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08719844416Traditional skills are fading as convenience takes over. We reveal the UK's hire hotspots and the jobs we're too afraid to tackle.
Traditional DIY skills that were once passed down through generations are steadily disappearing across the UK. Fewer people are learning practical, hands-on home maintenance from parents or grandparents, and as a result, confidence in tackling even simple household jobs is low.
In fact, a 2026 study by HIPPO Waste that found 52% of Brits avoid DIY tasks specifically because they feel they lack the necessary skills. In the same study, 46% admit they simply don't have the confidence to try.
This feeling is reflected in our new DIY Skills Report, which analysed Google search data to understand how Brits approach home improvement today. The report findings reveal a clear trend: 70% of searches favour hiring a professional, compared to just 30% for DIY solutions.
To understand behaviour, we analysed two categories of search intent:
We then compared search volumes within the same category, with results revealing that while people are still researching how to carry out basic repairs, the majority are opting to bring in professionals instead.
Choosing between hiring a professional and doing a job yourself comes down to balancing convenience, cost, and capability. Hiring an expert brings experience and efficiency, reducing the risk of mistakes and making it the safer option for complex or regulated work like electrics or gas. It also saves time and effort, though it typically comes at a higher cost, may involve waiting for availability, and offers less control over the end result.
DIY, on the other hand, is usually more cost-effective and gives you full control, along with the chance to build new skills. Many tasks can be started straight away without relying on someone else. However, it can be time-consuming, may require specialist tools, and carries a greater risk of errors or safety issues, particularly for more complicated jobs.
Our research revealed that Nottingham is the UK’s most hire-dependent city, with residents 4.5 times more likely to hire help than attempt DIY tasks. An overwhelming 85% of home improvement-related searches in the city are focused on hiring professionals, highlighting a strong preference for outsourcing everyday jobs.
Close behind, Leicester (4.2 times more likely) and Manchester (4 times more likely) also rank among the top cities where residents favour hiring over doing it themselves. These cities show consistently high hire intent, with almost 84% of searches driven by professional services.
While London records the highest overall demand for hire tasks, with nearly 60,000 hire-related monthly searches, it ranks fourth in terms of behaviour, with residents 3.8 times more likely to hire than DIY. This suggests that while the capital dominates in scale, smaller cities are actually more reliant on outsourcing relative to DIY.
Elsewhere, cities such as Brighton and Stoke-on-Trent also demonstrate strong hire preferences, while cities further down the top 10, including Sheffield and Southampton, still show a clear majority of residents opting for professional help.
| Rank | City | Percentage look to Hire over DIY | Degree more likely to Hire rather than DIY |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Nottingham | 85% | 4.5x |
| 2 | Leicester | 84% | 4.2x |
| 3 | Manchester | 84% | 4.0x |
| 4 | London | 83% | 3.8x |
| 5 | Brighton | 79% | 2.8x |
| 6 | Stoke-on-Trent | 77% | 2.4x |
| 7 | Cardiff | 73% | 1.7x |
| 8 | Sheffield | 72% | 1.5x |
| 9 | Southampton | 71% | 1.5x |
| 10 | Newcastle upon Tyne | 71% | 1.5x |
While hiring dominates across the UK, some cities show a significantly stronger DIY culture. Bristol tops the list as the UK’s most DIY-oriented city, with 42% of searches focused on DIY tasks: meaning Bristolians are 1.4 times more likely than the UK average to take on a DIY job.
Close behind, Belfast sees 42% of searches focused on DIY, making residents 1.39 times more likely than average to attempt tasks themselves. Similarly, in Liverpool, 40% of searches are DIY-related, meaning homeowners are 1.35 times more likely than the UK average to take the DIY route, highlighting a more hands-on approach to home maintenance across these cities.
Cities such as Leeds (39%) and Edinburgh (36%) also show elevated DIY engagement, with residents 1.3 times and 1.21 times more likely, respectively, to take on tasks themselves. These cities stand out for combining strong DIY interest with high levels of hire demand, pointing to highly engaged home improvement markets.
Further down the list, Birmingham sees 34% of searches focused on DIY, making it 1.15 times more likely than average, while Bournemouth sits almost exactly in line with the UK average, with 30% of searches DIY-related (0.99 times).
Even in the most DIY-oriented cities, however, hiring still remains the dominant behaviour, reinforcing that while DIY culture varies regionally, professional services continue to lead overall demand across the UK.
| Rank | City | Percentage chose DIY over Hire | More likely to DIY compared to UK average |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Bristol | 42% | 1.4x |
| 2 | Belfast | 42% | 1.39x |
| 3 | Liverpool | 40% | 1.35x |
| 4 | Middlesbrough | 40% | 1.33x |
| 5 | Glasgow | 40% | 1.33x |
| 6 | Leeds | 39% | 1.30x |
| 7 | Edinburgh | 36% | 1.21x |
| 8 | Coventry | 35% | 1.18x |
| 9 | Birmingham | 34% | 1.15x |
| 10 | Bournemouth | 30% | 0.99x |
Queries like how to bleed a radiator (17,000 searches), how to fix a dripping tap (1,900), and how to tile a wall (1,700) are among the most commonly searched DIY jobs, alongside everyday upkeep tasks such as removing mould or cleaning a washing machine filter. These are typically straightforward jobs that don’t require specialist qualifications and can often be completed with minimal tools.
In contrast, hire-related searches point strongly towards more complex, urgent, or critical safety work. High-volume queries such as locksmith near me (39,000 searches) and electrician near me (23,000) highlight how often Brits turn to professionals when expertise is essential.
Other popular searches, including plasterers, boiler engineers, and emergency boiler repair services, reinforce the reliance on skilled tradespeople for jobs where mistakes could be costly or dangerous.
| Rank | DIY Related Keyword | Monthly search volumes |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | how to bleed a radiator | 17,000 |
| 2 | how to fix a dripping tap | 1,900 |
| 3 | how to tile a wall | 1,700 |
| 4 | how to remove mould from walls | 1,400 |
| 5 | how to clean washing machine filter | 1,100 |
| 6 | how to tighten toilet seat | 1,000 |
| 7 | how to paint furniture | 600 |
| 8 | how to reset boiler pressure | 300 |
| 9 | how to hang mirror on wall | 200 |
| 10 | Why does my electricity keep tripping / How to measure for flooring / How to reset fuse box | 150 |
| Rank | Keyword | Monthly Search volume |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | locksmith near me | 39,000 |
| 2 | electrician near me | 23,000 |
| 3 | plasterer near me | 4,400 |
| 4 | boiler engineer near me | 3,800 |
| 5 | emergency boiler repair | 1,900 |
| 6 | electrical repairs near me | 900 |
| 7 | cost of built in wardrobes | 300 |
| 8 | flat pack assembly service near me | 250 |
| 9 | electrical installation service | 250 |
| 10 | Handyman furniture assembly / Curtain fitting service near me | 150 |
“While it’s great to see homeowners taking an interest in DIY, it’s important that home improvers recognise their own individual limits. Deciding whether to DIY a job or hire professionals should come down to a balance of skill, safety, time and cost.
“Simple maintenance tasks like bleeding a radiator, tightening fixtures, basic decorating, or cleaning appliance filters are generally well within reach for most people. However, anything involving electrics, gas, boiler systems, or complex plumbing should always be handled by a qualified professional. Attempting these without the right knowledge can be dangerous and often ends up costing more in the long run.”
If you’re looking to build confidence with DIY, starting small is key. Radiator maintenance is one of the most searched and accessible entry points. Simple tasks like those below, can have a big impact, improving your heating efficiency and helping to reduce energy bills. All without requiring highly specialist tools or training.
Overall, the data shows a clear imbalance in how Brits approach home improvement, with 70% of searches favouring hiring a professional compared to just 30% for DIY. This preference is particularly pronounced in cities like Nottingham, Leicester, and Manchester, where residents are several times more likely to seek professional help than attempt tasks themselves. In contrast, places such as Bristol, Belfast, and Liverpool show a stronger DIY culture, though even here hiring still outweighs doing it yourself. The comparison highlights a consistent pattern nationwide: while many homeowners are comfortable taking on smaller, everyday maintenance jobs, they are far more likely to rely on professionals for more complex or urgent work.
For further information from Appliances Direct read our helpful buying guides, how to articles or check out our extensive heating range.
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Methodology:
This report analysed UK Google search data for a range of DIY and hire-related keywords. Collated during spring 2026. Search volumes for 140 keywords were categorised based on intent (DIY vs hire), then compared across major UK cities. Population-adjusted metrics were used to determine relative behaviour and proportional splits. A full list of keywords and data used in the study is available by request.
