There seems to be no end to us Brits appetite for DIY, but are we any good at it

A.� Not particularly, according to a recent survey carried out by internet bank cahoot. It found that around half those who embark on major DIY projects failed to finish them.

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Tellingly, most of those surveyed said TV makeover programmes inspired them but once they got down to it found the job harder than they thought. Refitting kitchens was the job most often abandoned half way through followed by installing a power shower. The most frequent reason given for half finished DIY was lack of time, followed by a lack of money.

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However, it wouldn't be fair to tar all the nation's DIYers with the same brush. The survey revealed that those in Scotland and the North of England were most likely to see the job through while people in the South and North East gave up most frequently.

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A.� Quite right, in fact in some cases it can have quite serious consequences on the value. According to recent research carried out among estate agents half-finished, poorly executed or 'inappropriate' home improvements can wipe off anything between �2,000 and 10,000 what people are prepared to pay in a stroke.

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A.� Top of the list is a poorly planned extension, which can could wipe up to �10,000 off the price if it is so bad or inappropriate that it will need pulling down or rebuilding.

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Bodged DIY plumbing is another common problem, with bills likely to come in in the region of �2,000-�5,000 to get a professional in to sort out the mess, while even just having poorly finished off or bumpy plaster on the walls can knock the value back by a couple of thousand pounds. Another costly move could be partitioning off a big room in the house, be it a bedroom or reception room, which could devalue the house by up to �7,000.

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A.� One leading on-line estate agent, 08004homes.com, has produced a list of Dos and Don'ts, with the Dos including, installing cupboards, hanging curtains, knocking down a partition, sanding floors, painting, concreting drives, retiling small areas, fixing skirting boards and insulating the loft, providing they are all done to a high standard, of course.

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A.� Estate agents would always have you erring on the side of caution, the magnolia syndrome if you like, sometimes forgetting that you live in the house and should be able to reflect your own tastes in it. If it is just a case of paint and your choice of objets, then potential buyers should be able to see beyond that.

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