DIY or DI-Why?
NORTH WEST HOMEOWNERS’ ‘HAVE A GO’ MENTALITY COULD BE PUTTING HOMES IN DANGER
- More than a third of North West homeowners are more likely to attempt DIY in the home since lockdown
- That is in spite of 63% ranking their DIY skills as ‘average’ or below
- Over three quarters of households in the region do their own DIY as opposed to calling in a professional – yet 67% admit to calling in a professional tradesperson to sort out a botched electrical job; often costing thousands
- Almost a third (32%) of homeowners in the region would be happy to have a go at general electrical work in the home despite having no previous experience or qualifications
- In response, leading electrical certification body, NICEIC, is encouraging homeowners across the nation to ‘ban the bravado’ and go pro when it comes to electrical DIY in the home
Whilst Brits may be known for their ‘have a go’ mentality, when it comes to safety in the home a can-do attitude may be putting UK homes and families in danger.
According to new research by NICEIC, the UK’s leading electrical certification body, more than more than a third (34%) of North West homeowners are more likely to attempt their own DIY in the home since the Coronavirus lockdowns – in spite of 63% of respondents ranking their DIY skills as ‘average’ at best.
Lockdowns aside, over three quarters (78%) of households in the region will attempt to do their own DIY in the home as opposed to using a professional; yet 67% admit to having to call in a tradesperson to sort out a botched electrical job. Where a professional has been called in to rectify a DIY project which has gone wrong, a fifth (20%) have ended up with a bill in excess of £1,000 – but this has even exceeded £25,000 in some cases. Some 22% wish they’d got a professional in to start with.
Ironically, a desire to save money is the main reason for those in the North West carrying out DIY themselves (72%) – but almost one third (31%) still prefers to avoid having people in their home due to COVID-19.
The research, which surveyed 2,000 UK homeowners, also found that 53% of homeowners across the UK would be happy to ‘have a go’ at DIY in the home without any prior experience or formal qualifications – and it’s not just painting and decorating. Almost a quarter (24%) would dabble in general electricals, 51% in landscaping and 25% in plumbing.
Paul Collins, Head of Technical Services at NICEIC, said: “With so many Brits forced to stay home during the national lockdowns of 2020 and 2021, its unsurprising to see that so many UK homeowners are willing to get stuck in and ‘have a go’ when it comes to DIY. It is worrying, however, that so many are willing to do this in spite of having a clear lack of experience, qualifications or even ability – especially when it comes to home electrics.
“A botched electrical job can easily lead to hefty costs and further underlying issues that may not become noticeable until it’s too late, putting UK homes and families in danger.
“With 67% of North West homeowners admitting to calling out a professional when things go wrong, the message is clear – when it comes to electrics in the home, leave it to the professionals and use a certified electrical contractor such as those with the NICEIC; it could mean the difference between life and death.”
And it would seem a reluctance to ask for help or a belief that ‘I can do it myself’ (59%) has led to almost a third (32%) of the region’s homeowners waiting until the absolute worst-case scenario before calling a professional tradesperson to fix a botched DIY job in the home. In fact, over a fifth (21%) of those surveyed admit to ‘Googling it’ and giving it a go when it comes to a DIY job they haven’t done before.
Martyn Allen, Technical Director for Electrical Safety First, comments: “There is only so much that online videos can tell you. Even watching the better ones will not give you the knowledge or experience to carry out more complicated tasks. Ask yourself: ‘If I have to Google this, should I really be doing it?’ If in any doubt, get a professional in – it could not only save you a lot of time and money in the long run, but could also avoid a serious electrical accident impacting you and your loved ones.”
To find your nearest NICEIC Certified Contractor, please visit NICEIC.