Brits are swapping screwdrivers for kitchen knives and hammers for rolling pins, and it’s not going well.
A survey of 2,000 Brits and 500 tradespeople shows many are tackling jobs like tiling a kitchen wall or fixing leaks without the right tools.
With four in ten under-40s admitting they don’t even own a toolbox, makeshift solutions are common, but costly, as 72% suffered at least one DIY disaster last year, spending an average of £1,555 to fix mistakes.
“We’re seeing more people trying to patch things up with whatever’s within reach – even if it’s completely unsuitable,” says Rebecca Leversidge of Premierline. “Unfortunately, that kind of improvisation often ends in damage, danger, and a much bigger bill.”
The strangest DIY substitutions revealed
When Brits don’t have the right gear, they get… inventive. The survey uncovered a full list of common (and completely incorrect) tools people are using around the home:
- Kitchen knives as screwdrivers – used by 71% of respondents
- Scissors for trimming hedges – 63%
- Credit cards for grouting floor tiles – 40%
- Broomsticks to clear gutters – 33%
- Tupperware dishes to mix filler – 32%
- Rolling pins as hammers – 31%
- Spoons for weeding – 31%
- Sellotape to fix leaking pipes – 36%
This rise in tool-less DIY has led to professionals across the country reporting a surge in callouts to fix botched jobs.
A costly form of creativity
While Brits might be proud of their can-do attitude, it’s coming at a steep price.
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Three-quarters (74%) said they ended up spending more to fix their mistakes than the original job would have cost, with an annual average of £7,775 per household spent on remedying botched DIY.
In fact, 51% admitted they had to call in a professional after their fix went wrong, with the top disasters including:
- Poorly fitted shelves and cabinets
- Damaged walls
- Electrical faults
- Burst pipes
- Uneven paint and wallpaper jobs
“DIY confidence is great,” says Leversidge, “but it’s important to know your limits – and have the right tools before you start.”
To help households avoid further mayhem, tradespeople shared the top 10 tools every home should have:
Alongside basic tools like drills and spirit levels, investing in a versatile multitool can make a huge difference.
For example, the Ryobi R18MT multitool combines sanding, cutting and grinding in one compact device – perfect for tackling a wide range of DIY tasks with precision and ease.
Having the right equipment like this not only saves time but can help avoid costly mistakes and frustrating repairs.
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