Nearly a third of Brits say younger generations have lost the DIY touch, new research1 from Nationwide shows. But it also transpires that Gen Z and Millennials are less likely to leave a job half-finished than older generations.
Nationwide commissioned the poll of more than 2,000 people as part of a focus on housing habits, particularly first-time buyers. Last year Britain’s biggest building society lent to more first-time buyers than any other lender.
The poll highlights that 30 per cent of people believe younger generations are losing their DIY skills, with Baby Boomers most likely to think knowledge has slipped through the cracks between generations (40%). Even Gen Z themselves aren’t convinced of their own skillset, with four in ten (41%) saying they fall short. However, Millennials are more likely to back themselves, with just 19 per cent agreeing that their handywork skills are diminishing.
Why the skills gap?
The top reason cited for the perceived skills shortfall is that knowledge isn’t being passed down through generations (40%). This is followed by the belief that manual skills aren’t as much a priority anymore (38%). Over a third (37%) believe the decline is due to a lack of practical education, and 36 per cent say it’s because someone can be easily hired to do the job.
Getting the job done:
Despite having less DIY knowhow, the poll shows that when Gen Z do take on a DIY project - they stick with it. In fact, those aged 16 to 28 are the most likely to live by the ‘I’ve started, so I’ll finish’ mindset, with unfinished tasks lingering just three to four months on average – the shortest amount of time among all generations. This is three months less than the average for Brits (just over seven months).2
By contrast, Millennials (ages 29-44) leave jobs unfinished for nearly six months of average, while for Gen X (ages 45-60) this stretches to just over 10 months. Baby Boomers (ages 61-79) leave jobs incomplete for an average of 11 months.2
One in ten (10%)3 of all Brits admit leaving DIY jobs unfinished for a year or more.
Who’s really the boss?
The practical generational gap is perhaps why nearly a quarter (23%) of Gen Z say their parents are the real DIY bosses at home. For Millennials (29%) and Gen X (28%), a partner or spouse plays a big role.
DIY spending:
Younger generations are investing more in DIY – whether that’s buying tools or hiring professionals to do the job for them. This is perhaps due to older generations having accumulated more tools and saving money as a result of being able to do jobs themselves. Over the past 12 months, Millennials have spent an average of £1,123 on DIY tasks, with Gen Z spending £1,014 on average. This compares to just £794 for Gen X, with Baby Boomers spending just £444.
Top jobs:
When it comes to what DIY is being done, jobs are broadly consistent across the generations. Hanging pictures, painting walls and hanging curtains and blinds are the most common jobs that have been attempted.
- Hanging pictures (46%)
- Painting internal walls/ceilings (42%)
- Hanging curtains/blinds (39%)
- Assembling flat pack furniture (36%)
- Clearing blocked sinks, toilets and drains (35%)
- Filling in cracks (30%)
- Bleeding radiators (29%) – just nine per cent of Gen Z and Millennials have bled a radiator vs 53 per cent of Boomers.
- Putting up shelfs/cupboards (28%)
- Wallpapering (27%)
- Replacing door handles/locks (25%)
Digital DIY - YouTube leads the way:
YouTube remains the top go-to source for DIY help across all age groups (46%), proving that video tutorials are the new instruction manual. Despite this, nearly a third (31%) state that family is where they go for tips and wisdom. For Gen Z, TikTok is used by the same percentage as YouTube (46%), while Millennials are also using Facebook (25%) and Instagram (25%) for guidance.
Carlo Pileggi, Nationwide’s Head of Mortgage Products, said: “As the nation’s second largest mortgage lender, we’re really interested in how people turn their houses into homes. Our research suggests DIY skills and knowledge are not being passed down to younger generations – but while Gen Z and Millennials might not be doing as much handywork as previous generations, they’re spending more and finishing what they start. Forget dusty manuals and an old toolbox; today’s how-to comes from TikTok hacks and YouTube tutorials. So, if you hear stop-start drilling and repeat talking at 10pm, relax. It’s likely someone rewatching a tutorial as they struggle to assemble that infuriating flatpack!”
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