Over 50s home insurance provider Saga is warning homeowners not to take on DIY jobs which could lead to disaster, including damage to the home or even a trip to hospital.

While one in four over 50s opts to pay for a tradesman to do their odd jobs for them around the house, 10 per cent still insist on carrying out the work themselves, which sometimes has disastrous consequences, Saga’s research has found.

Of those over 50s who try a bit of Do It Yourself (DIY), 10 per cent have to call in a professional to undo the damage they have done, and almost a third have caused themselves an injury in the process of DIY, with three per cent requiring a trip to the hospital.

The over 50s remain more handy around the house than their younger counterparts, however, as twice as many under 50s (21 per cent) have to call out a tradesman to fix a botched DIY job.

The over 50s are not being deterred from carrying out home improvements, despite difficult economic conditions putting the squeeze on consumer finances, but 47 per cent rope in a family member or partner to help out with jobs around the house to save on getting in a professional.

If they must do it themselves, then Saga home insurance urges the over 50s to ensure that they are protected in the event that something goes awry, and they end up doing more harm than good to their homes.

“Homeowners should check they have accidental damage cover as part of their home insurance,” suggests Andrew Goodsell, executive chairman of Saga Financial Services, “just in case their DIY dreams turn in to DIY disasters.”

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© Fair Investment Company Ltd