The Internet is full of websites extolling the virtues of DIY. It is also full of sites that are home to the thousands of photos of the projects that failed. Some of these disasters can be easily put right, whilst others will require the intervention of experts and a great deal of money.
But does the knowledge of other people's errors ever deter the true DIY enthusiasts? In Britain, Bank Holidays are notorious as being the days the DIY warehouses become the happy hunting grounds of men and women who are convinced their skills match their ideas.
Unfortunately, many are deluded as to their capabilities, and the simple project ends up costing a lot more than first thought. In fact the average annual cost of DIY blunders is over £138 per household, which means over £3 billion is spent every year in the UK by people whose home improvements turn out to be a disaster.
Studies have shown that 60% of adults feel they have good DIY skills, but over half of us admit to having at least one unfinished project in our homes, and a quarter of us have had a disaster that we would probably prefer not to mention.
A little careful planning and preparation could possibly avoid these problems, and in our infographic we have quite a few useful tips to try. If, after careful consideration and consultation with your better half, you realise you don't have the skills you thought you had, call in a professional!