Necessity has taught me how to use a hammer, a saw, a rule and drywall knives, among other tools. I have become fairly competent at doing things around a typical American home, and though I am no skilled carpenter, I am able to perform yeoman’s work with hammer and nails. I have even branched out into stone cutting, brickwork and furniture building.

I don’t like all aspects of repair and renovation, though. Taping and finishing drywall is something that, though I can do with aplomb, I am not…