A new study shows that half of the UK population do not feel that they are as skilled at DIY jobs as their parents.
Millions of Britons do not believe they are as useful around the home as their parents were, new research has revealed.
According to a study by Halifax Home Insurance, half of the UK population do not feel as comfortable with DIY as the generation before them. Despite this, a third of the UK's households will attempt a spot at home renovation this weekend.
While more than three-quarters feel comfortable with painting, only two-thirds are happy wallpapering and just a quarter would tackle tiling. Fewer than one in ten would attempt to fit a new bathroom or kitchen without expert help.
However, the head of underwriting at Halifax Home Insurance, David Rochester, suggested that this attitude may actually be for the best.
"It all looks so easy on the home makeover programmes, but it is perhaps no bad thing that most people say they wouldn't attempt large DIY projects themselves," he said. "Trying to tackle areas you are not qualified for such as gas, electrics or plumbing work can invalidate a home insurance policy, leaving the homeowner liable for the cost of any subsequent damage."
But the research indicated that many struggle with even simple tasks, including a fifth who would not be confident of changing a lightbulb correctly.
