Chris Houghton, a HomeServe engineer, said: “It’s no surprise that home renovation programmes are so popular, given that we spend so much time in our own home and wanting it to look its best.
“We want to encourage the nation to tackle common fixes around the home efficiently and safely as well as upgrading their homes, but often TV shows make the job look easier than it is and can lead to costly errors.”
HomeServe has a “knowledge hub” on its website with guides on home maintenance tasks.
Mr Houghton added: “It’s always important to consult a professional if in doubt, to avoid causing additional damage or incur a cost.”
Opinium surveyed 2,000 homeowners across the UK in July for the research.
There could also be electrical safety issues around attempting some home maintenance work.
David Powell, an electrical installation safety engineer at Electrical Safety First, said: “Undertaking any electrical work yourself can have unforeseen consequences, including leaving you and the household exposed to electric shock, burns, or even fire.”
He said some areas of the home are also required by law to meet building regulations and poorly undertaken work could result in a fine or being forced to undo the work.
