We all love the idea of fixing things ourselves.

There’s something satisfying about rolling up your sleeves, grabbing some tools, and tackling that loose shelf or peeling wallpaper.

But for many Brits, the “do it yourself” route is turning into a “pay someone else to fix it later” problem—especially when rolling pins are replacing hammers and credit cards are moonlighting as grout spreaders.

The Toolbox Is Missing, but the Confidence Isn’t

A recent survey reveals that a surprising number of under-40s are diving into DIY projects without even owning the most basic tool: a toolbox.

In fact, four in ten admitted they don’t have one.

Even more striking, three-quarters of people confess to starting projects without the proper gear.

Instead of proper tools, many are turning to whatever is lying around the house—whether it’s a kitchen knife or a spoon—just to get the job done.

Unfortunately, this level of improvisation is backfiring in costly ways.

DIY Disasters Are Common—and Expensive

The study found that 72% of people had at least five DIY disasters in the last year, with each mishap costing an average of £1,555.

That adds up to a jaw-dropping £7,775 per person annually just to fix DIY blunders.

And over half of all respondents admitted they eventually had to call a professional to sort out the mess.

Some of the most common mistakes include poorly hung shelves, electrical mix-ups, and even burst pipes—all because of the wrong tools or no real tools at all.

The Creative Substitutes Are Eye-Opening

It turns out Brits are very inventive when it comes to makeshift tools.

Here are some of the top household items being misused in the name of DIY:

Kitchen knives as screwdrivers (71%)
Scissors to trim hedges (63%)
Credit cards to spread grout (40%)
Kitchen bowls to mix wallpaper paste (37%)
Sellotape to fix leaking pipes (36%)
Broomsticks for clearing gutters (33%)
Tupperware to mix wall filler (32%)
Rolling pins standing in as hammers (31%)
Spoons for digging out weeds (31%)

And when it comes to hanging pictures or shelves, 66% of people admit they just guess if it looks level—with 72% insisting it’s straight, even without a spirit level.

Confidence Doesn’t Equal Competence

Even though so many are jumping headfirst into home repairs, many know their skills are lacking.

Nearly a quarter of people surveyed said they’re just plain “rubbish” at DIY.

And 13% confessed they rely on internet tutorials when they don’t know what they’re doing.

No shame in Googling, but it doesn’t always translate to success with power tools.

No surprise then that three out of four respondents said these repeated mishaps have put them off from DIY altogether.

Tradespeople Say DIY Skills Are in Decline

It’s not just homeowners who are noticing this pattern—professional tradespeople are too. According to 500 pros surveyed:

43% believe DIY skills have declined in recent years
30% say the drop has been significant
10% are called at least once a week to fix DIY disasters

The most common problems they’re asked to fix include poorly installed shelves and cabinets (40%), electrical issues (37%), burst pipes (35%), and patchy painting or wallpapering (26%).

The Must-Have Tools You Really Should Own

So what should be in every home toolbox? According to the experts, the basics go a long way. Essential items include:

Tape measure
Spirit level
Power drill
Screwdrivers
Allen keys
Hammer (yes, an actual hammer—not your rolling pin)

A Final Word of Caution

Rebecca Leversidge from Premierline, the insurance company that commissioned the research, summed it up perfectly: “While innovation and initiative in the home is admirable, DIY is often a risky substitute for calling in a professional—especially when the average fix costs over £1,500.”

So before you pick up your next spoon-to-screwdriver combo, maybe ask yourself: is this really a job for me… or for someone with a power drill and an actual clue?