27 March 2007
Spring is in the air and many homeowners are catching the DIY bug, leading Halifax to warn consumers to make sure they prepare financially for the full cost of any home improvements.
"We'd advise anyone planning any major improvements to their home to employ qualified and reputable tradesmen, rather than going it alone," said Vicky Emmott, senior underwriting manager at Halifax.
"Indeed trying to tackle certain areas that you are not qualified for, such as electrics or plumbing, could invalidate your home insurance and leave you liable for the cost of any subsequent damage," she added.
According to figures from Halifax, Brits spend around £10 billion a year on DIY jobs around the home and with the cost of fixing bad jobs estimated at an enormous £670 million per year, getting in the experts - while more expensive at the time - could pay off in the long run.
Forking out for reliable workmen can seem like a daunting task, but the some financial advisers recommend shopping around and find a suitable secured loan to help spread the cost of the renovations.
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