Try, try and try again – then give up

Britons take an average of just 37 minutes and three attempts to try their hand at a DIY task before giving up, according to new research.

A survey of 2,000 UK homeowners by BuyMetalOnline.co.uk revealed that a not-so-handy 62 per cent of the population have tried and failed at a household DIY task in the past 12 months.

Some 78 per cent confessed they would try to fix their household DIY problem before calling in a professional, with 32 per cent attempting their own repairs to save money and 27 per cent doing so to save time.

Britons listed building flat pack furniture (68 per cent), painting (56 per cent), putting up a shelf (38 per cent), wiring a socket (31 per cent) and fixing a leaking tap (26 per cent) among the top five DIY tasks they struggle to tackle.

As a result, the top five trades Britons turn to in times of need included electrical (59 per cent), decorating (52 per cent), plumbing (31 per cent), building/construction (29 per cent) and joinery (23 per cent).

Sara Halman, managing director at BuyMetalOnline.co.uk, said: “Attempting to fix the problem yourself is one way to save money. However, if the job is hazardous or beyond your skill set, it is best handled by a trained and qualified professional. There is no shame in turning to a professional to ensure the job is done properly and to the highest safety standards.”