Pros and Cons of Undertaking a DIY Project
The DIY industry is a multi million pound industry with the biggest home improvement suppliers taking millions of pounds every year selling DIY tools and materials direct to the trade and the public.
There is no doubt that DIY is a massive industry with millions of brits spending the weekend sanding floors and painting bathrooms there is no sign of the market slowing down. Some of the growth in the industry could be down to a range of DIY and home improvement programmes on television from changing rooms to DIY SOS many of the celebrity DIY-ers on television make home improvement seem like an easy task.
There are many things to take into consideration before undertaking a large DIY project by yourself. Safety is one such point that should not be ignored. In 1999 the last time nationally updated statistics were made available there were 200,000 DIY injuries in the UK and 70 deaths. There were 2,506 accidents with power drills 1,920 accidents with circular saws and 622 with chainsaws. The home is one place that ypu would not expect to be dangerous but every year in the UK more than 4,000 people die in household accidents with another 3 million ending up in accident and emergency departments. Planning and ensuring that you put safety first is key to avoiding any accidents.
Many people will underestimate how difficult undertaking a DIY project can be over half of those that embark on a major DIY project will fail to finish the project or at least fail to finish the project to a good standard. So DIY could be a good option to add value to your home but it may also mean that you are actually damaging your wealth and potentially your health.
Research carried out among estate agents suggests that half done or inappropriate home improvements can wipe off anything between £2,000 and £10,000 of the value of a property. When you consider that a property is the biggest investment that you are likely to make in adult life this is no small amount. There are however resources that have a wealth of DIY Advice that can help you to plan a DIY project so that not only are you safe but you are prepared correctly to undertake and finish the DIY project.
The BBC and Channel 4 (Four homes) both have useful resources that you can use that will help you to plan a DIY project or to appoint a professional to help you improve the value of your home. The most important point to consider is that will your home improvement project actually improve your home.
- Scott McBoyd