Lately, we’ve been preparing our guest bedroom for a new arrival; today’s task was installing black out blinds and a curtain rod. Sounded easy enough. In North America, we’d always been pretty good at doing things around the house. All it should take, really, is a screwdriver and maybe a drill, right?
DIY Impossible
AT Asia
In Hong Kong, DIY is almost a foreign concept. The walls of most apartments are concrete or brick, layered with plaster. Complicating matters, the electric, water and plumbing lines run through the walls in a somewhat random pattern. One wrong step with the drill and we have major damage. Even something as seemingly simple as hanging a picture can create trouble – masonry hangers are available, but have a weight limitation – make a mistake with the positioning and you’re left with a permanent mess.
And so, this morning I was busy juggling contractors, trying to corral the dogs into a safe area where they don’t get in the way, but can still see the action, and trying to be ever so helpful, walking around with my tape measure, really just getting in the way.
-Liz
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I'm not sure about Hong Kong, but in Korea it's very quick and cheap to get someone to do these type of DIY projects for you - which is another reason why DIY is virtually unheard of.
When I needed cutains and shades needed for our new house in the US, for example, I was sure to get them made while in Seoul. I had a huge selection of fabrics and styles and the entire house (2100 sq feet w/high ceilings, lots of windows) of curtains and roman shades cost less than US$1000.
When my mother-in-law's (in Seoul) leather sofas looked worn, she sent them out to be recovered. The sofas were returned by the end of the day with a goregous leather covering and it cost around $US300.
It's easy to be spoiled by not having to DIY!
view Carson's Mom's profile
I have this exact problem as well. 90% of my walls are concrete and hanging just a mirror is a big deal. Does anyone have any advise on how to hang things on concrete walls without having to hire someone? It seems silly to have to hire a person to hang a picture :)
view FC's profile
I have this problem (concrete and plaster) but I drill holes anway. Just make sure you get the masonry drill. It's more durable than the regular bits and cuts through concrete like butter. It also minimzes the possibility of the plaster cracking on you. When it's time to close the holes up again, you can use spacle, but some white toothpaste and paint will do. The one problem I don't have is the errant wiring/plumbing behind walls. Maybe if you use smaller screws it won't be as big of a problem. (Just don't hang heavy stuff.)
view somedudeinvicenza's profile