How Hard Can It Be?: ToolGirl's Favourite Repairs and Projects

A woman can do anything with the right tools


“You can pay big money for a self-esteem seminar, or you can buy yourself a cordless drill. I recommend the drill.”

In this collection of more than 50 ToolGirl articles, accompanied by lots of tips and photos, Mag Ruffman gives readers the know-how and courage to attempt their own minor home repairs and improvements. Mag covers a broad range of general home repair and maintenance, renovation and upgrading projects for would-be handypersons including the rank beginner, the first-time homeowner, and the apartment-dweller who’s fed up with a lazy super. With her sassy sense of humour – how can you not laugh when using tools like a butt gauge or stud finder? – Mag solves common household dilemmas. She encourages people to “unleash the do-it-yourself giant within” and tackle those intimidating projects that could otherwise result in expensive professional repair bills.

Mag prides herself on being unconventionally creative in her solutions. With characteristic flair and wit, she captures the essence of do-it-yourself repair. She doesn’t hide her bloopers and foibles, but shares them with her readers, proving that even experts can make the odd mistake.

…And, yes, ToolGirls do have more fun!

Mag Ruffman is an actress, writer, producer, and building contractor. She is the host, creator, and producer of the fix-it classic “A Repair to Remember” and the Gemini-nominated workshop series “Anything I Can Do.” Mag writes a syndicated weekly home projects column, ToolGirl, which appears in various newspapers across Canada and the U.S. Mag also works as a national celebrity spokesperson with Habitat for Humanity. She lives in Mansfield, Ontario.