Younger homeowners' lack of DIY know-how increases their financial burden

While established homeowners might tackle home improvements with confidence, or at least have a stab at them, that same can-do confidence is distinctly lacking in the majority of younger homeowners. 

Research conducted by Anglian Home Improvements found that out of the 66 per cent of young homeowners planning a home improvement project this year, three quarters of them don't feel confident enough to tackle even small DIY tasks – and would prefer to splash their hard-earned cash on paying professionals to do the jobs for them.

Of those surveyed, only 37 per cent felt confident enough to decorate their homes themselves, less than a third felt they could change a light fixture without help, and only 19 per cent felt comfortable with the level of expertise needed to put up a curtain pole.

This lack of DIY confidence is proving costly for young homeowners. In fact, it's estimated that the 18 to 34 year old homeowners who admitted they’d call in a professional to complete their DIY jobs are paying, on average, £102.20 for someone to complete one small DIY job that they could, with a little confidence and know-how quickly tackle themselves.

And when you tot up the average prices (below) for the professional help needed to complete the top DIY jobs young people aren’t having a go at themselves, you start to see how costly this lack of confidence is. 

1. Painter and decorator – £296 per room
2. Handyman to build flat pack furniture – £70
3. Electrician to change a light fixture – £55
4. Handyman to put up curtain poles or blinds – £45
5. Handyman to hang pictures – £45

That's an average of £511 per room – and doesn't include much more involved tasks like upgrading kitchens and bathrooms. 

Commenting on the findings, Costas Kariolis of Anglian Home Improvementssays, 'Cost, time and confidence seem to be the main reasons people are more likely to pay someone to help around the house rather than make home improvements themselves.'

• Need DIY confidence? Use our DIY guides and tips to find no sweat ways to complete basic jobs