UK’s most Googled DIY jobs revealed amid warning over home insurance risks
More than one in five Brits (21%) are now choosing to tackle DIY jobs themselves instead of calling in a professional. With household budgets under pressure and tradesperson costs rising, it’s no surprise that more people are deciding to do it themselves.
But while confidence is climbing, so are the risks.
From plumbing mishaps to electrical errors, getting it wrong doesn’t just mean frustration, it could lead to expensive repairs and, in some cases, could risk voiding their home insurance cover.
Why more Brits are doing it themselves
Our research shows that for most people, the motivation is simple: saving. Over a third say that cutting costs motivates them to do DIY (36%), while others want to improve their home (30%), prove they can complete the job without help (28%), or avoid paying tradesperson fees (24%).
Some are hoping to get jobs done faster (20%) while others say that they are inspired purely by social media tutorials (16%).
But before picking up their toolboxs, many are picking up their phones. Google has become the nation’s unofficial DIY assistant, offering guidance on everything from painting walls to rewiring light fittings.
Expectations Vs Reality
Despite the nations’ growing enthusiasm to do it themselves, expectations don’t always match reality. One in ten (10%) admit they’ve had to call in a professional to finish a job they started, while a quarter found a “simple” task far more difficult than expected.
For 23%, projects took twice as long as planned, and one in six (16%) even say they regretted starting the job altogether.
The UK’s most Googled DIY jobs
Search data shows just how heavily Brits rely on online advice for home projects.
The most searched DIY query in the past year was “how to bleed a radiator”, with nearly 400,000 searches. Other popular searches include “how to get rid of black mould” and “how to wallpaper”.
More concerningly, searches for electrical advice - including "how to wire a light switch” (43,200) - were also among the top 10, despite the serious safety risks if done incorrectly.
With endless tutorials available online, confidence is rising. With a little guidance from Google more than half of Brits (57%) said they feel ready to tackle cosmetic projects like painting and wallpapering, nearly a quarter (23%) believe they can handle minor plumbing tasks and around one in five (21%) say they are confident tiling.
Around one in six (16%) even said they would attempt electrical work, while a brave 13% feel prepared to take on structural projects.
But, what begins as a money-saving effort can quickly turn into an expensive fix.
The hidden dangers
Despite more Brits attempting DIY, our research highlights a lack of awareness when it comes to home insurance, with one in ten (11%) admitting they have carried out work without considering how it could affect their cover.
More concerningly, eight per cent say they’ve ignored safety guidelines to get a job done faster, while almost one in ten (9%) have had a project go wrong and cause damage to their property.
The DIY jobs that could invalidate your home insurance
Our Home Insurance Expert Kara Gammell, explains: “Before starting any project, it’s important to check your policy and understand what’s covered. A quick review now could prevent an unwelcome surprise later on.
“Some larger home improvements can come with added risks should something go wrong. Roof repairs, removing walls, plumbing work, electrical changes and adding outbuildings can all affect insurance if done incorrectly or without informing your insurer. Even comprehensive policies may exclude poor workmanship or faulty materials, meaning a claim linked to DIY work may not be covered.
“If you are unsure, it is always worth speaking to your insurer before you start. That way, you can get the work done and enjoy the results, without worrying about whether your policy will still protect you.”
Sources
Research conducted by Censuswide surveying 1,000 UK adults in January 2025.
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