DIY mistakes that could cost you £43,850 – and how to avoid them this bank holiday weekend

MANY people will be using the upcoming Easter bank holiday as a time to carry out some home improvements.

But did you know taking on DIY work without understanding the risks can come at a hefty price.

One wrong move could land you with a massive bill, a criminal record, or put you or someone you know in serious danger.

Internal research by Admiral Insurance found three quarters of DIY related home insurance claims received in the last three years were as a result of decorating mishaps.

Noel Summerfield, household director at the firm, told The Sun that while many will be filled with confidence when it comes to DIY jobs, “they could be misguided”.

“Others are finding that DIY mishaps result in an injury, requiring first aid and even resulting in a trip to the hospital.

He added: “It’s concerning that some tasks like electrical work and gas appliance installation are being mistaken for jobs suitable to DIY.”

We take a look at the DIY mistakes that could cost you £43,850.

A DIY extension – up to £20,000

Depending on the size of the extension, a trade professional could quote you up to £150,000.

So it is no surprise that homeowners want to give it a go themselves to save some cash.

But to do this, you will need to have expert knowledge of planning permission and also be confident dealing with plumbing and electrical works to ensure your safety.

If something goes wrong and you have to call in help, you could end up paying what you were quoted and any extras for repairs.

This could amount to 20,000, according to Andy Kille, a Checkatrade member and owner of Andy Kille building and property maintenance.

He said: “[This] is a structural job that I would completely avoid unless you have some serious practical experience of your own – otherwise there is a risk of the job being structurally unsound and unsafe.”

One way to save costs on an extension, if you do decide to hire a tradesperson, is to buy the materials yourself.

This can cut the costs of what a carpenter or builder would charge for sourcing the products themselves.

Knocking down a wall – £1,500

You could be quoted up to £1,500 to knock down a wall in a house depending on where it is situated.

As tempting as it may sound to take a hammer and get it done yourself, this could come with serious risks.

For example, if you knock down a wall that is supporting the weight of the walls or the floors above you could end damaged the structure of your home.

This could lead to cracks or soggy floors.

If things go wrong you will have to pay for a professional to carry out the task plus repairs.

Andy said: “As a rule of thumb, I would never recommend a non-professional to attempt anything structural.

“It is trickier than you may think to identify a load bearing wall, so never attempt to knock down an internal wall yourself.”

Ignoring planning rules – £20,000

You may need planning rules for an extension if, for example you live in a listed building, or more than half the land around your house is to be built on.

If you proceed without planning permission, and later find out it’s needed, you can apply for retrospective approval.

Retrospective planning permission will cost you between £200-£600, Andy said.

However, if this is then refused, you’ll be faced with knocking down the entire project. 

Failure to comply with an enforcement notice is a criminal offence and you can face prosecution in the most extreme cases in a Magistrates’ or Crown Court.

The maximum fine in a magistrates court is £20,000, but there is no limit on the maximum fine a Crown Court could impose. 

Removing health risks – £2,350

Andy said that carrying out risky jobs like removing asbestos yourself could cost your health as well as over £2,000.

He said: “The main issue that comes with removing health risks yourself is that you are unlikely to identify the entire problem.

“Removing asbestos, for example, is not only dangerous but more difficult to spot than you might think.

This means that although you might remove some of the risk, you are more likely to leave a job half done.

He added: “Experts also use professional grade health equipment for these jobs which enable them to more successfully, and safely, complete the job.”

He said you would have to pay £2,350 to hire an expert to come and professionally do the job.