I confess to being a DIY hack. A mantra around my house is, "We don't hire work done!" When Wendy suggests we call a plumber or electrician, I make a show of how offended I am.
From time to time, the DIY bug takes over in my profesional life in managing district facilities. Last summer, I did take matters into my own hand and install a grease trap, but that's a story for another blog post.
However, I understand there are limits to the DIY mentality.
This summer our district passed a bond issue and completed improvments ahead of schedule and under budget. This was only possible because I did not try to DIY the work. From getting the issue on the ballot, advertising for proffesionals, evaluating contracts, and completing the work, professionals were involved. Writing specifications for HVAC bids, understanding asbestos abatement, and writing ballot language are specific skills. Evaluating the difference between RFQ's, RFP's, and RFB's is a specific skill. Knowing if a project qualifies for design build or quarunteed energy savings contractors is a specific skill.
Our district is more efficienct, safer, and more asthetically pleasing because of the experts who were involved in the work. Our community trusted the district to provide a great environment for students and teachers when they passed the bond issue.
Their expectations were met because of the professionals who assisted us along the way.
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