Gas Safety Week 2025 - Press Release

Below is a press release from the Gas Safe Register.

Overconfident DIY-ers are taking on difficult – and potentially dangerous - projects for social media clout, to woo a romantic interest, or to avoid forking out for professional help, according to new research by Gas Safe Register for Gas Safety Week (8th to 14th September 2025).

In a world where quick hacks promise to turn anyone into an instant expert, it’s no surprise many of us are tempted to take on more than we should. A little confidence can be handy for everyday tasks, but new research shows many are pushing it too far.

The staggering overconfidence of the nation was revealed in a study of 2,000 adults, which reveals one in 20 (5%) adults think they could successfully install a gas boiler – a task that should only be taken on by a qualified professional. And it doesn’t stop there: a similar number think they could build a house using only online tutorials as reference.

This Gas Safety Week, DIY expert Nick Knowles is warning households of the dangers of over-confidence in tackling potentially dangerous DIY and sharing his top tips to avoid the pitfalls of being a little too self-assured when it comes to taking on tasks in the home.

Nick comments: “Having confidence is great, but in the right circumstance. Through my time presenting, I’ve seen many instances where that “do it yourself” mentality has worked. But being overconfident with certain elements of home improvement – particularly when it comes to things like gas or electrical appliances – can be deadly, probably illegal, and should only be done by professionals.”

Nearly a quarter (24%) of UK adults have been called out for making an overconfident statement, while others confessed to bold claims including being able to solve a crime like a detective, win a pub quiz solo, or navigate without a map. The study also found that 10% think they’d make it as a successful influencer if they felt like it, and nearly one in 10 (7%) said they could write a best-selling novel.

When it comes to DIY, almost a third (32%) reckon they could change a car battery without professional help, yet 38% of adults say they’ve regretted trying to tackle a task themselves they weren’t qualified to take on.

Rob Denman, Director of Gas Services for Gas Safe Register, added:

“We can all have a bit of over-confidence when it comes to DIY, and may let a ‘give it a go’ mentality take over. That’s fine if it’s putting up some shelves or giving the walls a fresh lick of paint. But when it comes to working with gas – from installing a new gas cooker or attempting to fix a temperamental boiler – the consequences can be dangerous. “The number one rule is simple – leave it to the experts. There are over 130,000 Gas Safe registered engineers all over the UK, who are legally qualified, knowledgeable and equipped to handle gas issues in your home. Using these experts to complete any gas related jobs, including an annual safety check, will help look after your home, friends and family.”

Of those who do overestimate their abilities, two in five (40 per cent) say it’s to specifically woo a romantic interest. Almost three in 10 (28 per cent) tackle even potentially the trickiest of tasks for social media bravado, while over a quarter (26 per cent) doing so to avoid paying a professional to save money.

Men are generally more confident than women, with twice as many believing they could smash a stand-up comedy routine using their own material. More than a quarter (27%) of men are confident they could navigate somewhere without a map or GPS, compared to just 12% of women. Almost half (48%) believe men are the most confident in everyday life, compared to just 8% who believe the same of women.

Nick has teamed up with Gas Safe Register to draw on his years of expertise to share his top tips for smarter, safer DIY at home:

Respect the craft
Firstly, don’t underestimate the skill required for many jobs: I’ve seen so many instances where people think they can give plastering a go because people who do it day in, day out make it look so easy. But trust me, you’ll end up with more on the floor than on the walls.

DIY confidence can be dangerous
People are generally quite confident about their DIY abilities, but that doesn’t come without its risks. According to recent research from Gas Safe Register, 58% of us admit to being overconfident when tackling practical jobs at home. No matter the project you’re taking on (or how easy you think it is), always wear protective clothing - you won’t believe how many people end up in A&E on bank holiday weekends because of DIY.

Invest your time – and budget - wisely
Focus on the bits you’re going to touch every day – a tap or cupboard handle will show the signs of heavy use very quickly if they’re cheap, so if you can, try and invest here.

Wallpaper traps
Try not to use intricate patterned wallpapers if you are doing it yourself - it makes lining up the pattern difficult and you’ll waste lots of what might be expensive wallpaper. Equally, when choosing your papers, look at stronger options that won’t rip when you are putting them on the wall.

Be click smart
The internet is your friend. Before getting started, look up how to do whatever it is you want to try - there are loads of tips that you’ll learn from, and if it’s a job that should be left to the experts, you’ll no doubt soon find that out on YouTube. Take care with the guidance you’re getting (try to take advice from reputable channels like a well-known DIY store) and the tasks you’re tackling, though. Being overconfident with certain elements of home improvement – particularly when it comes to things like gas or electrical appliances – can be deadly, probably illegal, and should only be done by professionals.

Know your (DIY) limits!
Finally, don’t take on more than you can achieve and be realistic about what you can do yourself – and within the timeframe you’re working to. For example, it’s usually pretty easy to take a kitchen out – but very difficult to put one in, so there are some jobs that should definitely be left to the professionals.

ENDS

For more information, commentary or images, please contact the PR team on GasSafetyWeek@tmwunlimited.com

A nationally representative survey of 2,000 UK adults was commissioned by Gas Safe Register and carried out by 72Point in August 2025.   

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