The Cheap Handyman - by B S Harris (Paperback)

About the Book

"When you're a homeowner, there's always something to fix. If it's not a leaky faucet or a squeaky step, it's stucco that falls off the ceiling every time someone slams the door or a washing machine that works only when it feels like it. And Brian Harris--a mostly retired, self-proclaimed jack-of-all-trades with a penchant for money-saving schemes--knows exactly what it's like to hit a few snags when tackling a project. Try as he might, simple chores invariably become costly comedies of errors. In The Cheap Handyman, Brian anthologizes his hard-won wisdom, teaching us how (not) to cut down a tree, what to do if a stray cat has kittens in your HVAC system, three very incorrect uses for duct tape, the manifold hazards of pool maintenance, why not to change your oil over a brick driveway, and more. His wryly straightforward voice paints a picture of everyday life that is as relatable as it is hilarious. If you (or someone you love) has ever thought "Sure, I can do that!" this book is for you." -- back cover

Book Synopsis

This Old House meets #HomeImprovementFails in this collection of laugh-out-loud essays, perfect for fans of Nick Offerman, CarTalk, or The Red Green Show.

"This book is all the fix-it you need for your hurt home improvement ego." --Harrison Scott Key, Thurber-prize winning author of The World's Largest Man

Meet Brian Harris, a (mostly) retired, self-proclaimed jack of all trades with a penchant for DIY and inventive money-saving schemes. Armed with a soldering gun, his trusty nine-foot ladder, and of course the handyman's secret weapon--duct tape--Brian's projects start out as simple chores: trim a tree branch, stain the cedar siding on his home...but all too often they end in costly disaster.

Sometimes he's trying to do the right thing, like the time he wrecked his pool while saving some baby ducks. Often, he channels his inner MacGyver: he once taped his hockey skate back together so he could finish his rec-league game, only to get suspended for falling on the referee when it broke (again). But usually he's just being, well, cheap! Like the time he inadvertently destroyed a $295 car key fob because he wouldn't pay the (outrageous) $10 fee to have the battery professionally replaced.

In The Cheap Handyman, Brian anthologizes his hard-won wisdom, teaching us how (not) to cut down a tree, what to do if a stray cat has kittens in your HVAC system, three very incorrect uses for duct tape, the manifold hazards of pool maintenance, and more.

Filled with unforgettable true stories from the everyday life of an average guy just trying to save a few bucks, The Cheap Handyman is a delightful tribute to anyone who has ever thought, "Sure! I can do that!"

Review Quotes

"Let the door knobs fall off and the faucets drip and the electrical fires burn! Put down the fire extinguisher and pick up The Cheap Handyman, because this book is all the fix-it you need for your hurt home improvement ego. B.S Harris makes you feel instantly better about your own ineptitude, I promise. Also, can someone call 9-1-1 for me?"

-- Harrison Scott Key, Thurber-prize winning author of The World's Largest Man

"There's no better way to avoid pain, expense, and embarrassment than by learning from somebody else's mistakes."

--Red Green

About the Author

B.S. Harris is a father and husband, now retired from his "day job" but still finding ways to fill his days as a cheap handyman. He grew up in an average, hard-working home and was fortunate enough to earn a post-secondary degree. He is an amateur athlete and musician, and a lifelong motorcycle enthusiast. He and his very understanding family live in Southern Ontario, Canada.