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The Decline of the ‘Handy Brit’?
New Report Reveals 70% of UK Homeowners Now Hire Pros Over DIY Improvements
Nottingham named “least handy” UK city, according to a new DIY skills study, with residents 4.5 times more likely to hire professionals over DIYing a job
- Expert, Sam Carter, shares 6 tips on when to hire to avoid £5,000 plus in costly mistakes
The tradition of passing DIY skills down through generations is under threat, as a new DIY Skills Report has revealed that 70% of Brits now choose to hire a professional rather than picking up a toolkit themselves to maintain their homes.
The study by home appliance retailer, Appliances Direct, analysed 140 Google search terms split by DIY vs Hire intent, ranging from “how to bleed a radiator” to “electrician near me”. The results revealed that the convenience and safety of hiring is now more popular than Brits' traditional "have-a-go" attitudes, and that some cities are more “hire reliant” than others.
Nottingham Named the ‘Least Handy’ City in the UK
The research identified a regional divide in DIY confidence. Nottingham takes the top spot as the UK’s most hire-dependent city, where residents are 4.5 times more likely to hire help than attempt a task themselves. An incredible 85% of home-related searches in the city are for professional services.
Leicester and Manchester, aren’t far behind, with 84% of residents preferring to outsource their home improvements. While London unsurprisingly sees the highest volume of searches (nearly 60,000 monthly queries for tradespeople), it actually ranks 4th for "hire-intent" relative to DIY interest.
Top 10 Cities Most Likely to Hire Professionals for Home Improvements:
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Nottingham - 85% searching to hire over DIY
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Degree of hire-likelihood vs DIY: 4.5x
2.Leicester - 84% searching to hire over DIY
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Degree of hire-likelihood vs DIY: 4.2x
3.Manchester - 84% searching to hire over DIY
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Degree of hire-likelihood vs DIY: 4.0x
4.London - 83% searching to hire over DIY
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Degree of hire-likelihood vs DIY: 3.8x
5. Brighton - 79% searching to hire over DIY
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Degree of hire-likelihood vs DIY: 2.8x
6.Stoke-on-Trent - 77% searching to hire over DIY
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Degree of hire-likelihood vs DIY: 2.4x
7.Cardiff - 73% searching to hire over DIY
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Degree of hire-likelihood vs DIY: 1.7x
8. Sheffield - 72% searching to hire over DIY
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Degree of hire-likelihood vs DIY: 1.5x
9. Southampton - 71% searching to hire over DIY
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Degree of hire-likelihood vs DIY: 1.5x
10. Newcastle upon Tyne - 71% searching to hire over DIY
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Degree of hire-likelihood vs DIY: 1.5x
The report findings reinforce a 2026 study by HIPPO Waste that found 52% of Brits avoid DIY tasks specifically because they feel they lack the necessary skills. In the same study, 46% admit they simply don't have the confidence to try.
The decision to hire often comes down to a trade-off between cost and peace of mind. While DIY offers full control and lower costs, the risk of "DIY disasters" in complex areas like electrics or gas can lead to expensive fixes down the line.
Sam Carter
Sam Carter, radiator and appliance expert at Appliances Direct said,
"It’s important that home improvers recognise their own limits. Simple maintenance like bleeding a radiator or basic decorating is well within reach for most. However, anything involving electrics, gas, or complex plumbing should always be handled by a professional. Attempting these without the right knowledge can be dangerous and often ends up costing more in the long run.
Sam names 6 jobs you should always hire professionals for to avoid thousands in costly mistakes
1. Hire for complex electrical rewiring to avoid £5,000+ in fire damage repairs
“While swapping a light fixture or a faceplate is feasible for many people, anything involving a breaker box or running new circuits is high-risk. You should always hire a professional.”
The Cost of Failure: “It costs around £150 to hire an electrician for small upgrades, but this is a fraction of the £5,000+ it could cost in fire damage repairs or the cost of a full house rewire if you trip the entire system.”
2. Hire for boiler servicing and gas works to avoid £120 repair costs or £3,500+ for a replacement
“Under no circumstances should an amateur attempt to service a gas boiler or move a gas pipe. Not only is it illegal in the UK to perform gas work if you aren't Gas Safe registered, but it is life-threatening.”The Cost of Failure: “A professional service costs roughly £80–£120, whereas a botched DIY attempt can lead to carbon monoxide leaks or a total boiler replacement costing upwards of £3,500.”
3. Hire for removal of structural walls to avoid £10,000+ in structural repairs
“The 'open plan' dream often leads homeowners to take a sledgehammer to walls without checking if they are load-bearing. Without proper bracing and a structural engineer's sign-off, you risk the integrity of your entire home.”
The Cost of Failure: “A structural survey costs around £400, but a sagging ceiling or collapsed floor can result in £10,000 to £20,000 in emergency structural repairs.”
4. Hire for internal plumbing & pipe rerouting to avoid £200 to £3,000 repair costs
“While bleeding a radiator is a great DIY task, rerouting copper piping or installing a new bathroom suite requires precision. A single slow leak behind a wall can go unnoticed for months, rotting your joists.”
The Cost of Failure: “A plumber might charge £200 for a redirect, but damp remediation and floorboard replacement from a hidden leak can easily exceed £3,000.”
5. Hire for window and external door installation to avoid up to £2,900 costs
“Installing your own double glazing might seem like a way to save on labor, but if they aren't perfectly level and sealed, you lose all thermal efficiency. Plus, without a FENSA certificate, you'll struggle to sell your home later.”
The Cost of Failure: “WIndows that end up being the wrong size, might cost £500 to replace, and structural repairs can cost around £1,500 in some cases. Add on a "regularisation fee” for if you don;t get a certificate, at about £400 and a total disaster could set you back £2,400.”
6. Roof Repairs and Tiling
“Working at height is the number one cause of home DIY injuries. Beyond the physical risk, an incorrectly laid tile or poorly sealed flashing can lead to water ingress that ruins your attic insulation and ceilings.”
The Cost of Failure: “A simple tile replacement is a quick £150 fix for a pro, but a leaky roof left unchecked can cause £4,000 in water damage to the interior of your home.”
Find out more about easy home appliance projects to try your hand at by visiting their “How to” guides.
Sam Carter, radiator and appliance expert
