Men feel more like Jamie Olivers than Handy Andys

Nearly half (44 per cent) of the UK male population today feel more at home cooking a meal than they do carrying out basic home improvements, according to research from Prudential Home Insurance.

Despite this, the coming May bank holiday (May 7) will no doubt see thousands of couples set off to their local hardware store before embarking on the latest DIY tasks.

The insurer said that the profile and lifestyle of modern men had changed so much that nowadays only a quarter (23 per cent) felt confident putting up shelves and only 14 per cent would be able to move a light switch or plug. Three per cent of men admitted they would not like to do any household chores – be they domestic or DIY.

Phil Southgate, media relations manager at Prudential Home Insurance said:“Celebrity chefs such as Jamie Oliver and Gordon Ramsey have certainly played their part in spurring modern men to have a go in the kitchen compared to their DIY counterparts.

Today’s younger generation (18-24 year olds) are most likely to own no tools for house improvement at all and when it comes to electrical wiring, the over 60s were three times more confident (23 per cent) with moving a light switch or changing a plug compared to 25-34 year olds (seven per cent).

Southgate continues: “Spring bank holidays often entice men to dust down their toolkits and engage with a bit of home improvement. However, as very few men profess to being confident with DIY tasks, there are likely to be a number of wannabe Jamie Olivers well out of their comfort zone and at risk of doing a botch job this forthcoming May bank holiday.

“Whilst it may be fun to give it a go, what is worrying about this is that as many as eleven million people in Britain would potentially be out of pocket as they have no home contents insurance in the event of an accident or botched job. Furthermore, we would advise those thinking about carrying out any DIY tasks over the May bank holiday, with or without a qualified workman, to speak to their insurer first and keep them informed of any major redevelopments - this will almost certainly help in case of a claim.”

Pru’s top tips for safer DIY this Bank Holiday

1. Plan the task from beginning to end
2. Always use quality tools and materials
3. Never compromise on safety
4. Follow the instructions
5. Always seek professional advice for the bigger DIY tasks