Sydney, July 3: Nearly half of Aussie homeowners have faced a ‘do-it-yourself’ disaster around the house, according to a survey.
While many turn to DIY to save money, it often ends up costing more in the long run.
hipages has teamed up with expert tradies Kyal & Kara and Oldmates to highlight common DIY fails and offer tips to avoid them.|
A national survey by hipages, Australia’s largest online tradie marketplace, revealed that 43 per cent of homeowners have experienced a DIY disaster in the past year, affecting over 4.2 million households. While 69 per cent of people try DIY to cut costs and speed up projects, the average cost of fixing these mistakes is up to $500.
The most common DIY jobs that go wrong include painting (43 per cent), landscaping and gardening (33 per cent), plumbing (26 per cent), cabinetry (21 per cent), and tiling (18 per cent).
Bathrooms and kitchens are the hotspots for these mishaps, with 41 per cent happening in bathrooms and 32 per cent in kitchens.
Kyal and Kara, ex-contestants from The Block and interior design experts, stress the importance of hiring professionals for critical areas like bathrooms and kitchens.
These rooms require special attention due to their complexity and the presence of water and expensive fixtures.
Nicholas Ellery, VP of Marketing at hipages, explained, “With tight household budgets, it’s understandable that Aussies are turning to DIY. But to avoid paying twice for a potential DIY disaster, we’re encouraging homeowners to do their research and consider hiring a trusted tradie.”
Australia is a nation of DIY enthusiasts, but a new survey by hipages shows that these projects often go wrong. Key findings include:
- 43 per cent of homeowners have experienced a DIY disaster.
- The top five DIY jobs gone wrong are painting (43 per cent), landscaping and gardening (33 per cent), plumbing (26 per cent), cabinetry (21 per cent), and tiling (18 per cent).
- Bathrooms are the most likely rooms for DIY disasters (41 per cent), followed by kitchens (32 per cent).
- 69 per cent of homeowners attempted DIY to save money, but the average repair cost is up to $500.
- 61 per cent of homeowners feel DIY is more expensive in the long run.
- DIY disasters are emotionally taxing, with 42 per cent frustrated by wasted time, 30 per cent embarrassed by their lack of knowledge, and 28 per cent annoyed by wasted money.
Homeowners handle DIY mistakes in various ways. While 46 per cent fix their errors themselves, 33 per cent call in a tradie, 21 per cent live with their mistakes, and 14 per cent make the situation worse by trying another repair.
To prevent DIY disasters, the best solution is to call in the experts.
The majority of Aussies (86 per cent) say they’ll hire a qualified tradie for future home improvement tasks.
For first-time DIYers, tasks like simple painting jobs or gardening are relatively safe but can still go wrong. For a perfect finish, it’s best to call a professional.
Complex projects risk poor quality work, legal issues, and safety hazards. Plumbing, electrical, and structural work require proper licensing and permits.
Homeowners should research online, speak with tradies, and understand the project’s requirements to determine their DIY capabilities.
Use platforms like hipages, ask friends and family, and check tradie reviews to find reliable professionals.
Ensure the tradie is licensed, check their experience and reputation, and look at reviews from previous customers.
Platforms like hipages provide all necessary information.
While DIY can help with cost savings, the risk of expensive repairs makes it crucial to balance DIY efforts with professional help.
Common mistakes include assuming all tasks can be DIY-ed. Specialist trades like plumbing and tiling should be left to professionals.
Plumbing, electrical, roofing, and waterproofing should always be handled by professionals due to their complexity and safety concerns.
Get multiple quotes and compare prices to ensure fair pricing when hiring a tradie.
Check for proper insurance, experience, and a good reputation to ensure the tradie is qualified and reliable.
With DIY disasters on the rise, costing Aussie households hundreds, it’s essential to know your limits and seek professional help when necessary.
Platforms like hipages offer valuable resources for finding trusted tradies and ensuring home improvement projects are done right the first time.
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