More than half of Brits scared of DIY: Survey

DIY (Do-It-Yourself) is avoided by more than half (53%) of the households in Britain - because they are scared to tinker, according to a new survey.

The survey has found that 66% of homes with unfinished DIY jobs are waiting to be completed because people just don't believe they have the skills needed to succeed.

Some 29% of respondents to the survey by B and Q claim to be absolutely terrible at DIY, though there is a line to be drawn depending on the severity of the task at hand.

Given a little confidence, lots of have-a-go heroes would like to do more simple tasks such as painting a room, putting up wallpaper, putting up a shelf and even have a go at tiling or laying a floor. 

But Britain appears to draw the line at plastering, plumbing and laying a patio - preferring to delegate those jobs to other family members or a tradesman.

However, with today's busy lifestyles, there is also a feeling that DIY is work, not play, and after a hard day's graft 39 per cent said the last thing they wanted to do was household tasks.

"Part of this is the admission that most of us are scared of or just don't like DIY," the Daily Mail quoted Katherine Paterson, B and Q's marketing director, as saying.