Brits ‘Should Hire Tradesmen For Easter Home Improvements’
A significant number of Britons could be set to do some DIY over the long weekend, it has been suggested.
In research carried out by Halifax Home Insurance, it was claimed that a sizeable proportion of men may attempt some form of major home renovation project over the Easter break. Such work was indicated as potentially involving gas and electrical appliances, with a quarter of males attempting to fit a new kitchen. Meanwhile about the same proportion have tried electrical wiring.
However, it was indicated that many men are not keen on carrying out renovations to their home. The study also showed that about a third (32 per cent) of males state they feel pressured by their partners and family members to be competent with improvement work. In addition, one in three claim they do not like doing DIY but feel compelled to do it. Despite many men being unsure about their DIY skills, 31 per cent of women expect their partners to be competent with hammers, screwdrivers and other tools.
The financial services firm went on to report that should budding Handy Andys attempt to undertake a large job themselves they could be in danger invalidating their home insurance policies should a problem arise. If forced to shell out of their own pockets to meet the cost of repairs, this could put pressure on consumers’ capacity to meet other demands on their spending such as personal loan repayments, credit cards and mortgage costs.
Martyn Foulds, senior claims manager for Halifax Home Insurance, said: “TV home makeover shows make it all appear so simple and it’s easy to forget that these are highly-skilled professionals. In reality, trying to tackle certain areas you are not qualified for such as electrics or plumbing could invalidate your home insurance policy, leaving you liable for any subsequent damage. We’d recommend using a reputable tradesman rather than going it alone.”
It was pointed out that “some common DIY disasters” include drilling through water pipes and spilling paint on carpets. Accidental damage to sinks, baths and doors were also cited as adversities DIYers could come across and although it was stated that such occurrences are often covered by a buildings insurance policy, Halifax recommended that consumers check their premium before picking up any tools.
The study also shows that about half (47 per cent) of the over-55s are prepared to tile a bathroom themselves, in comparison to 30 per cent of 25 to 34-year-olds. Further research from the firm indicated 80 per cent of people living in the north-east are willing to strip a door or wall, with this proportion falling to 52 per cent of Londoners. Meanwhile, a quarter of residents in the north-west of the country have attempted to update their electrical fittings. Overall, those from the capital are the least likely to try a DIY project by themselves.
For those looking for an effective way to fund renovations to their house, taking out a homeowner loan could be advisable. In doing so consumers may find that they can not only afford the cost of materials to carry out projects - such as fitting a new kitchen or tiling a wall - but also the cost of hiring qualified professionals to carry out such work. This could be of assistance to a significant number of homeowners after a previous Halifax study showed that three-quarters of people have botched a DIY job after trying to copy something they had seen on a programme such as Changing Rooms.
Essentially Home Loans providing you with breaking homeowner loans news.