DIY
More than nine in ten Brits don’t rate their DIY and home improvement skills highly, according to a new survey. In fact, one in ten describe their DIY skills to be ‘extremely poor’.
Easter is a very popular time for making home improvements. However those preparing to undertake DIY should take heed: be well prepared and plan your project, or you’re likely to go the way of nearly a quarter of the nation’s DIY-ers, who admit they have been forced to call in the professionals after a project has gone wrong. Interestingly, 6% of them have kept this revelation from their families and partners.
The survey has been published by Wilkinson in the run up to the Easter holidays, and reveals that nearly a third of the UK’s homeowners will take part in some sort of DIY activity over the Easter weekend.
Nearly a third of people admit they are only doing the work themselves because they can’t afford to hire a professional. But, as TV home improvement guru ‘Handy’ Andy Kane is quick to point out: “DIY is only as hard as you make it, and you don’t always need an expert carpenter or interior decorator to do a good job. The most important thing is to plan in advance and make sure you have the right tools for the job”.
Rather than being a chore to be suffered or feared, DIY projects and spring cleans can be fun, and satisfying. It is a great way to bring people together: three quarters of those surveyed will not be doing it alone, with partners, friends and family all chipping in.
“There are some simple tips to make sure that your DIY projects go as smoothly as possible,” Handy Andy says. “It’s not about being an expert carpenter or painter, but about good project management.” And here’s his advice:
1. Plan what you need and how much. Nothing disrupts a project like running out of paint or realising your step ladder doesn’t reach the tops of your walls. Make a list before you go to your local store to make sure you get everything you need.
2. Don’t get disheartened if your project doesn’t look how you imagined it half way through. Keep going and stick to your plan, and trust that when you put everything back together it will look good.
3. Be precise, and don’t cut corners. A millimetre here and there may not sound like much, but when you are staring at a wonky shelf it can mean starting all over again.
4. Before you start any DIY or decorating, give the room you are working on a thorough clean. Wipe down walls and skirting boards to be painted, and clean and cover any furniture. This will make the final result look better, and minimise problems later on with flaking paint or uneven wallpaper.
5. Be safe. Make sure you wear gloves and protective goggles where necessary, and tie back long hair. If you start to get tired take a tea break, and don’t rush jobs.
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