25% of do-it-yourselfers cause damage

LONDON, April 15 (UPI) -- In an effort to save money, some in Britain have embraced "do-it-yourself" projects, but an insurance company says bungled repairs cost about $7 billion.

Men and women both do home improvement, but when it comes to home repairs gone badly -- men cause about $50 more damage than women.

"Our research reveals that nearly a third of those surveyed have been doing more do-it-yourself during the past 12 months and 86 percent said they couldn't afford to pay professionals or were just trying to save money," Andy James of Allianz Your Cover Insurance said in a statement. "Unfortunately a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing so people should check they have adequate insurance to cover DIY damage so it doesn't cost more in the long run."

Britons top five home improvement disasters were:

-- 35 percent spilled paint or glue.

-- 29 percent damaged a wall.

-- 25 percent broke a window.

-- 23 percent broke furniture.

-- 22 percent damaged a ceiling.

Nonetheless, the research showed the the top five jobs people said they would employ a professional for were:

-- 82 percent said building an extension.

-- 80 percent said large-scale electrics.

-- 79 percent said large-scale plumbing.

-- 76 percent said plastering.

-- 75 percent said installing something like a shower or bathroom.

But, top five jobs Brits said would do themselves were:

-- 89 percent said small odd jobs.

-- 86 percent said painting a room.

-- 78 percent said putting up shelves.

-- 73 percent said wallpapering a room.

-- 61 percent said putting up a decorative feature.

The survey of 1,000 people was conducted in March by 72 Point. No margin of error was provided.