DIY News Stories

Research recently carried out by Homebase has found that around half of those questioned would attempt a DIY job themselves in a bid to save money. It also showed that 83% of consumers had undertaken at least one DIY job in the past 12 months. It seems that the numbers of people making improvements to their homes has not been affected by the economy, but the numbers who are willing to do it themselves has.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is encouraging people to donate BIG to their local Furniture & Electrical Store this September as part of the nation’s biggest ever stock appeal – The BIG Donation. The BIG Donation aims to make 25,000 (1) free household collections during September - the equivalent of £3 million – and everyone can help by donating good quality sofas, TV’s, wardrobes, fridges, beds, tables, kettles and toasters. All funds raised will go towards fighting heart disease – the nation’s biggest killer.

An arsonist who set fire to several DIY stores in Kent has been jailed for 4 years. Benny Joe Dighton pleaded guilty to arson at B&Q stores in Maidstone and Larkfeild and one at Homebase in Aylesford. The man was caught on CCTV at all of the stores during the May bank holiday of this year when the fires occurred. He was arrested later that day.

For the 4^th year in a row, supermarkets and other retailers including DIY stores have cut the number of carrier bags used in their stores. In fact during those 4 years the total weight of material used to make supermarket bags has fallen by 50%, despite sales rising by 6%. The British Retail Consortium has commented that the voluntary approach adopted by supermarkets appears to be working and make the need for bans or charges much less likely.

Two years after it left the UK retail scene after falling into administration, MFI is set to make a comeback. The announcement was made on the company's website where it has described itself as “refreshed”. The retail brand was bought recently by plumbing business the Walker Group for £250,000.

A recent study by Halifax Home Insurance has discovered that around 50% of those aged under 35 do not know how to rewire a plug, while 54% couldn't bleed a radiator and an incredible 63% admitted that they would never attempt putting up wallpaper. The survey also found that 45% would ask someone else to put up a shelf and 36% don't even bother to do their gardens.

A study by The Building Cost Information Service has discovered that 58% of UK properties are currently over insured. In most cases this is due to the fact that home-owners are insuring their property for the market value rather than the rebuild cost. This means that home-owners are paying £140 more per year than they need to on their buildings insurance.

With WERs and U values becoming mandatory for windows on 1^st October the industry appears to have largely forgotten about doors (which will need to adhere to a door U Value of 1.8 or lower as well). Yes, to those who haven’t been following this legislation change closely it will merely seem like another hoop for manufacturers to jump through. But in actual fact the introduction of a door U value is a huge step towards the government’s plans for all new build homes to be ‘0 carbon’ compliant.

B&Q have joined together with the Prince of Wales to support A Garden Party To Make A Difference – an event which will be held from September 8 -19. This unique festival will take place in the grounds of Lancaster House, Clarence house and Marlborough House on each day and will hope to entertain and inform visitors about how to live a more sustainable life.

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When you’re a homeowner it makes a lot of sense to embrace DIY. There’s the cost saving for a start, not to mention the satisfaction of completing a project yourself. That said, you’re always looking for ways to solve DIY dilemmas quickly and efficiently with the minimum of fuss.