DIY experts and retailers are presumably keen for all of us to get stuck into our favourite home improvement projects – but not at any price.
Retailer Wickes has used its blog to highlight advice to enthusiasts reminding them not take on more than they can cope with, as being over-ambitious could have serious consequences for them and their homes.
It quotes journalist and broadcaster Michael Holmes, speaking on behalf of the National Home Improvement Show, as he advises people to start small, plan ahead and be prepared to hire professionals if the job is not one they can do alone – such as plumbing or electrical work.
Mr Holmes points out that as many as 200,000 people are hospitalised every year through accidents during DIY tasks, often due to the misuse of power tools. And a botched job can reportedly reduce the value of a property reduced by around five per cent.
He warns householders to be cautious in the face of a continued depressed economy that could see them keen to tackle projects as a way of saving cash: “It is recommended that homeowners start with a smaller, less challenging project to start off with while they get their DIY legs.”