Nearly all Brits are willing to roll up their sleeves and tackle home improvement projects themselves, but they don’t always work out as they should.
Brits have shelled out over £5 billion to professional tradespeople to rectify their bungled DIY attempts. A survey of 2,000 individuals revealed that 93% have tried their hand at tasks such as installing pendant lighting, re-plumbing a radiator, and even demolishing a wall.
However, many were unsuccessful, with 40% having to cough up an average of £239 to bring in the experts to sort out their blunders – totalling a whopping £5,082,996,813 nationwide. Consequently, 69% confessed that, looking back, they probably shouldn’t have attempted some of the tasks. Now a third are now more wary about tackling larger DIY projects.
The study was conducted by UK electrical certification and training body NICEIC, which is urging people to rely on professionals rather than attempting to do it themselves.
A representative for NICEIC commented: “Most of us have had an attempt at DIY, but it’s not always gone as planned.
“DIY going wrong can not only hit you in the wallet if there’s an issue, it can also be genuinely dangerous.
“This is particularly true when it comes to electrical work which really should be left to the professionals.”
In an average year, those who have had to call in a pro to fix a job will do so twice as they found themselves stuck halfway through or didn’t have the right tools.
More worryingly, 43% have made a dangerous mistake when fixing their homes. This included causing a pipe or leak to burst (37%), or receiving an electric shock (3%), or falling off a ladder or stool (19%).
The spokesperson for NICEIC added: “DIY can be incredibly rewarding, but when it comes to jobs that involve electrics, the risks simply aren’t worth it.
“Calling in a professional ensures the work is done safely, correctly, and in compliance with regulations, protecting your home and your health.”