TV DIY bad for your house

Arguments about the damage caused by watching too much television have taken a new turn with a survey from Halifax which shows that UK homeowners are causing damaging to their properties by attempting to emulate projects undertaken on DIY television programmes.

According to Halifax research, 12 million people in the UK have been prompted to embark on DIY projects during the past five years, because they have found such programmes inspirational.

Out of this number around 750,000 have actually caused damaged their homes while attempting to make improvements, with the bill for the repair work averaging £484.

Apparently, homeowners are likely to discount the fact that the work they see carried out on television is being undertaken by people in skilled trades.

Some will even attempt DIY in the areas of electrics or plumbing, and in the process invalidate their home insurance cover.

Further DIY statistics have recently been released by Saga, showing that two in three people are not aware that their buildings insurance provider may need advanced notification of any major work plans and that limitations may be placed on cover whilst the work is being carried out.

For example, it is standard for items such as unassembled kitchen units, uninstalled bathroom suites and unfixed building materials to be excluded from a policy.

Discuss this in the Finance Markets forums

Story link: TV DIY bad for your house