Australians are turning to DIY home repairs in droves to save money, with new Compare the Market research revealing many are ditching tradies and instead picking up the tools themselves for household maintenance, plumbing issues and even electrical faults.
However, the Compare the Market is warning that some repairs could create complications if homeowners later need to make an insurance claim.
With spring cleaning and home improvement season underway, painting, patching and general maintenance top the list of DIY jobs Australians are taking on to save money, with 26.03% of respondents saying they’ve attempted these kinds of repairs themselves.
The research also found many homeowners are taking on more complex jobs around the house, with:
- one in five Australians (20.14%) saying they’d fixed plumbing issues themselves
- 68% attempting repairs to walls, floors, doors and windows
- 64% carrying out repairs to roofing, gutters or outdoor areas
- one in eight Australians (12.48%) admitting to fixing electrical or appliance issues themselves.
Cost pressures may also be causing some Australians to put household maintenance on hold, with around one in 10 (10.90%) delaying repairs because of the cost. Meanwhile, 4.81% said a DIY repair ended up costing them more in the long run. One in four Aussies surveyed (24.26%) said they would rather pay a professional for home repairs.
Compare the Market’s Chris Ford said it’s no surprise that so many Australians are rolling up their sleeves to try and save money.
“Spring has a funny way of making every unfinished job around the house impossible to ignore. Suddenly the leaky tap, loose fence panel and overflowing gutter that’s been on the to-do list for months is demanding attention all at once,” Mr Ford said.
“With household budgets still under pressure from higher interest rates and increased costs across the board, it’s understandable that many Australians are looking to save money by doing the work themselves. Painting a wall is one thing, but jobs involving plumbing, electrical work or structural repairs can come with much bigger risks if something goes wrong.”
Mr Ford said homeowners should also understand the potential insurance implications before taking on larger repair jobs.
“Every insurer and policy is different, but if faulty workmanship contributes to damage later on, it could complicate an insurance claim,” Mr Ford said. “Insurers will typically investigate the cause of any damage and whether repairs were carried out appropriately. If in doubt, contact your insurer ahead of time to confirm whether your renovations or repairs would be covered.
“We’ve all been tempted to watch a few online tutorials and give it a crack, but some jobs can end up costing far more if they don’t go to plan. What looks like a money-saving exercise today could become a very expensive repair job tomorrow.”
With a season of unpredictable weather on the horizon, Mr Ford said now’s the time for homeowners to ensure maintenance issues don’t turn into bigger problems.
“A blocked gutter, loose roof tile or damaged fence may not seem like a major issue now, but they can quickly become one if severe weather hits,” Mr Ford said.
“Whether you tackle a repair yourself or call in a professional, it’s worth making sure the job is done properly and safely before storm season arrives.
“Spring is also a good opportunity to review your home and contents insurance policy. Understanding your cover before a disaster hits can aleviate stress if you need to make a claim. Insurers can also place restrictions or embargoes on new policies and policy changes when a major weather event is forecast, so check your cover when the sun is shining, not when a storm is on the radar.”
*Compare the Market commissioned PureProfile to survey 1,018 18+ aged Australian adults, conducted July 2026.
