AI Prompts for Repair Guides

Something is wrong in my home and I need to figure out what it is.

Symptom: [describe what you see, hear, or smell — e.g. water stain on ceiling, outlet sparking, floor squeaking]
Location: [which room, which wall/floor/ceiling]
When it happens: [constant / intermittent / only when X happens]
Home details: [age of home, type of construction if known]

Give me:
1. The 3 most likely causes, ranked by probability
2. How to confirm which one it is (simple tests I can do)
3. Which ones I can fix myself vs. need a professional
4. The danger level (safe to wait / fix this week / call someone today)
5. What to tell a contractor if I need to hire one

I have a plumbing issue: [describe — e.g. dripping faucet, slow drain, running toilet, low water pressure].

Fixture type: [brand/model if known, or describe it]
How long: [when did it start]
What I’ve tried: [anything you’ve already done]
Tools I own: [list any tools you have]

Give me:
1. A step-by-step repair guide (numbered, with estimated time per step)
2. Exact parts I need (with sizes — don’t just say "new washer")
3. Tools required (and what to use if I don’t have the exact tool)
4. When to stop and call a plumber instead
5. How to shut off the water before starting

I need to fix [describe damage: small nail hole / medium dent / large hole / crack / water damage] in my [drywall / plaster / other] wall.

Damage size: [approximate dimensions]
Location: [near corner, middle of wall, near ceiling]
Wall finish: [smooth, textured, painted, wallpapered]
Paint match available? [yes / no / not sure]

Give me:
1. The right repair method for this specific damage size
2. Materials list with exact quantities
3. Step-by-step instructions (include drying times between steps)
4. How to match the existing wall texture
5. How to match the paint (even without the original color code)

I’m having an electrical issue: [describe — e.g. outlet not working, light flickering, breaker keeps tripping, switch feels warm].

Home age: [approximate year built]
Panel type: [breaker box / fuse box / don’t know]
Recent changes: [new appliance, renovation, storm]

Give me:
1. Safety check — is this dangerous? Should I cut power first?
2. Simple diagnostic steps I can safely do myself
3. The most likely cause
4. Whether this is a DIY fix or requires a licensed electrician
5. What to tell the electrician to save time and money on the service call

I’m building a home repair toolkit. I’m a [beginner / intermediate / experienced] DIYer.

Home type: [apartment / condo / house]
I currently own: [list any tools]
Budget: [$amount]
Most common issues I face: [e.g. hanging shelves, fixing leaks, painting]

Give me:
1. A prioritized list of tools to buy first (most versatile first)
2. Specific product recommendations with prices
3. Tools to skip (overhyped or rarely needed)
4. How to store them properly to make them last
5. One multi-tool that replaces 3+ single-purpose tools

My [appliance name and brand/model if known] is [describe the problem: not heating, making noise, leaking, displaying error code].

Error code (if any): [code]
Age of appliance: [approximate]
Warranty status: [under warranty / expired / don’t know]
What I’ve already tried: [anything]

Give me:
1. What this symptom usually means for this type of appliance
2. A diagnostic checklist (things to check before calling repair)
3. Step-by-step fix if it’s a common DIY repair
4. Estimated repair cost if I hire someone (so I can decide: repair vs. replace)
5. Whether it’s worth repairing based on the appliance’s age and cost