DIY jobs you shouldn't attempt yourself (and those you can)

Doing it yourself can save a lot of money, but before you grab that drill, find out which DIY jobs experts recommend you don't tackle yourself.

We asked Which? Trusted Traders* to tell us which botched DIY jobs they are most commonly called out to fix.

Changing light fittings, wiring sockets and fixing leaks are among those that homeowners have unsuccessfully attempted, so you might be better off leaving them to a professional.

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The DIY jobs to avoid

With any DIY task, what's reasonable for you to attempt will depend on your level of skill and experience. While some people are more than capable of changing a washer on a tap, for others this could lead to DIY disaster.

DIY electrical and plumbing jobs seem to cause the most strife. Here are the most common jobs that Which? Trusted Traders reported being called out to fix after a failed DIY attempt: 

Electrical 

1. Replacing a light fitting
2. Changing/installing sockets and switches
3. Installing electrics in garages and sheds
4. Repairing/replacing home wiring
5. Installing an electrical appliance

Plumbing

1. Fixing a leak
2. Plumbing in appliances
3. Plumbing in a bathroom suite
4. Changing taps
5. Plumbing in a kitchen sink

We also surveyed Which? members about the DIY jobs they'd attempted. Their answers corresponded almost perfectly with the jobs that Trusted Traders are most often asked to fix. 

The five most commonly attempted DIY jobs were: 

• changing sockets or switches
• replacing a light fitting
• replacing taps
• fixing blocked drains, pipes or a toilet
• plumbing in an appliance. 

If you're considering doing one of these jobs yourself, make sure you know what you're doing before you start.

Other DIY disasters

We also asked Which? Trusted Traders to describe some of the biggest or most obvious mistakes they'd seen in a DIY job. 

The answers included the following:

• Light-switch wiring: one homeowner's attempt at wiring in a light switch left them unable to turn the light off.
• Radiator valve: when trying to repair a leak, a homeowner didn't support their radiator valve, which meant they bent the pipe and created a much bigger leak.
• Replacing a fuse for an oven: a homeowner used a 30-amp fuse for a 40-amp power supply, meaning it tripped when the oven was on full power.
• Washing machine plumbing: during an attempt to install a plastic nut for their washing machine, the homeowner damaged their hose and caused a leak.
• USB socket wiring: while installing a USB socket, a tenant connected the wires the wrong way round, which can cause damage to some electronic components and could be a safety hazard.

DIY jobs that require a professional 

While it might be tempting to test your skills and avoid calling out a trader, you should always steer clear of jobs that should only be completed by qualified professionals (unless you are one).

Some electrical jobs need to be signed off by local authority building control, unless they're done by a registered electrician who can sign off the work themselves. These jobs include installing a new circuit or replacing a fuse box. 

We recommend you hire a registered electrician for all work that must comply with part-P regulations. If you don't, you must tell building control first (you can't start the work until you get the go ahead) and pay a fee for an inspection. 

Similarly, any jobs involving gas should only be done by Gas Safe-registered engineers so you don't put yourself or others at risk. All gas businesses must be on the Gas Safe Register by law.

While plumbing jobs don't usually have the same potential for dangerous errors, DIY plumbing mistakes could still leave you with injuries or cause flooding and water damage in your home.

Reconsidering whether you should attempt that DIY project? Use Which? Trusted Traders to find a professional in your area:

DIY tasks for beginners

For those who are new to DIY, it's important to stick to what you're comfortable doing and check that you have the materials and equipment to finish the job before you start work.

Allow yourself more time than you think you need to complete your project – tasks often turn out to be fiddly or have unexpected complications.

Jobs that most DIY beginners should be able to do include:

• painting and decorating - follow our advice on how to paint a room
• bleeding radiators - read our guide on how to bleed your radiators
• straightforward draughtproofing measures - find out how to draughtproof your home
• checking or topping up the system pressure on your boiler - here's what to do when your boiler's losing pressure
• regrouting tiles or resealing around a sink, bath or shower 
• cleaning carpets and sofas - follow our advice on how to clean a carpet or how to clean a sofa
• putting up pictures or shelves
• patching plaster after a rewire or minor damage - read our guide on how to plaster a wall
• fixing some appliance problems - discover how to fix common washing machine problems, common dishwasher faults and common fridge freezer issues.

It's still important that you only attempt jobs you have the skill and experience to take on. Always read the manufacturer's instructions on materials and tools before use.

Feeling inspired? Discover 12 DIY jobs you can do in a weekend, and make sure you have all the toolbox essentials

How to stay safe when doing DIY

First, don't attempt anything you don't feel confident about – you risk damaging your home and yourself.

Make sure you have the necessary protective kit for the tasks you're attempting, for example:

• eye protection when doing jobs that create dust or debris
• a dust mask for sanding or other jobs with products that give off small particles or fumes
• gloves to protect your hands
• sturdy shoes to protect your feet if you drop something on them.

Take care when laying dust sheets so they don't cause any slips or trips, and make sure you know exactly where wires, gas and water pipes are before you take a hammer or drill to a wall.

Will your home insurance cover DIY disasters?

In general, home insurance will cover a range of unpredictable events, including any issues arising as a result of DIY attempts. However, you should always check the fine print before you attempt any work.

In 2023, Go.compare** examined its latest claims data and found that accidental damage was responsible for 28% of claims made by homeowners in 2022. 

In 2024, research from Direct Line business insurance*** revealed that 22% of DIYers ended up calling in professionals to fix their failed projects, with an average repair bill of £919.

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*This is an updated version of an article originally published in 2019 using using data from surveys of Which? members and Which? Trusted Traders, both conducted in 2019.

**Claims to blame: most common home insurance claims revealed

***Call in the professionals - £900 cost of TikTok DIY disasters

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