The humble garden shed full of well-oiled tools, knowing how to rewire a plug, enjoying the bliss of a well-balanced set of shelves – the UK has always been a nation of DIY enthusiasts, and the current economic tough times are doing nothing to dampen our spirits!
As a timber merchant, we typically deal with larger consignments and bulk orders, but our doors are always open to any of the UK’s thousands of DIY enthusiasts looking to improve their homes. We’ve got everything from plywood sheets to cut to size MDF. So, as a DIY fan, how can you stay safe?
DIY and Accidents
Our commercial clients are lucky to have the backing of the watchful Health & Safety Executive (HSE) The HSE are responsible for overseeing Health & Safety protocols in various industries in the UK, including agriculture, construction and even our own machine cutting services.
According to AXA, around 71% of Brits engage in a little (or a lot!) of DIY around national holidays like Easter and the summer holidays. The insurer went on to say the risk of accidents doesn’t put hardy DIY fans off, with the most common maladies being spills, broken furniture and unintended holes being created in walls and ceilings.
The HSE say they want their resources to be available to DIY enthusiasts as well as professional bodies. The likes of ongoing campaigns – Shattered Lives (fall safety), Better Gas Safe than Sorry, Asbestos: The Hidden Killer, etc – are aimed at professionals but include free online resources that can be accessed by anyone.
Women and DIY
Skilled trade is always a great feather in the cap, and it seems the women of Britain are getting savvy to DIY skills. Female enrolment in DIY workshops and professional courses has seen a five-fold increase over the past eighteen months. Courses like plastering, plumbing and tiling are proving to be exceptionally popular with women from all backgrounds. Some are looking to become more self-sufficient, some want to pursue a new career.
According to B&Q, female attendance on their DIY courses has risen by 92%. A B&Q spokeswoman told the Daily Mail,
“Whether it’s to save money, avoid being ripped off or to just increase confidence around the home, women are skilling up.”
The Value of DIY
For most Brits, DIY is about the passion of creating a home rather than the value that could be added to a property. An HSBC survey revealed the home improvements that really could add value to the home, and few of them are small jobs. However, 75% of experts questioned said a quick, simple paint job – repairing chips in doorframe gloss paint, repainting the front door, etc – could improve your chances of selling.
Brits love home improvements. Whether we’re building a new birdhouse form scratch or redoing a dated décor, the love affair of the UK with DIY looks set to flourish through tough economic times.
