Nearly 40 Percent Of Brits Will Tackle DIY Plumbing Jobs

• Plumbing is the most common DIY task across the nation, followed by electrical and building improvements
• Home insurance expert warns consumers of the costly consequences of doing it yourself

With two bank holidays on the horizon, many Brits are gearing up for some well-earned downtime – or a spot of DIY.

The popularity of DIY may be driven by the ongoing cost-of-living crisis and the expense of hiring professional tradespeople – a challenge possibly exacerbated by the widespread shortage of skilled labour across the UK.

A new survey of 2,000 adults, commissioned by specialist home insurance provider Homeprotect, reveals a rise in DIY plumbing.

39 percent of UK homeowners admit attempting tasks like fixing taps or installing washing machines themselves. Among the generations, Gen Z were the most likely to attempt DIY, with only 40 percent saying they had never tried any of the tasks listed in the survey. In contrast, the Silent Generation were the least likely, with 74 percent saying they had never attempted them.

This may be indicative of the younger generation’s confidence in online video tutorials and ongoing financial strain in a cost-of-living crisis era.

Regionally, the East Midlands are the biggest fans of DIY plumbing, with more than half (52%) admitting to attempting it – the highest rate in the UK. In contrast, Scotland (31%) and the East of England (33%) had the lowest engagement in plumbing tasks, although significant numbers still undertaking jobs without professional input.

But it’s not just plumbing, the survey also revealed Brits are willing to partake in other risky DIY tasks...

32 percent of Gen Z respondents admitted to either making alterations without checking regulations or modifying structural elements, such as removing walls, without the necessary permissions or inspections – making them the most prominent unregulated renovators than other generations.

This again highlights how financial pressures and the drive to save money may be pushing younger generations to take matters into their own hands, often bypassing professional help altogether or avoiding costly permissions and inspections.

Some Brits are taking DIY to even more dangerous heights, with more than 1 in 8 people attempting electrical jobs without the help of a qualified electrician. While plumbing remains the most common DIY task nationwide, electrical work takes second place in Wales and Greater London, where 16 percent of residents in both regions admitted to tackling electrical jobs without qualified electricians.

David Joyson, Chief Customer Officer at Homeprotect commented on the findings:

“With 40 percent of UK homeowners turning to DIY plumbing tasks like fixing taps or installing washing machines, it’s important to remember that even small mistakes can have serious consequences. What may seem like an easy money-saver can become a costly repair job – and in many cases, damage by your own hand could invalidate your home insurance.

“Mistakes in DIY plumbing can lead to significant water damage, and the cost of removing and restoring that damage is often far greater than simply hiring a qualified professional from the outset. What may be a straightforward job for a trained expert can turn into a far more expensive issue if things go wrong.

“We’re also seeing worrying trends in other areas of DIY. Some homeowners are carrying out electrical work without a qualified electrician – which can be extremely dangerous and, in the event of an accident, could seriously impact your insurance claim. Likewise, modifying structural elements, such as removing walls without building control approval, can not only compromise the safety of your home but also breach regulations and invalidate cover.

“To ensure full peace of mind, it’s worth checking whether you have accidental damage or home emergency cover included in your policy. These add-ons can provide valuable support if things go wrong. Ultimately, while tackling DIY jobs yourself might seem appealing, it’s always best to weigh the risks – and when in doubt, bring in a qualified expert to do the job.”

Source : Homeprotect

Image : Sinenkiy / iStock / 1501145625

For all the very latest news and intelligence on the UK's largest home improvement and garden retailers, sign up for the Insight DIY weekly newsletter.