The May Bank Holidays may tempt you to arm yourself with hammer, nails and drill in a bid to 'improve' your home, however the FMB warns that amateur attempts can result in hundreds of pounds of damage as well as serious accidents.
- Research for the FMB found that Britons waste £500 million pounds a year in DIY disasters
- Each year 200,000 people visit hospital following a doomed DIY attempt, according to ROSPA
- Insurance companies highlight many attempting specialist work such as electrics or gas, which not only break Building Regulations, but are also high risk
"Home improvement programmes and celebrity developers make home improvement look far too quick and easy. Many of our FMB builders are called in to sort out half-finished DIY jobs, that end up costing far more than they bargained for," warns Richard Diment, director general of the Federation of Master Builders.
Knowing your limits:
- Painting, wallpapering, garden landscaping, putting shelves up or kitchen units together are potential DIY jobs. Beyond this, it makes sense to talk to a professional.
- Plan and prepare well. Check with your home insurer that you are covered for accidental damage, such as paint spillage or water damage.
- If you're thinking of putting up shelving, make sure you check for hidden pipe or wire runs behind walls, using detectors to identify where they are.
- Ladder-related accidents are high in the insurance lists - take great care when working on ladders.
- Know when you have reached your limit and contact a professional.
- Remember electrical and gas work must be carried out by registered professionals.
- Remember any structural work needs to carried out by a professional.
- Plastering and tiling are jobs best left to the professionals.
For a good, professional builder in your area, visit www.fmb.org.uk/findabuilder.
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Don't spend your weekends doing DIY this summer. Take the family on a day out to a Diggerland adventure park near you in Kent, Devon, County Durham or West Yorkshire.
Click here for your chance to win tickets for a family of 4, courtesy of the FMB.
Competition closes: 31st May 2010. |
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If you don't have a Grand Designs-size budget, but still want to embark on a self-build or renovation project, then budgeting will be crucial.
The National Self-Build & Renovation Centre, Swindon is running an Affordable Self-Build weekend from 15-16 May with advice on budget control, efficient project management, material selection, and cash-flow. For free tickets & more information, visit www.buildstore.co.uk/afford or call 0845 223 4455
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Phil Spencer hosts 10th Master Builder of the Year awards.
Phil Spencer, best known as co-presenter of Channel 4's Location, Location, Location with Kirstie Allsopp, will host the Master Builder of the Year Awards at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge in London on 11th March 2011.
These awards give customers a platform to publicly thank their builder, both for their excellent work and for their consideration they have shown throughout the build. So if you know a builder who has done some first class work, completed since 1st August 2008, and provided excellent customer service, then register for an entry form and give them the recognition they deserve. To register visit www.fmb.org.uk/awards or call 0207 092 3870 for an application pack.
The 10th Master Builder of the Year will win a Nissan Light Commercial Vehicle of their choice worth up to £20,000 and the owner of the winning project will win a £3,000 holiday. The customer and builder from each winning category will enjoy an all inclusive weekend break courtesy of Barceló Hotels, so you could be a winner too!
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Simply download a copy of The Essential Guide to Home Improvement from www.fmb.org.uk/guide for practical advice as well as inspiring examples of how building work can help transform your home.
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Scotland - SECC Glasgow 15-16 May 2010
Surrey - Sandown Park, Esher 26 -27 June 2010
Harrogate - Harrogate International Centre 5-7 November 2010
Somerset - Bath & West Showground, 20-21 November 2010
The National Home Improvement Show - Earls Court, London,
1-3 October 2010
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Phil Spencer hosts the Master Builder of the Year Awards 2010.