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QUESTION:if you didn't have a truck, could you still do your own
home repair?
I ask this because I am finding that most of my home improvement
projects require more hauling capacity than our little Neon has. I'm
not talking big stuff, like a truckload of drywall or lumber. Mostly
it's small stuff, like a few 8' lengths of 1x2, some mulch, a few
shrubs, etc. In otherwords, not enough to justify buying a truck.
For those of you in the same boat, how do you deal with the situation?
Rentals? Use a friend's truck? Delivery?
ANSWER: Absolutely! I have an old 1976 VW Rabbit. Because it's a hatchback, I can
easily carry the occasional 8 foot long lumber (between the front seats),
and still close the hatch. Or, I can fold up the back seat and carry
bulkier items (up to 3'x3' or so). Larger items like pipes or plywood can
often be purchased in smaller sections (at a higher price), making them
easier to cart home.
Of course, there are items that are beyond the capability of my little
trailer. I usually have big lumber loads delivered. There's no additional
cost for most loads. Large tool rentals can usually be delivered for a
fee as well. For example, I had a bobcat delivered earlier this year.
Cost something like $70 each way ($140 total), but even with the rental
fee the end cost was cheaper than hiring an excavator. A couple of years
back I had to haul a large load of lumber from a supplier a few hundred
miles up north. I rented a "Budget" truck online, we drove up north to
pick up the truck, got my load of lumber, and we drove home. I just
dropped the truck off at the local Budget office, total cost around $100
or so. Half the cost of delivery, and no waiting...
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