DIY or Not?

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So what’s the reason behind the lack of handy-jobs no know how? Partners who automatically call a handyman when a job needs doing and long hours spent at work are the two main reasons.

However, almost half of the 2000 men surveyed said no one had ever taught them how to carry out straightforward tasks and had never got around to teaching themselves. Of the men surveyed 73 percent didn’t know how to change a leaking tap while 61 percent said they didn’t know how to lay turf. One in five added that when they attempted to fix a problem, they only made it worse.

When it’s best to hire a pro

“I would hire a professional to do anything that has to do with utilities,” says James F. Basnett Jr., president of Basnett Design Build Remodel of Littleton, Massachusetts.

Projects such as installing plumbing for a new shower stall or wiring a garage require permits and must be up to code. Few DIYers know these regulations, and Basnett himself says he always relies on the expertise of licensed plumbers and electricians for those types of tasks.

“Be careful with anything having to do with drainage,” Basnett adds. “That can really cause big problems.” Energy efficiency is another tricky area, as new technologies are continually being introduced that change best practice building techniques.

“Anything to do with insulation and wind stoppage — many builders don’t know how to do that right,” Basnett says. “So I guarantee that most homeowners don’t know how to do it.” Improper installation of moisture barriers, for example, can contribute to serious problems such as interior mold or ice dams on the roof.

Should you do the work yourself? The answer depends upon a number of factors, including your abilities, your collection of tools and safety gear, your time, and your inclination to roll up your sleeves.

Unless you are a highly skilled do-it-yourselfer, avoid taking on jobs that may be dangerous, particularly difficult, or where a mistake can be quite costly. Some jobs simply are not worth the risk.

For example, think twice before doing: * Extensive electrical work * Plumbing that involves crawling under the house * Roofing work on a steeply-pitched or high roof * Difficult or laborious work, such as chopping out and pouring a new concrete floor. Consider you skills, tools, and time.

Then take a closer look at your options before you make a final decision.