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Chadwicks launches DIY ‘Chadvent’ calendar to celebrate the nation’s love of home improvement

Nov 18, 2020 | Press Releases

Lockdown drives love for DIY

Key findings

  • 74% have become interested in DIY since lockdown
  • 97% have completed DIY tasks around the house during lockdown
  • 23% spend more than 12 hours a month on DIY projects
  • 91% say they have found a hobby for life
  • Painting and assembling flat-pack furniture are our least favourite tasks
  • 36% admit to experiencing a DIY disaster
  • Chadwicks launches DIY themed ‘Chadvent’ calendar

While 2020 has taken many things from us, what it has given us it seems, is a new love for DIY. That’s according to new research by Chadwicks, Ireland’s leading builders’ merchants. The survey of 1,044 people nationwide reveals that three-quarters of people have become interested in DIY since the first lockdown and 97% have completed a DIY task in their home this year.

Given that we are spending so much time at home, it’s perhaps no surprise that half (51%) say their newfound love for home improvement was driven by noticing all the odd jobs that needed to be done during lockdown. While 46% of all respondents say that 2020 has finally given them the time to tackle their DIY to-do list.

According to the Chadwicks survey, almost a quarter (23%) are spending more than 12 hours a month on DIY at home and 91% believe they have found a hobby for life.

The Chadvent calendar – the ideal gift for DIY Lovers

To celebrate the nation’s love for DIY, Chadwicks has launched the ‘Chadvent’ calendar. The ideal gift for the DIY lover in your life, the Chadvent calendar is available in Chadwicks branches nationwide and features everything you need to create a handy home toolkit.

Illustrated by acclaimed Irish illustrator Chris Judge, an item from the 24-piece toolkit is revealed each day and is sure to come in useful if Santa needs some help assembling those tricky Christmas gifts on Christmas Eve. It also comes with a handy tool roll bag to keep all your tools in one place. The calendar is available in branches nationwide while stocks last and is priced at just €10.

The DIY naughty and nice list

When it comes to the DIY to-do list, painting has been the most popular lockdown pastime with 84% painting either the interior or exterior of them home this year. Other popular tasks include:

  • Hanging picture frames (47%)
  • Putting up shelves (36%)
  • Assembling flat pack furniture (35%)
  • Fixing a broken lock or hinge (24%)

However, while painting is our number one job, it’s also the one we dislike the most (34%), while 1 in 5 (19%) say assembling flat pack furniture is the job they dread. 18% say fixing a leaky tap is their idea of a DIY nightmare.

DIY disasters

The Chadwicks survey finds that 36% admit to having a DIY disaster. Some of the biggest failures include accidentally drilling through a water pipe, putting up shelves that collapsed, and spilling paint in which a pet ended up stepping in and dragging through the house!

Commenting on the survey Pat Moore, Category Director in Chadwicks said: “It’s clear from our research that DIY has become one of our favourite hobbies this year. With December just around the corner, our Chadwicks Chadvent calendar is the ideal gift for the DIY lover in your life. The calendars are available in our branches nationwide now and are priced at €10.”

SpeakUp is our reporting service for colleagues and anyone (e.g. customers or suppliers) connected to Chadwicks Group (part of Grafton Group) to report concerns. This action, is also commonly known as 'whistleblowing'. If you ever see something in your interaction with Chadwicks Group that could be deemed unsafe, unethical or unscrupulous, please SpeakUp! We take concerns given in good faith very seriously and will not tolerate retaliation of any kind to anyone who reports such instances.

You can raise your concerns through the dedicated SpeakUp website here.

Please note that this service is not to be used for customer service enquiries or issues. Please contact your local Chadwicks Group branch for such enquiries.

 

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