A new study by Toolstation has uncovered that over half of Brits (57%) are planning to undertake a home DIY project this Easter bank holiday weekend.
Surveying homeowners, the study found that 44% are planning on painting their garden fence, followed by 38% planning to paint interior walls. Trade experts agree that springtime is the best time of the year to paint a home because of the milder temperatures and lighter evenings.
A quarter (25%) are planning to clean out their gutters, which is recommended following wintertime. When gutters become blocked by leaves, debris and moss it can lead to leaky roofs, water damage and can even cause damage to the gutters and drainpipes.
The top ten DIY jobs this Easter break
| Rank | DIY Job | Percentage |
| 1 | Paint garden fencing | 44% |
| 2 | Paint interior walls | 38% |
| 3 | Cleaning gutters | 25% |
| 4 | Wallpapering | 24% |
| 5 | Paint/ refresh the front door | 20% |
| 6 | Bleeding radiators | 18% |
| 7 | Hang wall fixtures | 15% |
| 8 | Fitting shelving | 13% |
| 9 | Upcycle furniture | 12% |
| 10 | Change/update light fittings | 9% |
Wallpapering comes in fourth place, with 24% of Brits planning to take on this DIY job, whilst painting or refreshing the front door comes in fifth place with 20%. A fresh front door can add value to a home thanks to improved kerb appeal, making this one of the worthwhile tasks.
Other DIY jobs from the top ten included bleeding radiators, with 18% planning to do so, fitting shelving, with 13% and upcycling furniture with 12%.
Other jobs that did not make the top ten included re-grouting tiles, gardening, and assembling flat pack furniture.
Brit’s DIY confidence
The study also quizzed Brits on their overall DIY confidence, revealing that a fifth (20%) are not confident in their DIY skills and abilities. In fact, almost a third (31%) have put off a DIY job because of their lack of personal skills or knowledge.
| Confidence Level | Percentage |
| Not confident | 20% |
| Somewhat confident | 62% |
| Very confident | 17% |
At the other end of the scale, 17% of Brits stated they are very confident in their DIY abilities whilst the majority (62%) stated they are somewhat confident in their skills.
Jobs to leave to the professionals
Not all DIY jobs should be carried out by homeowners, Jobs involving water, electricity and gas should be avoided by those that don’t have the experience, tools, or knowledge levels necessary to do the job.
Rhiannon Moore, from Toolstation, has shared three DIY jobs Brits should not attempt themselves:
1. Installing a radiator
Most jobs involving plumbing should be left to a trained professional including plumbing in appliances such as radiators, showers, or toilets. If done incorrectly it can cause water damage to nearby walls and flooring which can lead to damp and mould issues.
Homeowners can easily replace taps and unblock drains themselves, but anything involving pipework should always be left to the professionals.
2. Installing light fittings
Any jobs involving electricity should always be left to a trained professional including replacing any light fittings and sockets. Any damage caused by faulty self-installation can in fact void a home’s insurance policy.
Homeowners can easily replace a light bulb themselves, after turning off the light fixtures power, but anything involving re-wiring should always be left to a qualified electrician.
3. Plastering walls and ceilings
To paint and decorate well, it is important that plastering is done correctly. Without this, even a well-painted wall will still look rough and bumpy. If plastering is done incorrectly, it can lead to issues such as damp and poor insulation.
When it comes to plastering walls and ceilings, it is a time consuming and messy task which can be quite challenging. It’s best to leave larger projects to professionals.
For more step-by-step guides to common DIY jobs, please see the ‘how-to hub’ on the Toolstation website: https://www.toolstation.com/help-and-advice/how-to-guides
