Botched jobs 'pose risk to homes'

Qualified tradespeople can help prevent DIY disaster

Homeowners risk injury, heartache and DIY disaster by calling in friends and family to carry out home improvements, a government-backed body has said.

TrustMark, which warns about rogue traders, said 58% of homeowners asked non-professionals to do work such as electrical, roofing or plumbing jobs.

First-time buyers were most likely to use friends and family, it said.

Using friends and family might feel like good value for money, but in the long run it might not be, it warned.

"It is all very well asking family members to help out with home improvements... but it is worth bearing in mind that you are unlikely to have a father who is a qualified electrician," Ian Livsey, TrustMark chairman, said.

"Homeowners need to remember that selecting a reputable tradesperson is the best way to get a quality job at a fair price."

David Pope, of Electrix UK, a TrustMark member, added: "Homeowners may feel that by asking friends or family to work on their home they are getting good value for money.

"In the long run, they need to understand that by not using a qualified and accredited tradesperson, they could be risking the quality of work and even the safety of their homes."

TrustMark is supported by the government, consumer groups and the building trade.