There are two universal truths about being a homeowner. First, something is always broken. Second, Dad has a project that’s been “almost done” since 2019.
Maybe it’s the baseboards in the guest room. Maybe it’s the garage shelves. Maybe it’s that bathroom fan that currently sounds like a Boeing 747 preparing for takeoff. Every family has one.
With Father’s Day here, I thought we’d take a moment to celebrate the unsung heroes of homeownership: Dads!
Moms make a house a home. Dads make sure it doesn’t fall apart. Or at least they make sure it limps along long enough until the next trip to Home Depot.
The Life of a Homeowner Dad
Nobody notices the things that work. Nobody walks into a house and says: “Wow, your HVAC system is functioning beautifully.”
Nobody compliments a properly operating water heater. Nobody throws a party because all the doorknobs still turn correctly. But when something breaks? Suddenly Dad’s phone rings.
“Dad, the sink is leaking.”
“Dad, the garbage disposal sounds weird.”
“Dad, the thermostat is doing something.”
Nobody even knows what “something” means, but somehow Dad is expected to. And most of the time, he figures it out.
Because dads have an incredible ability to fix things using:
- A flashlight
- A ladder
- A YouTube video
- Three zip ties
- Language that would make a sailor blush
It’s practically a superpower.
The Graveyard of Unfinished Projects
Every dad has a list. Not a written list. A mental list. A list of projects that were supposed to take “about an hour.”
Projects such as:
- Installing new garage storage
- Replacing that cracked fence board
- Painting the guest bedroom
- Organizing the shed
- Fixing the gate latch
Unfortunately, these projects often compete with other important responsibilities like:
- Coaching sports
- Working
- Maintaining the yard
- Family events
- Watching the game
- Taking a well-earned nap in the recliner
As a result, many projects end up sitting in a strange state somewhere between “started” and “finished.” If you’ve ever seen blue painter’s tape on a wall for more than six months, you know exactly what I’m talking about.
A Salute to the Dads
Jokes aside, Father’s Day is a good reminder that dads often carry a lot of responsibility behind the scenes. They may not always get the credit. They may not always ask for recognition.
But they’re the ones climbing into crawlspaces, changing furnace filters, hauling mulch, cleaning gutters, moving furniture, and making emergency hardware store runs when a “simple project” suddenly requires four more trips for parts.
The reality is that a lot of what makes a house function every day comes from somebody putting in the effort to maintain it. For many families, that’s Dad.
So here’s a tip from your Realtor (and fellow Dad): If your dad has helped you move, fix something, build something, repair something, or answer a frantic homeowner question over the years, give him a call this weekend. And maybe buy him lunch. He’s earned it!
Summer Projects Dad Can Help You With
Now that you’ve bought him that shiny new tool for Father’s Day, let’s put it to work. Here are a few summer projects that are relatively inexpensive, improve functionality, and can even add a little value to your home.
1. Refresh Your Deck or Fence
A fresh cleaning and stain can completely transform outdoor spaces. In the Pacific Northwest, our decks take a beating from rain and moisture all winter long. A power wash and new coat of stain can make a tired deck look years younger. Bonus: Dad gets an excuse to use his new pressure washer, or gets another reason to go buy one!
2. Install Smart Home Features
Smart thermostats, video doorbells, smart locks, and exterior lighting are all fairly simple upgrades that improve convenience and security. Most installations take less than an afternoon (and only a few curse words) and can make your home feel significantly more modern. Dad will absolutely insist on reading the instructions. He will also absolutely refuse to admit he needed them.
3. Upgrade Garage Storage
You know that garage where you can’t find anything? This is the year to fix it. Wall-mounted storage systems, overhead racks, and workbench organization projects are relatively inexpensive and make a huge difference. Not only does it improve functionality, but organized storage is something buyers love seeing when it’s time to sell.
4. Replace Old Exterior Fixtures
Updating exterior lighting, house numbers, mailbox hardware, or front door hardware can dramatically improve curb appeal. Most of these projects cost a few hundred dollars or less but can make a home look noticeably newer and more inviting. Think of it as Botox for your house.
5. Create a Covered Outdoor Space
Okay, this one is a little bigger, but hear me out. We live in f*cking Oregon. It rains, a lot! Yet somehow more than half the patios in the Pacific Northwest are completely uncovered. Adding a pergola, patio cover, shade structure, or even a quality gazebo can significantly increase how often you actually use your outdoor space. And if Dad owns a tape measure, there’s a decent chance he’s already thinking about building one.
Final Thoughts
This Father’s Day, take a moment to appreciate the dads, stepdads, grandpas, father figures, and handyman heroes who keep homes running. The work often goes unnoticed.
The projects aren’t always finished. And there may or may not be a mysterious box of leftover screws in the garage from a project completed three years ago. But homes don’t maintain themselves. So here’s to the dads who keep the lights on, the water running, the doors closing properly, and the family moving forward.
Happy Father’s Day!
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