More than half of people taking on 'overlooked' DIY jobs under lockdown, poll claims

Respondents had completed four tasks on average, researchers find

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As most people are spending more time than ever at home under lockdown, many have spotted DIY jobs that they had previously overlooked, a survey suggests.

A questionnaire taken by 2,000 adults found more than half had noticed faults or cosmetic damage they previously took no notice of.

More than half had taken on DIY projects during lockdown, completing an average of four jobs, and they also had four tasks outstanding.

The research, commissioned by Ronseal, found doing DIY had helped more than two-thirds of respondents combat boredom, while another one in three said it meant they would have something to show for their time.

Two in five felt "satisfied" as a result of doing DIY and almost one-fifth felt "relaxed".

For almost three-quarters, completing home improvements had been positive for their wellbeing, with one-tenth feeling "stress free" while 15 per cent felt "calmer".

Many had taken on painting jobs including walls, garden furniture and fences.

Three in five admitted they usually forgot about improvements which needed doing when they were out of the house.

Rob Green, from Ronseal, said: “A lack of time and knowledge can make DIY a daunting prospect, and as a result, many simply put off the little jobs that need doing, even though most will be a simple fix.

“But after a while, you become so used to seeing the problems around the home that you don't even notice them anymore - especially when you are busy going in and out all of the time.

“This is changing now we are all spending so much more time at home.

“When you are at home 24/7, it becomes much harder to turn a blind eye to that bit of scuffed paintwork or the cracks in the walls you are now spending so much time looking at.”

The research also found DIY jobs were usually ignored for an average of eight weeks before finally being tackled, with one-quarter of respondents admitting they caused more damage by leaving it untouched.

Barriers prior to lockdown included a lack of motivation, time and confidence.

But 57 per cent admitted they now had "no excuse" not to work on home improvements.

Luckily, 57 per cent of those polled via OnePoll said they were already equipped with the tools needed for manual tasks prior to lockdown.

More than one-third had even managed to encourage other members of their family to get involved with DIY tasks around the house recently.

The research found the kitchen was considered the area which needed the most improvement, followed by the garden and bathroom.

SWNS