Britons pay the price for DIY blunders

Posted on 13th Oct 2010 @ 4:07 PM

Homeowners considering resanding their hardwood flooring themselves may want to think twice, as botched DIY jobs cost people in the UK significant amounts of money.

That is according to a study by Clydesdale and Yorkshire Banks, which found that over the last 12 months, homeowners shelled out more than £235 million on correcting their mistakes.

The study found that more than ten per cent of people paid in excess of £500 to have their errors corrected, while a quarter of respondents stated that they regret not calling in a professional to carry out the work.

Steve Reid, retail director at Clydesdale Bank, said that while homeowners may think there are savings to be made with DIY, they run the risk of paying more if they do the job poorly, which is something those keen to install their own wooden floor may want to consider.

"DIY may seem to be an easy way to save money but without the skills or tools it can end up costing a lot more to put right," he stated.

Andreas Loppas, writing for AboutMyArea, said recently that installing a wooden floor requires a qualified carpenter.
 

Related News

Hardwood flooring 'a long-term investment'

20th Apr 2011 @ 3:43 PM

People should be thinking long term when it comes to hardwood flooring, one expert has claimed. John Heggland, who has been the owner of Connecticut Floor Supply Inc in Wilton for the past 50 years, told the Westport News that the option can be a "forever product". This means if it is look... more »

Environmental benefits may attract people to hardwood floors

20th Apr 2011 @ 10:57 AM

People could be tempted to install hardwood floors because of the environmental benefits the material possesses. With 100 per cent wood used in the construction process, it is not only durable but comes from a natural source. On top of this, hardwoods are a much more serviceable product than its riv... more »

Solid flooring an ecological choice?

19th Apr 2011 @ 4:54 PM

People may want to take advantage of the ecological benefits of using solid flooring. As it is a natural resource, those who choose the material will be ensuring they have the opportunity to help the environment and secure themselves a high quality finish. This flooring option will also benefit indi... more »