Help needed for home improvement

Homeowners keen on DIY have been urged to get professional help when undertaking major projects.

Improving a property can add thousands of pounds to its market value, but if the owner bites off more than they can chew they could end up saddled with a massive repair bill.

Andrew Skipwith, of online directory service RatedPeople.com, said people should not be afraid to ask for help.

"If you're going to spend any money or any time improving your house, it's crucially important to have it done right, in a way that leaves you feeling very happy at the end of it rather than upset and jaded because you feel like you've been ripped off," he said.

Mr Skipwith warned that while a successful product could help secure a better return for a property, shoddy work can put off potential buyers.

"If you walk into a house and someone's been altering it but they haven't done it particularly well, you can actually damage the value of your property," he cautioned.

Insurer Allianz warned this week that DIY enthusiasts would be responsible for a combined repair bill of £25 million over the Easter weekend.


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