UK DIY News
Survey Reveals Gardens & Bedrooms A Key Focus For DIY-ers
A study by conveyancing experts True Solicitors has revealed the UK cities searching the most for DIY tips online, the most popular DIY jobs, and those that could cost up to £10k to repair if they go wrong.
UK Cities Searching The Most For DIY Tips Online
| Rank | City |
| 1 | Edinburgh |
| 2 | Bristol |
| 3 | Sheffield |
| 4 | Leeds |
| 5 | Glasgow |
| 6 | Coventry |
| 7 | Liverpool |
| 8 | Birmingham |
| 9 | Cardiff |
| 10 | Sunderland |
| 11 | Stoke-On-Trent |
| 12 | Nottingham |
| 13 | London |
| 14 | Manchester |
| 15 | Leicester |
Key Findings
Brits are focusing more on their gardens and bedrooms than any other rooms in the house. Searches between February and March 2020 for ‘Gardening DIY’ increased by over half (57%), suggesting Brits are getting their exercise outdoors in their garden, while searches for ‘Bedroom DIY’ have also increased by 25%. However, searches for how to improve kitchens, living rooms and bathrooms have all decreased – some by as much as 20%.
The Most Popular Gardening and Bedroom DIY Jobs
‘Grow your own vegetables’ is the most searched for gardening job, with an 81% increase in searches for the past month. ‘How to paint a fence’ comes a close second, with searches rising by 74% in the past month.
When it comes to the bedroom, ‘how to paint a bedroom’ is the most searched for bedroom DIY job of the past month, with an increase in searches of 30%. Brits are also attempting to become more sustainable during the lockdown, with searches for ‘upcycling bedroom furniture’ rising by 3%.
DIY Fails That Cost The Most To Fix
In a bid to avoid costly household repairs True Solicitors have gathered a list of the DIY projects that can cost up to £10,000 and potentially devalue your home should they go wrong, alongside helpful solutions.
https://www.true.co.uk/news/when-diy-goes-wrong-the-diy-projects-that-could-cost-brits-nearly-10000/
| Position | DIY Project | Cost To Fix | Solution |
| 1 | Fixing your own roof | £5,300 | Save £10k from house value by speaking to a roofer. |
| 2 | Repainting your home | £2,100 | Use neutral colours to add £1k to home value. |
| 3 | Knocking down a wall | £1,200 | Rearrange furniture to create more space and save thousands. |
| 4 | Re-tiling your kitchen | £600 | Use vinyl to save hundreds. |
| 5 | Plumbing your own toilet | £300 | Save hundreds by speaker to a plumber, at a cost of £20 per hour. |
| Total Cost | £9,500 |
Five Quick Wins to Add Thousands to Your Property
Don’t fret if you want to spend this time of self-isolation DIY-ing your house, here are True Solicitors top tips:
1) Rearrange furniture to create more space and change the dynamic of the room – saving £1,200.
2) Tidy up after your pets and children to save £11,500 from your house value.
3) Order vinyl for your worktops and flooring, which can take a lot less time to fit but also cost a fraction of the price of tiling. You can save £300 by opting for vinyl.
4) Replace your front door for instant kerb appeal. A new door can cost £750 but can make selling quicker and easier.
5) Small construction projects, such as revamping your porch, could see the amount you invest doubled when it comes to selling your property in the future.
Source : True Solicitors
Insight provides a host of information I need on many of our company’s largest customers. I use this information regularly with my team, both at a local level as well as with our other international operations. It’s extremely useful when sharing market intelligence information with our corporate office.
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