Where would man – and woman – be without tools and a spot of DIY? The short answer is nowhere. A better answer would be that we’d probably still be living in caves, feeding off scraps of animal carcasses and generally acting like the primitive species we once were. Ok, maybe we exaggerate a touch…

Leading high street retailer Robert Dyas also believes that DIY has been fundamental to human development. And this is doubly important in these cost-conscious times. Even the most basic bit of DIY can add value to your home and with budget-savvy UK enthusiasts planning on spending 20-30 per cent less on home improvements this year, this is the perfect time to brush up on those DIY skills. Even if you’re somebody that tends to not get their own hands dirty too much, with things like oscillating multi tools anything is possible and you can make your home look amazing without paying over the odds. However if you’re thinking the project you want to undertake may be too big for your experience it’s always better to hire a professional, especially when it comes to window installation for example installing a double hung window will most definitely be too advanced for a beginner so look around for the right window installation company for you.

Of course, for the novice embarking on a DIY project for the first time it might seem daunting. However, its Robert Dyas’s Buying Manager and DIY champion Andrew Georgiou’s belief that with the right advice and armed with some handy tips anyone can do it. Moreover, it’s never too late to learn.

He says, “DIY is really about the basics. Get these essentials right and you’ll be hanging pictures, putting up shelves and fixing cracked tiles in no time.”

To that end, Andrew Georgiou and his team have compiled a list of DIY essentials – from some failsafe basics and top DIY hacks to indispensable tools and professional advice – to suit all budgets.

1. Plan. Plan. And then plan some more. Fail to prepare, prepare to fail. Think the job through. Ensure you have all the right tools to complete the task before you start any project. A lack of prior preparation is probably accountable for most DIY disasters. A whopping 48% of the 18-34 age group admit to making DIY mistakes in the past. Was a lack of planning the main cause?

2. Safety comes first. The Eyecare Trust has estimated that 30,000 eye injuries every year are a result of DIY. These can be avoided. Always ensure you wear adequate protection for your eyes and hands before taking on any DIY project. Always use the right tools for the job, and read reviews like those at https://toolhelpful.com/best-impact-wrench-reviews/ before buying them.

3. When using a drill, always ensure you use the correct drill bit. The charity Electrical Safety First urges those drilling to begin by applying light, steady pressure to push the bit into the material. If you have to press hard, you’re probably using the wrong bit. If drilling into a wall always check for any pipes or wires first. If you’re wanting to save yourself time and effort for the future, as well as decrease the chances of any mistakes with the pipes or wiring, you may want to look into using hollow wall anchors or the likes so you’re able to keep an element in the wall for future screws and fixtures.

4. Between coats don’t wash the brushes and rollers just wrap them tightly in clingfilm and they will stay moist and ready for the next coat.

5. Don’t replace old radiators, freshen them up at a fraction of the cost of buying a new one with a coat of heatproof paint/radiator paint. Ensure the radiator is completely cold before starting and clean it thoroughly, removing all dust and grease. And don’t forget the dust sheets!

6. To get a straight line always use a spirit level or digital laser level. After all, no one wants that priceless wedding photo/graduation certificate/antique vase sliding off a wonky shelf.

7. If in doubt always seek help from a qualified professional. It’s estimated that professionals put right £3.3m-worth of botched DIY jobs every year.

8. Psychologists stress the pleasure and satisfaction from the results of DIY. If you want to show your partner you care for them, why not offer to improve their home…and watch the relationship blossom?