The two decorative posts on our front stoop are starting to rot. Are these easy to replace?

Yes. Your first step is to support the roof load. Position a scrap of timber near the post you want to remove. Jack the scrap piece up using a pair of plastic chainsaw felling wedges nested against each other. Next, drive the wedges together just enough so that the old post dangles freely from the roof assembly. Using the post as a gigantic lever, twist it free from the roof structure. You’ll probably have to use a pry bar to coax it completely out. Ideally, you want to remove the post without wrecking it so that you can use it as a pattern to mark the replacement post. Cut the new post and insert it in the same position as the old one. Then gently remove the support timber by tapping out the wedges to lower the load on to the new post. Repeat with the other post.

Decorative turned posts have a top and a bottom, so make the shortening cut on the same end on both posts (usually the bottom). If you don’t do this, you’ll produce two posts of the correct length, but the turned section will be at a slightly different height on each. This is visually clumsy. Your neighbours won’t let you live it down.

1.

Use a drill and 12-mm twist drill bit to make a hole in the lid of the container. Position the hole as shown in the diagram.

2.

Secure the container in a vice, then drill a hole in its side with a 5-mm bit. Sand or file away any rough edges left from drilling.

3.

Decorate the lid with patterned duct tape, paint or decals. Remove the locknut from the switch, insert the switch into the hole in the lid and tighten the locknut on the other side.

4.

Cut two 1,2-metre pieces of wire. Strip 12 mm of insulation from each end. Chuck two ends of the wires into your drill and slowly rotate it to braid the wires, leaving about 30 cm unbraided at the end.

5.

Hook the two free ends of the braided wire to the buzzer wires and wrap with electrical tape.

6.

Pass the other end of the braided wires through the container. Attach one wire to the push button and the other to the snap connector.

7.

Cut a 15-cm piece of wire and strip 12 mm of insulation from its ends. Twist one end of the wire around the free contact on the switch and the other around the open wire on the battery snap connector. Insert a 9-volt battery into the snap connector and test your work. If the buzzer doesn’t sound, check each connection for tightness. If the buzzer works but is too loud, cover one or more of the speaker holes with tape.