DIY Could End Up Costing You More Than You Think

According to recent research, carrying out DIY tasks in your home could end up being a bad idea and one that costs you more than you think and ends up with unfinished jobs. Rather than being tempted by the cheap DIY approach, it could be more cost-effective to employ qualified suppliers who can carry out the work properly in the first pace and prevent any costly mistakes.

The survey, which was conducted for Halifax Home Insurance, found that 72% of UK property owners have done DIY work in order to save on the cost. However, this isn't necessarily the best approach, as 27% of people made mistakes and 34% never completed the work, which could have an impact on the selling potential of the property.

Know Your Limits

The majority of the jobs that homeowners were willing to carry out themselves were minor tasks that don't require any specialist knowledge. For instance, 77% of those who took part in the survey would do the painting, with 75% working on the garden, just under 50% putting up shelves and just under 40% prepared to do wallpapering.

At some time, most homeowners will carry out DIY, but it's essential that you're properly prepared before you start. This includes having the necessary tools to hand, checking you have an accidental damage policy and ensuring you don't overstretch yourself.

Most people will understand that certain tasks, such as dealing with gas and electricity and installing a stainless steel balcony, require professional help, but if you're not confident in your abilities for any task, it might be cheaper in the long run to hire a specialist. Halifax Home Insurance had to pay out over £11 million last year for accidental damage alone, with some of the claims relating to DIY incidents.

Be Wary of Summer DIY

The summer months are apparently a boom period for DIY home improvements, which can cause an increase in calls to professionals to help when problems arise. Research carried out for NICEIC, the electrical contracting industry organisation, highlighted that 17% of their contractors experience a rise in these requests at this time of the year.

If you're tempted by DIY, always check first that it's achievable. If you're in any doubt, it's important to contact a qualified trades person, as this could save you a great deal of time, money and hassle.