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Time to get your hands DIY-rty
When it comes to home improvements today's generation has got used to hiring help. But DIY is making a comeback as people try to cut spending. SOPHIE HAZAN reports
HOMEOWNERS are rolling up their sleeves in an effort to tackle basic household chores.
New research shows that half of people surveyed are now willing get their hands dirty when it comes to sorting odd jobs around the house.
More people are attempting such everyday tasks themselves in order to save money, says Homebase.
But the survey also revealed that three-quarters of people cannot fix a lock, around two thirds of people do not know how to stop a dripping tap and nearly half do not know how to hang wallpaper.
Sarah Silverwood, DIY trade director at Homebase, said that an increasing number of people have taken up the "can't move, improve" mantra since the downturn hit.
"We've noticed a rise in demand from customers wanting more help and advice on DIY projects."
Consumerwatch has spoken to a do-it-yourself enthusiast for some advice.
Graphic designer Hadrian Summers, 32, from Leeds, has transformed four houses in as many years, fitting bathroom and kitchen suites, laminate and wood flooring, erected decking in gardens and become quite a whizz at tiling.
Perfectionist
Practice makes perfect, according to the self-taught handyman.
"My dad was always quite handy around the house and I always enjoyed this kind of thing.
"Some of my friends say that I am a perfectionist; if I'm not happy with a job I'll pull it apart and do it again.
"The more you do the better you get, and you end up with a much better set of tools over time so jobs become easier."
For keen novices wanting to get stuck in, painting and decorating is perhaps the best place to start, according to Hadrian.
Invest in decent brushes and rollers.
"If your walls aren't particularly smooth line them with paper first to hide any imperfections you are not confident to plaster," he advised.
He added that wallpapering was not as hard as it looked. "People are put off, thinking it will be messy but it's quite forgiving really if you follow the instructions with the adhesive.
"You can always pull it down and try again. With patterned wall paper the trend is to have a feature wall without alcoves which is actually quite straightforward."
And is there any job that would see him bring in the professionals?
"When I did our first kitchen I paid for a Corgi registered gas installer to move a cooker from one wall to another.
"Similarly with a bathroom you have got to consider waste pipes for your toilets, before you start pulling things out yourself that might be best being left up to the professionals.
"At the end of the day if you are going to get the work done, then why not attempt it yourself before paying for someone.You could surprise yourself."
l A series of 'How To' guides have been launched by Homebase on the 30 most popular projects tackled by the nation, including putting up shelves, hanging doors, painting walls and laying a patio.
The mini-guides will offer step-by-step advice with diagrams, top tips and a list of tools for the job.
Watching paint dry Not exciting, but can be satisfying
Pick the right type of paint
The most suitable paint for internal walls and ceilings is emulsion. Vinyl matt gives a non-shiny finish, good for hiding small imperfections. Vinyl soft sheen is more durable and suitable for areas that may need light washing or sponging.Vinyl silk gives a high sheen finish and is good for kitchens and bathrooms .
Choose the right tool
Use a wide brush (4 to 6 ins) for flat surfaces like walls and ceilings; a good size (2 ins) for small sections of wall, doors and skirting boards; smaller head (1 ins) for wall edges, ceilings, mouldings and door frames; narrow head (1/2 ins) for very tight areas and detail on window frames and narrow areas.
Rollers apply paint three times faster than a brush.
Prepare well
Walls and ceilings must be clean, dust-free, smooth and completely dry. Wash down with a detergent. Rinse with clean water and leave to dry.
Use primer on bare plaster
With oil-based paint, you should use a primer or basecoat. Bear in mind that old wallpaper has a textured finish, which will show through the paint.
How many coats?
This will depend upon the type and make of paint you buy, and what you are painting over. Follow the manufacturer's instructions on the tin for the best results. Always leave to dry between coats.
Protect floor and furniture
Use dust sheets.and keep a bucket of water and a sponge handy to wipe splashes off woodwork, as some colours may stain light-coloured gloss paint.
What order to paint in
First paint the ceiling and then the walls. Woodwork should be painted last.
Fake tax refund's no net gain
TAXpayers are under attack from a new wave of email phishing scams.
Self-employed individuals and small to medium sized enterprises are particularly at danger, warn fraud experts Equifax.
They spotted a surge in cons targeting taxpayers who had filled out self-assessment forms in April.
Victims are sent emails claiming that they are eligible for a refund, but these are an attempt to steal bank IDs and passwords.
"Fraudsters seem to be targeting taxpayers around key deadlines and they are using the promise of tax refunds," said Neil Munroe, external affairs director at Equifax. "These emails can look very convincing. Anyone who provides details risks their accounts being emptied."
More details can be found at www.hmrc.gov.uk
How to spot a phishing scam
HMRC never ask for personal details via email;
Tax refunds are notified by post;
Fraudulent emails won't address you personally
Never give personal information;
If you have been a victim tell your bank immediately
Mobile gripes? Time to ring watchdog
MOBILE phone customers are being urged to get in touch with an industry watchdog.
In the last two years 100,000 complaints have been made to a Government-funded advice line and now Consumer Focus wants to identify key issues that prevent mobile phone users from getting a fair deal.
It is consulting with industry experts and consumers.
"The love affair with mobile phones is turning sour," said Ed Mayo, Consumer Focus chief executive. "Tariffs are complex and public confidence in the service providers is low.
"Our investigation will take a robust look at the sector and we invite the public and concerned organisations to feed in to our work so we can tackle the issues facing consumers head on."
Contact www.consumer focus.org.uk/mobilephones or write to: Mobile phone sector consultation, Consumer Focus, Artillery House, 11-19 Artillery Row, London SW1P 1RT. The closing date for views is June 23.
How to harvest your own veg
GET ready to grow your own fruit and vegetables as part of Compost Awareness Week.
This week is all about learning how to make a difference through composting.
You can do that by collecting household kitchen and garden waste such as vegetable peelings and apple cores or tissues.
Consumers are also encouraged to make the 'greener choice' by using peat-free composts containing recycled materials. For a compost bin or tips go to www.compostawareness week.org.uk.
Beware cowboy home letting agents
HUNDREDS of thousands of pounds is lost each year to unprofessional and unethical letting agents, said an industry watchdog.
The Association of Residential Lettings Agents (Arla) said that a growing number of tenants and landlords are losing out to cowboy agents.
Funds are usually lost when an agent has:
Not provided client money protection
Not taken out professional indemnity insurance
Gone into administration,
Not joined the tenancy deposit scheme
Made no commitment to an independent redress scheme.
Arla has now launched a licensing scheme for all members, to encourage the highest standards for UK letting agents.
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Sunday 12 February 2012
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