Almost a third of British people admit they find DIY shops intimidating, according to a new survey from TV channel Home.
Despite 80% of Brits owning a toolbox, the vast majority have no idea what to do with it, choosing instead to spend a whopping £5.6bn each year calling in experts to help with the simplest of DIY tasks.
The report was commissioned by the channel to help launch its 'Seize the DIY' campaign, which aims to encourage people across the UK to not be afraid of completing DIY tasks themselves. The findings reveal that the average toolbox contains contents worth £340, yet a massive 70% of British homeowners rely on a handyman for basic jobs such as putting up a shelf or fixing a leaky tap.
Only a third of respondents said they are confidant when it comes to using shop-bought tools, with 14% believing a spirit level is a device used for measuring alcohol.
Of the 4,000 homeowners questioned, a quarter admitted they had not attempted a single DIY task within the past 12 months. However, the findings showed that the older generation is more willing to get stuck into household repairs, with 70% of over-54s claiming they can confidently complete simple tasks themselves. By comparison, only 12% of under-35s stated the same.
Home channel head Clare Laycock said: "It's staggering how much cash we spend on simple household tasks that could be spent elsewhere. Our 'Seize the DIY' campaign on TV and online will show Brits how straightforward it is to do it themselves... We want to build a nation of DIY heroes throughout 2011!"