Discover if you’re a fixer or procrastinator when it comes to household repairs

Are you the type to fix something at the first sign of trouble, or do you hope the issue will disappear? Find out how you handle everyday issues with this fun personality quiz.

A recent poll of 2,000 homeowners revealed the household headaches people are most likely to delay dealing with. They included overflowing gutters and dripping taps, as well as noisy washing machines and loose floorboards. On average, those with household issues have been left for 16 months before being dealt with. 

The top excuses for putting off jobs include not seeing the issue as urgent, not having the time and worrying about the cost of repairs. But, three in 10 admit this delay has ended up costing them more in the long run.

The study found on average, homeowners have had to fork out £305 after leaving a particular issue for too long. A third have even had to replace the appliance with a brand new one because it caused damage elsewhere.

This left 46% of people annoyed with themselves and 34% regretful for holding off in the first place.

The research was commissioned by the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances, AMDEA, which is urging people to register their appliances on their designated web portal as part of Register My Appliance Week – so consumers don’t miss out on vital safety information.

Stefan Hay, CEO of the organisation said: “We all put things off for one reason or another, it’s human nature. Acting early is the simplest way to avoid unnecessary expense and inconvenience later down the line.”

What’s more, over half of people admit they’ve put off fixing something around the house even when they knew it wouldn’t take long. Reasons for this include procrastination, prioritising other things and not having enough confidence in themselves to fix it.

The study also found that many households delay registering large appliances with the manufacturer. Those who skip this step say it’s because they thought their appliance was too old, didn’t see the point, or simply forgot.

This means many households wouldn’t be aware of a product recall on an appliance, as soon as it happens, causing potential problems down the line. 

Stefan Hay added: “We all lead busy lives, but ignoring small maintenance issues can lead to bigger repairs in the future, as they rarely stay small for long. Tackling them early saves time, money, and stress – plus it will keep your home running smoothly.

“With appliances especially, registering them with the manufacturer also means you can be contacted immediately if a free safety repair is needed on your particular model, before any real issue occurs.”

TOP 10 PROBLEMS HOMEOWNERS AVOID FIXING:

1.  
2. Dripping taps
3. Cracks in walls or ceilings
4. Slow-draining sinks or showers
5. Overflowing gutters
6. Warnings to update passwords to online accounts
7.  Radiators not heating evenly
8. Freezer constantly icing up
9.  Loose floorboards
10. Washing machine making excessive noise or vibrations
11. Iron or coffee machine or kettle crying out to be de-scaled