Saga: Just say no to DIY

The British tradition of DIY could be waning, as more than half of all homeowners now seek outside help when improving their homes.

Research released today by Saga Home Insurance has unearthed evidence Brits would instead prefer to rely on partners, family members and hired tradespeople to carry out tasks around the home.

The data also revealed a staggering one in four people have injured themselves whilst undertaking DIY (28 per cent), which may explain their reluctance to put up shelves, lay flooring or tile walls.

Men are found to be the most accident-prone, with 35 per cent of males injuring themselves while carrying out tasks, as opposed to 15 per cent of women.

The results confirm research released earlier this week by Halifax, showing the majority of men in the UK are prepared to shirk their DIY responsibilities this Easter weekend.

Saga also finds almost one in three homeowners (29 per cent) enlist their long-suffering partners and spouses, who are expected to roll up their sleeves and get stuck in to home improvements and renovations.

Furthermore, one in five (19 per cent) prefer to pay a professional tradesperson.

Parents are likely to be enlisted to help too, with one in three of those in their early twenties turning to them for DIY help in the house (29 per cent).

The worst offenders for getting someone else to do it are in the north-east, with 35 per cent looking for a way out of carrying out home improvement tasks.

In contrast some 55 per cent of the Welsh are eager to do it themselves.

However, experience clearly also plays a role with nine in ten of those aged 50 plus never having to call in a tradesman to correct their shoddy work - whereas only 63 per cent of those aged 18-24 could say the same.