- comparethemarket.com reveals almost 70% of Brits ask for help with tasks such as cleaning, electrical work and assembling furniture from family and friends
- Over four in 10 (42%) haven’t ever been shown how to do household tasks properly
- Nearly one in three (29%) Brits call their spouse first when something goes wrong
With sales in household goods stores across the UK hitting over £34.6 billion, and £7.2 billion in decorating and DIY stores, it’s clear that Brits love to keep their homes in great shape. Whether that’s keeping on top of the cleaning or tackling home improvements. But how many of us feel like we can confidently tackle these tasks ourselves?
New research from comparethemarket.com[1][2] has revealed that almost 70% of Brits ask for help with tasks around the home from friends and family, the main reason being that over four in 10 (42%) simply haven’t ever been shown how to do tasks properly and would need someone to show them before attempting themselves.
Almost two-fifths of Brits feel incapable of carrying out household jobs on their own
Outside of lacking in capability and expertise, the research uncovers the additional reasons behind the need to call upon family and friends for a helping hand:
| Common reasons for asking for help | Percentage of Brits who agree |
| I haven’t ever been shown how to do the task properly/ I need someone else to show me before I attempt it on my own | 42% |
| I don’t feel capable of doing things around the house on my own | 38% |
| I’m worried that I would break something | 26% |
| To save money calling a professional / I don’t have time to spare | 19% |
Over two-fifths (43%) of those aged 18 -24 claim they feel incapable of tackling household tasks on their own, and the second most common reason being that they haven’t ever been shown how to do tasks properly and would need someone else to show them before attempting themselves (42%).
Nearly one in three (29%) Brits call their spouse first when something goes wrong
So, who do we call when there’s a DIY dilemma, a question about cleaning or baffling furniture instructions?
Almost a third (29%) are quick to call their other half first when something goes wrong in the home. Interestingly, only one in six (15%) calls a professional first when something goes wrong.
Parents are the ones usually called on to help with DIY (24%) and plumbing issues (22%). Meanwhile, a fifth (21%) of respondents agreed that friends and neighbours come in handy for rearranging heavy furniture or appliances.
People in Sheffield are most likely to call their mums (25%), whereas it’s dad and their spouses who are on speed dial for those in Birmingham (21%) and Edinburgh (24%). In Belfast, it’s siblings who are most likely to get the call for help (26%).
Despite it sometimes being the cheaper option to ask for help from family and friends, there are some tasks best left to the professionals. Almost seven in 10 (62%) are likely to pay a professional to sort home tasks involving electrical work.
Brits need the most help with plumbing issues (44%), electrical work (40%), DIY tasks (38%) and painting and decorating (32%)
Household tasks such as plumbing issues (44%) and electrical work (40%) unsurprisingly topped the list of those we need help with the most, whereas DIY tasks (38%) were the third most common tasks we ask for help with followed by painting and decorating (32%).
Other tasks such as rearranging (29%) and assembling (25%) furniture often require a second pair of hands, so it’s no surprise that Brits call upon someone else to help in this instance.
Commenting on the research, Alex Hasty, director at comparethemarket.com, says: “It’s great to be able to call on our close friends and family to help us with tasks around the home. If you’re putting up a new shelf or redecorating a room there’s no need to tell your insurer, but it’s best to check if you’re covered for accidental damage under your home insurance, just in case. If you’re planning extensive work to your home, then it’s best to talk to your provider first”.
To see the full research visit: https://www.comparethemarket.com/home-insurance/content/help-around-the-home/