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Young home owners 'turn to pros for winter-proofing'
02/12/10
Edited by Tom Bardsley.With much of Britain under a blanket of snow, a new poll has revealed that younger residential property owners would rather turn to professionals for winter maintenance than try their hand at it themselves.
The survey by Saga found that while over a quarter of people aged 50 and above would repair or replace loose and missing roof tiles ahead of bad weather, only one per cent of 25 to 34-year-olds would take on the job.
In addition, 12 per cent of the older generation would attempt to fix pipes that have cracked or burst due to freezing temperatures, compared with just four per cent of under-35s.
According to the company, the figures show that DIY culture has become YDI - "you do it" - with many households happy to hire a builder or plumber to carry out essential winter work.
Saga director-general Dr Ros Altmann said whatever way home owners choose to tackle maintenance or repairs, making sure a house is "safe and sound" could save them money in the long run.
A recent poll by Yorkshire and Clydesdale banks suggested calling in the professionals could be the best option for people who are not confident about their DIY skills, as botched building work cost Britons £235 million to put right in the 12 months to October.
