This country used to be DIY-crazy. At the weekend, dads all over Britain would be up a ladder, at their work-bench, or perhaps at the nearest DIY superstore picking up supplies.
According to the Telegraph, though, “dad skills” are becoming obsolete, and most younger men don’t have a clue how to put up a shelf or paint a wall. But should we still be trying to encourage DIY, or should we be content with getting the professionals in?
DIY vs Professional
Of course, claims that these skills are dead is an exaggeration based on statistics. Plenty of men, and women too, throughout the country are still expert DIYers, but it’s less prevalent than it used to be. The Telegraph article suggests it’s to do with modern gadgets being too complex for DIY repairs, but it could also have something to do with growing awareness of how dangerous DIY can be if it’s not done properly.
There are certainly times when it’s essential to have a professional job done. At those times, you need to have a service available like Handy Squad, handyman service in London UK.
The Dangers of DIY
Medical services treat vast quantities of DIY-related injuries, and, as the Regency Clinic points out, many of these are suffered by people who don’t know what they’re doing. We all have our limits, and if you know a job is beyond you, it isn’t sensible to try and tackle it yourself.
And, of course, there are jobs that no-one should attempt if they aren’t properly qualified. Gas appliances should certainly never be touched, and only the simplest electrical or plumbing jobs. Electrical Safety First advises that “If you need any electrical work done in your home, the best option is always to get a competent person to do the job for you.”
DIY with Caution
Does this mean we should give in to the trend and abandon DIY as a passing fad of the 20th century? It would be a great shame if that happened, and dads who still do DIY need to be passing those skills on to their children.
It’s important to be realistic, though. It’s fine if you can tackle carpentry, tiling or painting to near-professional standard, but the chances are most of us won’t be quite that good. If you want that expert, professional finish for a job, the best way to get it is to call in a handy man service like Handy Squad.