The DIY jobs homeowners should never tackle themselves

Rising prices and long waiting lists for skilled tradespeople are encouraging more homeowners to tackle major renovation projects themselves.

New research from BuildSafe found that 70% of DIYers were primarily motivated by saving money. However, 79% underestimated how long their project would take, while 68% encountered unexpected costs or delays.

Only 27% felt fully confident in their abilities, with almost half willing to attempt projects despite feeling nervous about the work involved.

Homeowners were generally comfortable with decorating, tiling and garden improvements, but BuildSafe said electrical installations, complex plumbing, roofing, structural alterations and foundation work should be left to qualified professionals.

Mistakes in these areas can present serious safety risks and leave households paying for costly remedial work.

Alex Lyons, commercial director at BuildSafe, said: “DIY can be a great way for homeowners to save money, but there is a very important distinction between doing a job yourself and taking responsibility for an entire building project.

“Painting a room is very different from coordinating a kitchen renovation involving a plumber, electrician, plasterer, flooring contractor and kitchen fitter.”

The order in which work is completed can be just as important as the quality of each individual job.

BuildSafe found that 43% of DIYers underestimated the importance of project sequencing. Structural alterations, roofing and damp problems should generally be addressed before plumbing and electrical services are installed.

Plastering and repairs to walls and ceilings can then take place, followed by flooring, kitchens, bathrooms and other fixed installations. Decorating and cosmetic finishes should usually come last.

Getting this order wrong could mean completed work has to be damaged or removed to give another contractor access.

Managing different trades is another challenge, underestimated by 51% of those surveyed. A delay involving one contractor can affect several others, potentially adding weeks to the schedule.

BuildSafe recommends planning the entire renovation before work begins, identifying which trades depend on others and including contingency money for delays and unexpected repairs.

Homeowners should also decide when they will stop attempting a job themselves and call a professional.

Mr Lyons added: “The best DIY projects are not necessarily the ones where homeowners do everything themselves. They are the ones where homeowners understand what they can safely and realistically do.”

With more than half of tradespeople reportedly spending between 10% and 30% of their workload correcting DIY mistakes, knowing where to draw the line could prove the biggest saving of all.