For nearly 15 years, Jeff Patterson has been teaching homeowners the ins and outs of do-it-yourself bathroom remodeling, from plumbing to drywall finishing. Better known online as Home Repair Tutor, he’s amassed nearly 2 million followers across YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and TikTok. As part of our On Point series, which features insight from industry experts on the latest topics and trends in their respective fields, we spoke with Jeff to learn more about his background and the tips he has for fellow homeowners.
Tell us about your background in remodeling/DIY.
I started remodeling homes over 20 years ago while buying rental properties in Pittsburgh. That progressed into a bathroom renovation business because I really enjoyed focusing on one room. Bathrooms are especially appealing to me because they’re used every day and require multiple skillsets like carpentry, plumbing, waterproofing, and tile work. The online courses on homerepairtutor.com deep-dive into that process and share lots of helpful details.
How did Home Repair Tutor come to be?
I began Home Repair Tutor in 2012 as a way to share home renovation tips. I figured it might be nice to show people what I was doing to save money, and maybe it could help them do the same thing. So I started a YouTube channel that spring and was surprised to see the positive response. Fourteen years later, I’m doing the same thing, and it’s still fun.
Bathroom remodels are a convergence of several skillsets—plumbing, tiling, electric, drywall finishing, painting, and more. Is there one aspect that you found the most daunting early in your career (or even still today)? Is there one you enjoy the most?
The most daunting part of a bathroom remodel is having a high-level overview of how all the skillsets and trades work together. It’s an enormous real-life puzzle, and if one part is done wrong, it can affect everything else. For that reason, it’s important to understand all the trades to avoid mistakes. I really enjoy drywall work, though, because it’s one of the final touches that can make or break a bathroom. If the drywall looks amazing, the bathroom will, too.
Any plans to branch out into other aspects of home repairs/DIYs?
Right now, I’m focusing a lot on small plumbing, drywall, and tile projects that anyone can do themselves. These projects can save homeowners a lot of money and also empower them to take on larger projects. That feeling of accomplishment is important for everyone, not just in home projects, but in other parts of life, too.
You’ve featured several ClarkDietrich products in your past videos. What are your favorite go-to products? What do you love about them?
I love Strait-Flex® Crack-Tape and Strait-Flex® Original corner bead. The Crack-Tape is great for fixing cracked drywall or plaster walls/ceilings. And the Original corner bead is fantastic because it won’t tear like paper and provides a straight corner that’s easy to paint. Knowing which products to use for drywall can save a lot of time and frustration. Plus, it’ll help people get the results they want.
What advice would you give someone new to remodeling/DIY?
One of the biggest mistakes I see people make is taking on too many projects at one time. Focus on one project. For example, if you’ve never painted a room, choose the spare bedroom. Refine your skills in that room, then move on to the next. Don’t remodel every room of the house at the same time. That’s a surefire way to get frustrated and have your projects stall out.