Households warned over DIY projects

Millions of homeowners could be at risk of invalidating their home insurance policies if they do not employ qualified tradespeople when completing home improvement projects, one firm has warned.

According to Halifax Home Insurance, more than 1.7 million people in the UK have left a DIY or home renovation project unfinished for over two years.

However, the company warned that people could risk invalidating their policies of they carry out complex work without adequate training.

David Rochester, head of underwriting at Halifax Home Insurance, said that employing a qualified tradesperson can ensure that work is completed on time, on budget and to an acceptable standard.

Indeed, employing a qualified tradesperson to complete complex renovation projects is vital if householders don't want to risk invalidating their insurance policy if a problem occurs, he warned.

Andrew Leech, technical consultant to the National Home Improvement Council, recently said that the most DIY-ers ought to do is basic jobs, such as hanging cupboards, painting walls and wallpapering.

Those without the relevant knowledge should not attempt re-plumbing or electrical work, he stated.