New research has found that only one in four Gen Zers feel comfortable handling DIY tasks around the home, while many more are confident with technology.
A survey of 2,000 adults discovered that just 23% of 18- to 24-year-olds feel at ease with basic home maintenance tasks, such as unblocking a sink (62%), fitting shelves (63%), or changing a fuse (76%). More than a quarter (27%) say they were never taught practical DIY skills, and 30% avoid home repairs altogether for fear of doing a bad job and facing an expensive bill to put it right.
Tech skills thrive
By contrast, 41% of young adults feel confident setting up a home Wi-Fi network without assistance, 36% can build a website, and 35% are capable of troubleshooting internet connectivity issues.
In addition, 80% of 18- to 25-year-olds have used AI tools over the past year to create, write, or build projects, including websites and side hustles.
DIY is evolving, says founder
The research was commissioned by Tiiny Host, a drag-and-drop platform designed to launch and share static websites, PDFs and files online. Elston Baretto, founder of the platform, said: "DIY hasn't disappeared – it's evolving – and for previous generations, making something yourself might have meant picking up a drill or opening a toolbox."
"Today, that same instinct to create, learn and figure things out for yourself is increasingly happening online. What's exciting is that technology and AI are giving more people the confidence to turn an idea into something real - whether that's a website, a creative project, a side hustle or even the beginnings of a business."
AI more popular than shelves
The study showed that Gen Zers were more likely to have built something using AI in the past year than put up a shelf (34% vs. 26%). A quarter (25%) in this age group learned their tech skills directly from tools such as ChatGPT and Copilot.
It's not just younger generations leading the digital shift: 45% of all adults have used AI for a specific task within the same period. Additionally, nearly a quarter (23%) have monetized their digital skills, according to OnePoll.com data.
Overall, 72% of respondents feel confident in their tech capabilities, compared to 60% who feel confident in traditional home maintenance. Millennials are the generation most likely to prefer tech tasks over household DIY (41% vs. 18%).
Tiiny Host's Elston Baretto added: "This isn't about replacing traditional DIY or saying one set of skills matters more than another, it's about recognising that what it means to 'do it yourself' has expanded. A new generation is using a different toolbox - AI, digital platforms and technology - but the instinct behind it is exactly the same: I have an idea, I can learn how to do this, and I can make it happen myself."
