Gen Z's Lack Of DIY Skills Is Costing Them Thousands Each Year

• A fifth of Gen Z’ers don’t know what a spanner is, while 30% couldn’t identify a flathead screwdriver
• Nearly a quarter could not change a ceiling light bulb - with 20% thinking going up a ladder is ‘too dangerous’
• Just a third could identify a car battery in an engine bay
• Most Brits agree that practical ‘home workshop’ skills are a dying art amongst younger generations - and young adults agree

Brits are moving from being a nation of DIY-ers to a country of GOTDITs - Get Others To Do It - according to new research. Not only is this leading to a lack of basic knowledge when it comes to straightforward, practical tasks, it is also costing them fortunes.

The figures - from Halfords - show that Gen Z’ers aged 18-27 spend a huge £1,300 a year calling in professionals to do basic jobs they ‘could probably do themselves’ with a bit of basic knowledge of tools and skills. This compares to just £386 for Gen X adults (aged 44-59) and £253 for Baby Boomers (aged 60-78).

Just 57% of Gen Z’ers say they would know how to add air to a car tyre - something which can easily be done at any petrol station or at home. For many a trip to the garage would be needed with 22% saying they would require a professional to top up their air, with the same amount (22%) saying they’d need a parent to do it.

Even fewer Gen Z’ers could fit a wiper blade - something which can take less than a minute and usually just slides into place. Just a third (35%) could do this themselves, with nearly half (44%) saying they would pay a professional to do this.

In addition, less than two thirds (64%) say they would be confident cleaning a car - with 27% saying they would need a professional to do this and one in ten (9%) saying they’d get a parent to.

Getting a pro to change a lightbulb?

This lack of practical knowledge amongst younger generations isn’t just limited to motoring matters. Incredibly, 21% of Gen Z’ers and 22% of Millennials (aged 28-43) say they would call in a professional to change the bulb on a ceiling spotlight in their home. Similar numbers (22% of Gen Z and 19% of Millennials) would get a parent to do it.

When asked why they could not change a simple ceiling lightbulb, 24% of Gen Z’ers worried it would be ‘too hot’. Meanwhile 68% of Millennials would not change a light bulb because they would ‘not want to mess around with electrics’. Roughly a fifth of both (20% of Millennials and 18% of Gen Z’ers) say that they couldn’t change a lightbulb because it ‘could be dangerous to use a ladder’. More than a tenth of Gen Z’ers (11%) would even call in a professional to hang a picture frame.

Not understanding engine bay-sics

An image of an engine bay was found to flummox most younger Brits. When shown a picture of a clearly displayed car engine bay, just 34% of Gen Z’ers could identify the battery. This compares to 54% of Baby Boomers. Meanwhile even fewer Gen Z’ers (20%) and 28% of Millennials could identify an alternator - compared to 45% of Baby Boomers.

Not knowing a spanner from a screwdriver could be the reason many younger people struggle with practical tasks. Fewer than half of Gen Z’ers (47%) could identify a jack (when shown images of five items to choose from) compared to 87% of Baby Boomers and 88% of those aged 79-96. Perhaps even more worrying, 30% could not identify a flathead screwdriver and 21% could not identify a spanner.

Is practical knowledge a dying art?

It seems younger and older generations agree - young people today are simply not as practical as older generations. Seven in ten of all UK adults (69%) say this and 59% of Gen Z’ers agree with this too.

The cost of this is clear - despite being most likely to earn the least, Gen Z’ers spend far more than any other generation calling in professionals to do basic jobs. They estimate they spend £1,300 each year to call them in to do jobs they ‘could probably do themselves with a bit of knowledge’. This compares to a UK average of £622 and just £253 for Baby Boomers and £247 for the older ‘Silent Generation’ . 

Reacting to the findings, Andy Turbefield, Halfords Motoring Expert, says: “The results show very clearly that the ability to do basic, practical tasks is being lost amongst younger generations.

“Motoring knowledge in particular appears to be on the decline, with many reluctant to take on even the most basic tasks such as replacing windscreen wipers - which is why we offer free fitting with ones purchased at Halfords.

“We should perhaps cut younger adults some slack. Engine bays today are far more complicated than when Gen X’ers and Baby Boomers were young, and are often largely covered, making it harder to get an understanding of what goes where. For those keen to upskill themselves, we also offer a wide range of tools at all price points and for all skill levels.”

Source : Halfords

Image : Denphumi / shutterstock / 179752703 

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