It takes the typical bloke a massive six months to get around to all the ‘little jobs’ in the house, research has revealed. A study into the DIY habits of 2000 homeowners found a lack of time, knowledge or enthusiasm is often the reason for the failure in fixing up squeaky floorboards or mending leaky taps.
Other jobs which regularly wait six months or more to be completed include cleaning stained carpets, touching up paint and replacing lightbulbs.
The research also showed that 41% of Brits put off their home improvement tasks because they simply don’t know how to do them.
A spokeswoman for Homebase, which commissioned the study, said:
”We all have ‘little jobs’ that we put off around our homes.
”These can appear quite daunting and overtime could lead to more serious problems.
”Knowing how to tackle them is key to staying on top of things, and can mean they take little time and effort to put right.
”It’s understandable that many people are unsure how to fix certain little problems that crop up in the home and the best way to build your confidence is to seek advice and practice.
”The potential cost of a project can put property owners off too, but fixing problems early mean they won’t cost as much as many of us would expect.”
British homeowners have even confessed to not knowing how to do some of the smallest jobs around the house.
Mending a squeaky floorboard, a dripping tap or exposed wires leave many of us scratching their heads, while fixing a broken TV aerial or broken window panes are also thought of as ‘difficult’.
While cracked tiles have one in ten people searching for help.
The cost of a job can also leave Brits cowering, as homeowners are looking at spending around £244 to complete all the little jobs which currently need addressing in their homes.
It also emerged that in the past 12 months, the average household has already spent £190 on home improvements.
Despite all the tedious tasks waiting to be completed, 46% of people said their house was still ‘home sweet home’.
Four in ten said they would describe their home as tidy but tired.
TOP 10 JOBS ON BRITAIN’S TO-DO LIST
1. Marked walls
2. Blown light bulb
3. Squeaky floorboards
4. Stained carpet
5. Peeling paint
6. Un-hung picture
7. Mouldy bedroom / bathroom
8. Peeling wallpaper
9. Worn away grouting
10. Leaking / dripping taps
TOP 10 DIY JOBS WE WON’T ATTEMPT
1. Squeaky floorboards
2. Leaking / dripping taps
3. TV aerial not working
4. Broken window pane
5. Loose / exposed wires
6. Missing floorboards
7. Broken locks
8. Dodgy toilet flush
9. Holes in ceilings / walls
10. Cracked / missing tiles
