DIY mishaps compounding debt concerns for many?

Homeowners in the UK who decide to undertake DIY to save cash may find the practice is having the opposite effect and exacerbating their debt concerns.

This is because new research from Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks has revealed house-proud Brits spent a combined £235 million putting right the mistakes they made when trying to carry out home improvements themselves last year.

The investigation discovered one-in-ten of those who had attempted DIY had ended up paying out up to £500 to fix the problem they had created.

It means almost five million British households botched jobs in regards to decorating, plumbing, plastering and gardening chores in the last 12 months.

Moreover, 26 per cent of the 2,000 respondents said they wish they had never undertaken the work themselves, rather they should have called in a professional to carry out the projects properly.

In geographic terms, the study found Londoners were the least likely to try their hand at DIY, with 42 per cent claiming they would not attempt the work themselves.

And people from the capital also proved to be the least competent at the tasks, with 30 per cent admitting to making a mess of a DIY job in the last year.

Steve Reid, retail director at Clydesdale Bank, warned: “DIY may seem to be an easy way to save money but without the skills or tools it can end up costing a lot more to put right.”

A recent study from Churchill found many homeowners in the UK are risking hefty house repair bills by not adequately taking care of their properties.

By James Francis