A new survey has revealed that two fifths of homeowners have been so inspired by TV programmes that they have undertaken a home maintenance project themselves
Homeowners are forking out over £300 on average to fix bungled DIY endeavours, inspired by TV home makeover shows, a survey reveals.
The study, commissioned by HomeServe, shows that 38% of homeowners have been emboldened by TV programmes to tackle home maintenance projects themselves. It seems the younger adults, those 34 and below, are particularly influenced by televised makeovers; around 64% have attempted DIY after watching these shows.
However, specialists caution against diving into DIY without adequate skills and preparedness, noting the potential financial pitfalls. According to the research, about 20% of enthusiastic DIYers have had to pay an average of £329 to rectify their botched work.
Half of homeowners expressed a desire for more knowledge to skill up before engaging in future DIY undertakings. Commenting on the trend, HomeServe engineer Chris Houghton said: “It’s no surprise that home renovation programmes are so popular, given that we spend so much time in our own home and wanting it to look its best.”
“We want to encourage the nation to tackle common fixes around the home efficiently and safely as well as upgrading their homes, but often TV shows make the job look easier than it is and can lead to costly errors.” For those seeking advice, HomeServe has set up a “knowledge hub” online, offering guides on various home maintenance tasks.
Mr Houghton said: “It’s always important to consult a professional if in doubt, to avoid causing additional damage or incur a cost.” July research from Opinium indicates that 2,000 UK homeowners have been holding off on necessary maintenance.
David Powell, an electrician expert at Electrical Safety First, warned: “Undertaking any electrical work yourself can have unforeseen consequences, including leaving you and the household exposed to electric shock, burns, or even fire.” He also pointed out that certain parts of the house must adhere to building regulations by law, and shoddy DIY jobs might not only result in a fine but could also force the homeowner to redo the work.
If you’re looking for a qualified technician, Electrical Safety First provides a helpful service – check their “find an electrician” feature at www.electricalsafetyfirst.org.uk/find-an-electrician.
