Study shows 44% of people have used the wrong tools for a DIY task

One in five Brits has tried and failed to put up flat-pack furniture, a new study reveals.

The study of 2,000 people also found three in ten have tackled dangerous electrical or plumbing jobs with the wrong tools and confessed to having ‘no idea’ how to do the task.

Half of those surveyed would be unable to change a tyre on their car if called to do so, while less than a fifth were confident they could even keep a household plant alive based on previous failures.

Draper Tools commissioned the study into Britain’s home handiness in order to get a better picture of the nation’s home-improvement skills and worries ahead of the company’s new RedLine Tools launch.

The new research found more than a quarter of people had damaged walls trying to put a picture up. While a carefree 44 per cent had attempted a home improvement job knowing they had the wrong tools for the job.

And as many as one in three people say their tactic if something breaks is to live with it as long as possible until it becomes unavoidable.

But there is hope; the average person does start to get the hang of home improvements at the age of 29.

Tom Draper, Director at Draper’s Tools, which commissioned the research, said: “The research shows that when it comes to trying to improve our homes, it’s not always a straightforward process.

“There emerged in the results a lack of confidence in many areas of home improvement, along with a worrying trend to attempt tasks with the wrong equipment or knowledge.

“Despite the odd wobbly shelf or exasperation with flat pack furniture, it’s good to see that people are still taking up the challenge of improving what’s around them and putting their mark on things- as long as they have the proper tools for the job and are fully aware of the best and safest methods.”

The study also found four in ten struggles with painting walls or applying wallpaper, while the thought of bleeding a radiator or removing it from the wall is a fearsome prospect and features high on the list of jobs Brits are stumped about.

And previous experiences can live long in the memory - more than half of those polled said they actually dislike carrying out any sort of home improvement now.

The Draper Tools study found that millions of Brits still turn to other people for odd jobs rather than trying to fix the problem themselves – a fifth admit their dad is still the first person they call if they need something done.

While fifty per cent turn to how-to videos on the web in order to get by - with the internet by far the place Brits will most likely turn to for advice.

Over half of Brits dislike carrying out home repairs revealing they lack knowledge or motivation, while others said they were likely to do more harm than good.

Perhaps that explains why a fifth said their partner criticises their home improvement attempts.

Tom Draper of Draper Tools added: “There’s a tendency for people to call in their dad or rely on a partner to take on certain home improvement jobs but it’s important people develop their own capabilities.”

“Taking time to identify the proper tools for the job, consulting those with more experience or even turning to online videos from trusted providers can have you well equipped for tackling jobs in the right way. That’s why

Draper Tools has introduced RedLine, a brand new range of quality guaranteed, affordable tools designed to handle a variety of repairs and improvements from changing a tyre to hanging wallpaper. There’s also a range of how-to videos online at www.drapertools.com.”

THE JOBS BRITS STRUGGLE WITH MOST

1. Removing a radiator
2. Fixing a leaky tap
3. Replacing cracked tiles
4. Changing a light fixture
5. Hanging wallpaper
6. Changing a tyre
7. Painting the exterior of your house
8. Patching a hole in the wall
9. Putting up a shelf or wardrobe
10. Basic bicycle repairs
11. Bleeding a radiator
12. Wiring a plug
13. Checking tyre pressure and tread depth
14. Filling in the cracks or chips in a wall
15. Pruning the right plants in the garden

Source : Draper Tools Press Release