Every other weekend of the year, we restrain ourselves to buying the odd bidet, flower pot, or radiator. Sales go up by 35 per cent. One in five is convinced he can do a better job than a professional builder or decorator, according to reports from the Woolwich. The symptoms vary. Men who glaze over at the sight of a pot of paint or men who reminisce about their woodworking lessons at school are worst affected.
Women are slightly more restrained.
Only 17 per cent think they can do a better job than a professional, says the Woolwich. Last week the Social Issues Research Centre in Oxford published a report on the behaviour of the DIY tribe. It identifies five types of DIY-er. Next largest is the Frustrated Artist. This species sees DIY as a chance to express their dormant talent as a Michelangelo.