I never held back much when fixing my own stuff either. But it's a different game when I'm fixing things for someone else (e.g. a friend or family member) - then I really don't want to break or even scratch anything.

True.

Recently I found a lcd tv outside, turns out one chip was partially failing, now it seems stable. Then my neighbor told me it was hers, which was a bit fun and awkward; but to be honest, had they ask me to fix it I would never have touched it. It's easier when it's considered trash and nothing to lose.

> Then my neighbor told me it was hers

That is when you thank her for putting it out nicely instead of banging it up some more, implying that she did mean for someone else to come along and adopt it.

It was a 9 yo model so somehow they didn't really regret changing. It might sting sentimentally but 9yo is loong in these days for LCD TVs :)

Or depending on the particulars of your situation and the neighbour, you can instead turn that experience into a date :).