Britain is a nation of dodgy DIYers ‘risking their lives’ doing electrical and fuel work
A lot of us have illegally done gas and electric jobs rather than getting qualified tradesman in and some require certification from a registered installer
The UK is a nation of dodgy DIY-ers who are risking their lives carrying out work that should be done by professionals.
A quarter of adults have illegally undertaken gas and electrical jobs in their homes, such as installing cookers or moving sockets, rather than getting in a qualified tradesperson.
Some 41% of those who had a go at potentially dangerous DIY jobs, claimed “it looked straightforward”, a third were trying to save cash, and a quarter were egged on by how-to vids they had watched on social media.
In almost three in 10 cases the hazardous tasks were completed without getting building control approval or certification from a registered installer.
Two in five bodgers were unaware that doing gas or electrical projects without obtaining certification was against the law – a crime that can lead to unlimited fines and a criminal conviction.
Nearly one in 10 offenders had installed or moved leccy sockets in a kitchen, bathroom or outdoors.
Almost as many (8%) had illegally fitted a shower, oven or storage heaters, while 6% installed lighting circuits.
And 4% worked on their home’s mains electrical supply or had rewired their pad, found Direct Line business insurance.
More than half of the 2,000 Brits surveyed – 55% – never get their hazardous handiwork approved.
While 22% admit asking a qualified engineer to inspect their work and issue a certificate as a favour.
Around a fifth (17%) asked a professional tradesman or woman to officially rubberstamp their bodge job in exchange for a fee.
And 6% of householders did the work themselves then arranged for it to be approved by their local authority retrospectively.
A whopping 15% of adults were unaware that faulty DIY work could cause serious injury or even death.
Over one in 10 – some 12% – didn’t know that town halls could insist that homeowners put dangerous work right at their own expense.
More than one in five are unaware that failing to provide certificates for gas and electrical work could cause problems when selling a home.
Direct Line’s Mark Summerville said: “DIY can seem like a simple way to save money, but when it comes to gas, electrics and major repairs, the risks can be serious.
“Some jobs demand the expertise, tools and experience that only registered installers can provide.
“When it comes to work involving gas or electrics, it’s always best to call in the professionals to stay within the law and protect your health, safety and finances.”
