Finding a reliable builder

DO-IT-YOURSELF was the fifth most popular pursuit taken up during lockdown, according to a survey by website GoCompare. Meanwhile, a survey by SunLife of older couples who had been living together for more than 20 years found DIY and home improvements were the top cause of arguments, trumping even disputes over money.

There are many ways to interpret this information, but it suggests that perhaps the person taking up DIY might not have completed the job to the other’s satisfaction... And, while small maintenance jobs can potentially be carried out by DIY enthusiasts with plenty of time on their hands during lockdown, there will inevitably be tasks that require a skilled professional.

With more of us having spent time at home, the need to carry out such jobs has likely become much more obvious, which has created the pent-up demand. This is confirmed by the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), which says 55 per cent of tradespeople in the repair, maintenance and improvement sectors saw workloads increase significantly in the