DIY: Incredible parquet flooring created using wooden pallets

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More than 44 million have performed jobs normally carried out by people who know what they are doing, such as cutting or colouring hair, landscaping gardens or doing electrical work. Other DIY jobs included beauty treatments such as waxing and manicures, installing shelves, repairing fences and giving wallpapering a go, down to more complex jobs such as fitting a kitchen or bathroom. Although it kept people busy while stuck indoors, there is often a price to pay for amateur activities, according to research from Osu, the self-employed invoicing and payment app.

Almost one in three say their efforts led to wonky haircuts, spilt paint, leaky pipes and faulty wiring. Of these, two thirds expect to pay at least £500 to put things right and a quarter predict their errors will cost up to £1,000. Some will have to pay more than £5,000, while almost one in three suffered an injury including burnt skin from waxing, electrocution and falling off ladders.

This is bad news for the nation’s pride in its DIY skills but good news for smaller businesses as people see the benefits of using a qualified builder, plumber, decorator or hairdresser.

Osu co-founder Noam Nevo urged more to follow their lead and support small businesses and local suppliers: “With up to three million self-employed unable to claim grants under the Self- Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS), this has never been more important.”

He added: “Using a professional can save you thousands of pounds and spare you unnecessary injury.”

Almost seven out of 10 small and medium-sized businesses have seen cash flow hit by the pandemic, according to separate research from CapitalBox.

Chief executive Scott Donnelly said: “The closures of pubs, restaurants and shops has had a huge impact on small businesses that need our help to survive.”

At the same time, Britons have built up a massive cash pile in lockdown, which could soon total £180billion, according to the Office for Budget Responsibility.

Research from fund manager Fidelity International shows the average person has saved £439 on eating out at restaurants and £364 on going to the pub.

Fidelity’s associate director for personal investing, Emma-Lou Montgomery, said as nonessential stores open and outdoor dining returns, it is time to spend some of your lockdown savings and have some fun.

“Spend responsibly and save responsibly too, as you never know what is around the corner,” Montgomery said.

Rupert Thompson, chief investment officer at wealth manager Kingswood, said one threat is that wealthy people have saved most and are less likely to rush out and spend it: “Still, a chilly outdoor meal and drink at a pub looks tempting.”

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