How to explain the growing enthusiasm of the French for DIY?

From small repairs to major work, DIY is a popular hobby that allows novices and more experienced alike to build, renovate or decorate their homes to optimize their comfort and shape their environment in their image.

Beyond the pleasure of carrying out one's own work, the growing enthusiasm for this activity is also explained by economic motivations, a fortiori in these times of crisis, but also by the difficulty of finding artisans available in many regions that resemble artisanal deserts. However, beyond small jobs, craftsmen remain essential interlocutors for major projects, as evidenced by the study carried out by OpinionWay for BigMat, a major player in housing.

Tinkering: everyone's business!

4 out of 10 French people say they are passionate about DIY (44%). And contrary to certain preconceived ideas, handling the hammer and the drill is no longer a matter for men! The irresistible satisfaction of saying "I did it!" is thus shared by 49% of men and 39% of women. However, 68% of men note that it is above all a role that falls to them on a daily basis, compared to 38% of women.

And the sector has a bright future ahead of it. Indeed, young people tinker more than the general population: 55% of 25-34 year olds and 53% of 18-24 year olds.

Saving money: 1st motivation

While 56% of French people carry out their work themselves out of a taste for manual activities, it is the concern for savings that is the primary motivation for more than 7 out of 10 French people (71%). Moreover, the difficulty of controlling the costs of work in times of inflation and shortage of materials is their greatest source of concern (75%).

And while the Internet has favored an unprecedented democratization of the "do it yourself" trend, thanks to photo or video tutorials, 2 out of 3 French people feel independent for most small daily tasks (66%), including 69% of men and 62% of women.

The French like to tinker, but the majority prefer to entrust their heavy work to professionals

The appetite of the French for the Do it yourself does not supplant the use of professionals: 1 person questioned out of 2 prefers to call on specialists, and this regardless of the nature of the work to be undertaken (52%).

When we look more closely, painting is the only work that a large majority of French people feel able to do themselves or with the help of a loved one (74%). For all the others, the "do-it-yourselfers" do not take unnecessary risks and favor the intervention of professionals. This is all the more true for structural work: at least three-quarters of French people favor the use of a craftsman for carpentry work (90%), roofing (88%), heating (83%), carpentry (76%) or masonry (74%).

Concerning the finishing work, if a third of French people feel competent to take care of it themselves, recourse to professionals remains the alternative chosen by most: plastering-partitions (68%), electricity (68%), tiling (58%).

Even if their lack of availability is the third difficulty mentioned in carrying out work (40%), after quotes that are too high (52%) and the soaring cost of materials (42%), craftsmen remain essential for many French: only 4% say they are ready to do everything alone.

Thus, like the family doctors who follow us over the long term, when we find a good craftsman, we keep it for 89% of French people and we do not hesitate to share their happy discovery: the recommendation of a close is the first criterion in choosing a professional (53%).