Over a third (34%) say they look online for information for help with home repairs. This shows how powerful digital media has become, having access to information in just seconds via your mobile phone, but some still choose to use their phones the old fashion way and call a friend (30%) or a parent (13%).
When it comes to actually carrying out repair work, over half (56%) of homeowners said they turn to a professional to get the job done.
This rises to a staggering 68% for Londoners, showing that tradesmen in the capital are very much in demand with homeowners. For professionals, this latest data is reassuring to see as it shows that they are the first port of call for homeowners.
The fact that homeowners are more likely to call a tradesman than attempt to carry out work with no help (27%) also suggests that people are investing a lot more into their properties in terms of care and appearance, valuing quality work over money saving methods.
Young homeowners are most reliant on parents when it comes to making repairs and carrying out DIY (40%). This could suggest a lack of knowledge when it comes to basic repairs for the younger generation who have grown up in a world of quick fixes and access to instant help or support via technology.
This data isn’t surprising given that previous research by Plentific revealed a fifth of homeowners said they rely on the Bank of Mum and Dad to help finance home improvements, with 19% admitting their parents physically help them to carry out DIY.
Stephen Jury, spokesperson for Plentific, commented, “With technology evolving at such a rapid pace, it’s not really surprising to see the modern way in which homeowners are trying to learn how to do small DIY jobs or repairs.
The ease of finding information on Google or viewing a ‘How To’ video on YouTube means these could be the first things people look to. But when it comes to actually getting the job done, our data shows the majority of homeowners call in the experts for top quality work.”
