How Many DIY Tasks Do You Have On Your List?

As any homeowner will tell you, there are always little bits and pieces that need doing around the home. But new research from Draper Tools has revealed that some 44 per cent of DIY tasks are left part-finished in the UK after people realised they didn’t have the right tools for the job after getting started.

The Sun shared the findings of the survey, which estimates that there are 430 million DIY jobs that need doing in homes around the UK.

Among the top tasks that need to be finished off are painting walls, putting up wallpaper and putting up shelves.

In addition to not having the right tools, many also revealed that a lack of time and hectic lifestyles are the other reasons why they don’t get things finished around the home.

The survey also found that one-fifth of people simply avoid DIY because they don’t enjoy it – in which case it’s probably worth paying someone to complete certain tasks for you to make sure they’re not left unfinished.

Clive Richardson, from Draper Tools, offered some advice to anyone who has a list of DIY tasks that are mounting up.

“The key is to focus on one thing at a time and gradually chip away at your to-do list otherwise the mounting number of DIY jobs can become overwhelming,” he said.

Of course, not all the things you need to do to your home are always small jobs you can tackle yourself. If you’re going to be undertaking larger renovation projects this year, such as installing new fireplace surrounds in Hampshire, you’ll need to get help from professionals as well as make sure that you plan properly for your renovations.

The Independent recently offered some advice on how to plan for a large home improvement project, with one of the top tips to do your research on whoever you hire to carry out the work.

The second piece of advice from the newspaper is to think carefully about what project (or projects if you’re feeling ambitious) you decide to take on. The first thing you should consider is whether your property is primarily your home and an investment second, or whether you’ll be trying to sell it in the not too distant future.

If you have no plans to move, then carrying out a more personal renovation project that makes it a nicer living space for you is no problem.

However, if you’re intending to put your property on the market, you should be more careful about the type of project you choose. For example, if you want to boost the value of your home, it’s best to focus on the kitchen and bathroom before looking at other parts of your house or flat.

Once you’ve decided what project you’ll be tackling, you then need to consider how you’ll finance it.

You may be in a position to finance your new fireplace, or other project, with savings. If you’re planning to borrow money, the advice from Matt Boyle, a mortgage specialist at finder.com, is to make sure you compare the different finance options available and choose one that’s right for your personal circumstances.