Have drill, will travel

Lower interest in repairs keeps handymen busy

By Jomay Steen, Journal staff | Friday, February 08, 2008

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No matter what weekend projects lay in store, there’s always someone in the building or neighborhood who can weigh in when solving a project puzzler. These are the people with the right tools, the right skills and the right attitude who make the job go better.

They’re the elusive, self-taught do-it-yourselfers who know how to fix things and own multiple ladders and several power drills. Beyond that, they know that the ground must be compacted before pouring the driveway, exactly how much paint will cover the walls and how to put a motor back into a dishwasher.

At the Pennington County Buildings and Grounds, Kent Ball and Paul McQuilkin are two of a working crew of people who regularly fix things. Although they receive training and certification for much of their trade, they began tearing down and replacing parts when they were young, out of curiosity.

“I always tore things apart with the thought that there was somebody out there who knew how to fix it if I didn’t know how to put it together,” Ball said.

Over the years, Ball, 48, has helped put up drywall, textured and painted the walls, worked on flooring and even lent a hand with a sprinkler system. He looks at it not so much as a chore, but as a way to learn something new.

“Sometimes my wife volunteers me, which reminds me that I have to look at a dryer tonight,” Ball said.

Both Ball and McQuilkin agree that people seem less able to take care of their own handyman projects, even the small ones.

“Too many people are too busy playing with their computer or Play Station instead of learning to do these things,” McQuilkin said.

Alice Blocker of Pennington County Buildings and Grounds said people in the past had to learn to do projects on their own or go without.

“In our parents’ day, you couldn’t run to the store and buy new,” she said. “We’re part of a disposable generation.”

Brothers Scott Ashley and Steve Ashley of We Do Re-Do, a local handyman business, agree with Blocker about being a part of the disposable society.

“It’s pretty common; people just don’t know to fix things,” Scott Ashley said.

He said that overall, people have less time to tinker with projects; maybe they’re older, can’t do projects anymore or haven’t the tools for it.

“It’s kind of funny, but I believe there’s less interest in learning to fix things,” he said.

The Ashleys, Scott, 53, and Steve, 57, grew up being those guys who were great to have around to pitch in when painting the house, replacing doorknobs or hanging curtain rods.

“We both retired and both of us had since we were young—we did home repair, weekend painting; the neighbors would ask us if they needed things fixed or painting,” Scott Ashley said.

They avoid big construction jobs, roofing, electrical jobs and plumbing, “those things need a licensed electrician or plumber or roofer—we just don’t do it.”

But based on how busy they were with just their friends, they thought they could make a business out of being handymen. They gathered up their tools and began work.

“We combined our tools and had a good start, purchasing what we need as we figure out what we’re missing,” Scott Ashley said.

They were sure there was a need for their talents.

“Everyone used to have to figure out how to fix things on their own. You don’t see that much anymore. We’re more of a disposable society,” he said.

Tool box starter kit

It’s not your typical box of chocolates, but Scott and Steve Ashley of Rapid City say this will last longer. Put tools in a plastic or cardboard shoebox and use the next time your doorknob falls off. The basics:

Hammer

Good screwdriver set of different sizes, Philips and regular heads

Assorted pliers

Caulk gun and caulk

Hack saw

Cordless drill

Contact Jomay Steen at 394-8418 or jomay.steen@rapidcityjournal.com.