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The UK Regions Most Obsessed With DIY
From leaky taps to full-blown makeovers, Brits are grabbing their toolkits like never before. With the cost of living hitting hard, more people are ditching the pros and saying, “I’ll do it myself!”
But where in the UK are people most hands-on? Who’s most likely to be drilling, painting, or hammering their way through the weekend? And which parts of the country are giving DIY a hard pass?
We surveyed people across the UK to find out—and the results might surprise you.
Why the DIY boom?
It’s no surprise—getting a professional can cost a small fortune these days. And with the UK still in the grip of a cost-of-living crisis, thousands are picking up the paintbrush to save serious cash.
This financial squeeze, which began in 2021, has been driven by a perfect storm: the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, the ongoing war in Ukraine, and Brexit-related trade impacts. These global and domestic factors have pushed up the price of essentials like food and energy, while wages have struggled to keep pace—leaving households with less money to spare.
DIY has become the go-to solution. Whether it’s painting a room, fixing a leaky tap or building a bookcase, people are taking matters into their own hands—literally.
But it’s not just about the money. There’s a deeper sense of pride, creativity and resilience involved. For many, DIY offers a way to feel in control, to make a home feel more personal, and to embrace that classic British “can-do” attitude. As the economic pressure continues, so too does the popularity of doing it yourself.
Where in the UK is DIY most popular?
When it comes to getting stuck into home improvement projects, the North West is leading the way. From the lively streets of Liverpool to the suburbs of Greater Manchester and the surrounding areas of Lancashire and Cheshire, this region is clearly home to some of the UK’s most enthusiastic DIYers.
In fact, 27% of all regular DIY activity (defined as weekly or monthly projects) comes from the North West alone— making it the most hands-on region in the country. This isn’t a surprise for anyone familiar with the North West’s strong culture of home ownership and community pride. With many properties in the region being older terraces or family-owned homes, there’s often a need for ongoing maintenance and upgrades.
But it’s not just about necessity—there’s also a real culture of independence here. Whether it's updating a bathroom, repainting the hallway or laying new flooring, residents in the North West seem more than happy to do it themselves instead of calling in the pros.
Interestingly, this hands-on attitude is mirrored across the broader northern region. When grouped together, the North West, North East, and Yorkshire represent the highest combined interest in planned DIY over the coming three months, suggesting that the North as a whole has a firm grip on its toolbox.
Why might this be?
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Property affordability allows more homeowners to invest in their homes over time.
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DIY is often passed down through generations in close-knit communities.
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The economic advantage of doing it yourself remains a major draw during cost-of-living pressures.
Where DIY gets done the least
At the other end of the spectrum, the South West is the most likely region to skip the sanding and simply hire someone else—or not bother at all. Based on our survey data, 27% of those who said they ‘rarely’ or ‘never’ do DIY came from this region.
The South West includes many retirement hotspots and picturesque towns where older populations or second-home owners may prefer to outsource work or lack the capacity (or need) to carry out DIY themselves.
Hot on its heels is the South East and the Midlands, each making up 18% of the UK's "DIY dropout" responses. These regions are home to many renters, city commuters, and people with less time or freedom to make major home improvements.
What’s behind the trend?
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Higher homeownership doesn’t always equal DIY enthusiasm—especially in regions with an older demographic.
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The South East has high numbers of commuters and renters, who may lack the time, interest or permission to make changes.
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In the Midlands, a mix of busy lifestyles and varying home types could be contributing to lower DIY rates.
What kind of DIY projects are Brits tackling?
From quick cosmetic fixes to more ambitious makeovers, UK homeowners are keeping busy with a wide variety of DIY jobs. According to research from the British Home Enhancement Trade Association (BHETA), the most common tasks include painting walls, putting up shelves, assembling furniture, and even basic plumbing. Decorative improvements are also popular—many are updating tired interiors with fresh coats of paint, replacing door handles, or fitting new light fixtures.
There’s also been a quiet rise in slightly more involved carpentry tasks, such as installing skirting boards or fitting architraves. These finishing touches can dramatically improve the look of a room, and with accessible how-to guides online and the growing availability of ready-to-fit mouldings from UK suppliers like MR Mouldings, more homeowners are giving it a go themselves.
Who's planning the most DIY in the next 3 months?
Once again, the North West leads the way in planned DIY activity. From Lancashire to Merseyside, the region shows no signs of slowing down.
Across the board, the North (including the North East and North West) shows the strongest intent to tackle projects soon—whether for cost-saving, pride in ownership or just keeping busy.
Who's actually doing the DIY?
While men are more likely to do DIY occasionally, it’s women who are showing more consistent effort.
The pattern? Men tend to dip in and out, while women are more habitual and consistent in their approach.
The Takeaway
Britain is fast becoming a nation of weekend warriors. With budgets tight and self-sufficiency on the rise, more of us are reaching for the toolbox instead of the phonebook.
From Manchester to Morley, Swansea to Southend, the message is clear—DIY is booming, and it’s here to stay.