The small repairs worth doing yourself, and a clear line about the ones that are not.
Worth doing yourself
- Bleeding a radiator. Two minutes, a key and a cloth. See
- A dripping tap, which is usually a washer or a cartridge and is a cheap part.
- Filling and making good, see walls, doors and windows.
- Changing a fuse in a plug, using the right rating for the appliance.
- Unblocking a sink or toilet mechanically.
- Draughtproofing.
- Replacing silicone sealant, which is fiddly but forgiving.
Not worth doing yourself
- Anything gas. It is illegal to work on gas appliances in the UK unless you are Gas Safe
registered, and it is illegal for good reason.
- Anything in a consumer unit, or new circuits. Most electrical work in a home is
notifiable under Part P.
- Anything structural, including removing walls and cutting joists.
- Roof work, which is the most common cause of serious DIY injury.
- Asbestos, in any house built or refurbished before 2000. Leave it and get it tested.
The bit that saves the most money
Turn the water off before you start, and know where the stopcock is before you need it. The single most expensive domestic DIY mistake is a small plumbing job that becomes a flood because nobody could find the valve.
Take a photograph before you dismantle anything. It is free and it will save you.