Britain’s DIY bravado has reached new heights, with one in 20 adults believing they could build a house from scratch using nothing but online tutorials, a new poll reveals. The survey of 2,000 adults uncovered a staggering level of overconfidence across the nation. Many Brits believe they could solve a crime like a detective, win a pub quiz single-handedly, or navigate to a new destination without a map.
Nearly a quarter (24 per cent) admit they have been called out in the past for making such bold claims, while five per cent even think they could successfully install a gas boiler—a task that should only ever be handled by a qualified professional. The research, commissioned by Gas Safe Register, comes as the organisation teams up with TV host and DIY expert Nick Knowles ahead of Gas Safety Week 2025 to warn the public about the dangers of overconfidence when it comes to gas appliances.
TV host and DIY expert Nick said: “Having confidence is great, but in the right circumstances. 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.”
The study also found that 10 per cent of adults think they could become a successful online influencer if they put their mind to it, and seven per cent are convinced they could write a best-selling novel.
Men, it seems, are particularly prone to overconfidence. Twice as many men as women believe they are funny enough to smash a stand-up comedy routine with their own material. Meanwhile, 27 per cent of men are confident they could find their way without a map or GPS, compared to just 12 per cent of women.
Most respondents agreed that men are generally more confident in everyday life. Of those who admit to overestimating their abilities, two in five say it’s to impress a romantic interest, while nearly three in ten take on tricky tasks for social media bragging rights. A quarter admit they do it simply to save money by avoiding professional fees.
However, the bravado often backfires. Four in ten say they have regretted tackling a task they were not qualified for, and 51 per cent agree that “confidence without knowledge is risky”, according to the OnePoll.com findings.
Rob Denmann 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.”