Where I've lived here I've found it invaluable to know a person or small company who are jack's of all trades, but not quite masters. Plumbing, basic electric, cement and tile repairs, painting...basically anything minor to minor+ that needs to be done, but you simply don't feel like it, or capable of doing.
You latch on to one of those guys, or small company, they are worth their weight in gold if they're good IMO, and you save a ton of money compared to the big specialists. Pete
