Homeowners Delay Repairs for 16 Months, Costing £305 on Average

Are you a proactive problem-solver who tackles a dripping tap immediately, or a hopeful procrastinator who prays it will miraculously stop? A revealing new survey has quantified the nation's tendency to put off domestic chores, finding that the average homeowner delays essential repairs for a staggering 16 months.

The Cost of Procrastination

Commissioned by the Association of Manufacturers of Domestic Appliances (AMDEA), the research polled 2,000 homeowners. It found that common issues like overflowing gutters, leaky taps, noisy washing machines, and wobbly floorboards are frequently ignored. The top excuses for inaction include not seeing the problem as urgent, a perceived lack of time, and anxiety over potential repair costs.

This delay comes with a significant financial penalty. On average, neglecting an issue ultimately costs homeowners £305. For a third of respondents, the damage became so severe they had to replace the faulty appliance entirely. Consequently, 46% were left feeling frustrated with themselves, and 34% regretted not acting sooner.

Beyond Repairs: The Registration Gap

The study, released to coincide with Register My Appliance Week, also uncovered a critical safety gap. Many households postpone registering large appliances with the manufacturer. Common reasons are believing the appliance is too old, not seeing the benefit, or simply forgetting.

This means countless homes may miss vital safety alerts. Stefan Hay, CEO of AMDEA, warned: "We all lead busy lives, but ignoring small maintenance issues can lead to bigger repairs in the future, as they rarely stay small for long. Tackling them early saves time, money, and stress."

He added, "With appliances especially, registering them with the manufacturer also means you can be contacted immediately if a free safety repair is needed on your particular model, before any real issue occurs."

Why We Put Things Off

The research delved into the psychology behind the delay. Over half of those surveyed admitted to putting off a quick fix, despite knowing it wouldn't take long. The driving factors were pure procrastination, prioritising other tasks, and a lack of confidence in their own DIY skills.

Stefan Hay summarised the human element: "We all put things off for one reason or another, it's human nature. Acting early is the simplest way to avoid unnecessary expense and inconvenience later down the line."

The Top 10 Problems Homeowners Avoid Fixing: