5 January 2012
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Have a go’ Homeowners Resort to Own Roof Repairs
ADF
SUMMARY
According to new research from Checkatrade.com - the UK's most trusted website for monitoring the reputation of tradespeople – almost half of UK homeowners are tackling their own roof repairs, despite potentially lethal consequences (remember Rod Hull!).
PRESS RELEASE
The research, conducted amongst 2,000 homeowners, highlights a worrying trend for property owners to tackle dangerous work themselves rather than calling in the professionals. The survey found that 42% of people would rather scale a ladder themselves to re-tile a roof or repair guttering than pay for a qualified tradesperson to do so.
A further 1 in 3 would do their own plumbing and electrics, ignoring current regulations and advice.
Young DIY Daredevils
The survey also revealed that the younger you are the more likely you are to have a stab at riskier DIY tasks. More than double the number of 18-24 year olds (59%) would be prepared to scale the rooftops compared to the over 55s (24%) - and half (49%) would tackle a circuit board or boiler compared to just 30% of the older age group.
Overall, Londoners are the most likely to attempt hazardous DIY work, while the Welsh are the most cautious, preferring to call in the professionals for more dangerous jobs.
Men are also more significantly likely to try their hand at a spot of ‘extreme DIY’, with 50% of men compared 38% of women tackling roofing themselves and 40% doing their own electrics, plumbing or building work.
Commenting on the findings, Kevin Byrne, founder of Checkatrade, said: “These research findings make for sobering reading. Far too many people are taking dangerous risks in a bid to cut corners and save on costs. Ironically, many hundreds of thousands of people end up calling in the professionals to put right ‘bodged’ DIY jobs, often at a greater cost than had they had employed a professional from the outset.
“Gas and electrical work pose potentially lethal threats, as does any work involving ladders, such as tackling guttering or retiling roofs. These are tough economic times but homeowners must take a step back and think about the potential consequences of their risk-taking.”
ENDS
NOTES TO EDITORS
Checkatrade helps combat the UK's rogue trader problem by continuously vetting and monitoring local traders such as builders, plumbers and electricians. The idea was born in 1998 after a tornado hit the small West Sussex town of Selsey. Traders poured in from as far away as Liverpool and Manchester. Unfortunately, some ripped off the inhabitants of the town. Local businessman, Kevin Byrne, realised there was nowhere to check out the traders’ credentials and the company that became Checkatrade was formed.
Since then, Checkatrade has grown to include over 6,300 genuine trade members, growing by an average 120 new members every month, and, via the Royal Mail, distributes 5.9 million directories a year into communities throughout Hampshire, Surrey, Sussex, Dorset and Berkshire, while the website includes traders from across the UK.
CONTACT INFORMATION
PR / Marketing, Checkatrade
5 - 6 Sherrington Mews, Ellis Square, Selsey, West Sussex, PO20 0FJ
Tel: 01243 601234
Fax: 01243 601246
info@checkatrade.com
