British DIYers Cry Over a Little Spilt Glue

Published: April 24, 2012
By: Lisa Kaplan Gordon
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The British are flubbing DIY projects, just like the rest of us. But, really, is spilling paint or glue a home DIY disaster?

Keep Calm poster to stave off DIY crisis

Despite what the British may think, a little spilt glue or paint does not qualify as a DIY disaster. Image: Decor Adventures

When we read a recent survey of British attitudes toward DIY projects, we expected to learn that the Brits are performing more DIY projects to save money; we all are.

But we were gobsmacked to read what DIY projects the British consider “disasters:”

Spilled paint or glue

Wall damage

Broken window

Broken furniture

Ceiling damage

Obviously, they don’t know what a real disaster is. But we do. Real DIY disasters are:

Puncturing a hole in a water pipe, and flooding the house when nailing up drywall.

Installing cabinets upside-down.

Bodily injuries resulting from falling off a ladder, bad aim with a nail gun, and improper use of a saw.

We do agree with our friends across the pond when it pays to do it yourself:

Painting a room

Putting up shelves

Small odd jobs

Wallpapering a room

And when it pays to hire a professional:

Building an extension

Large-scale electrical jobs

Large-scale plumbing jobs

Plastering

Installing a shower or bathroom

What’s been your worst DIY experience?

Lisa Kaplan Gordon

is a HouseLogic contributor and builder of luxury homes in McLean, Va. She’s been a Homes editor for Gannett News Service and has reviewed home improvement products for AOL.

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