What DIY skills do you need when buying a house?

If the house you’re buying is a few years or even decades old, you’re likely to need more DIY expertise. Some jobs might need doing immediately, such as fixing doors or looking at issues in the kitchen or bathroom(s). You might also need to do bigger jobs like upgrading the kitchen or replastering walls. For these jobs, it helps to have good DIY knowledge or extra budget so that you can get professional help in.

You’re best looking online for professional help, whether that’s in local community groups on Facebook or on search engines. You could also ask for recommendations from friends, family or neighbours. Even if your older home is in relatively good condition, most people will want to dedicate a couple of weeks to redecorating. Although it’s a basic job, it can be very costly and time consuming, so make sure you’re prepared. Remember that it’ll take longer to ensure an older home suits your tastes compared to a new build property. Additionally, buying off-plan means you’ll have to do even less, as you can choose your preferred fixtures as the build takes place. With an older property, you’ll be moving into a home which has been designed with somebody else’s taste in mind. This means you’ll have to factor in time for decoration and DIY. You'll also need to consider the safety of children and pets as the work is taking place.