DIY to 'pick up' in the spring

A growing number of people are likely to put on their overalls and get out their tool boxes to undertake DIY next year, it has been claimed.

Jason Orme, editor of Homebuilding and Renovating magazine, said lots of people have put off DIY during Christmas, but will probably start getting round to it in the spring.

"DIY jobs, by their very nature, are things that really can't be avoided for too long and people may well put them off on a temporary basis," he said, adding: "But it is something that they will have to look at and I'm sure that a lot of people are putting them off until the spring."

A recent report published by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors found that the average cost of home improvements has gone up by 20 per cent over the last two year.

In related news, the Focus DIY chain has requested monthly rent agreements as it tries to cope with the economic downturn, reported the Financial Times.