More than half of home movers try D.AI.Y
but 38% say it gave them bad advice
The latest research from Yopa has found that 57% of home movers have engaged in D.AI.Y, to help maintain, repair and improve their homes, although more than a third have been given advice that later turned out to be incorrect.
Yopa surveyed recent homebuyers to understand how they are using AI when settling into a new property, from understanding how key systems work through to carrying out repairs, maintenance and home improvements.
The research found that 57% utilised AI platforms such as ChatGPT to help them in their new home.
Diagnosing faults and issues is the most common reason for using AI to better understand a home, along with understanding how a boiler works, locating the gas shut-off valves and water stopcocks, and identifying electrical systems and consumer units within the home.
When it comes to carrying out actual repairs and maintenance, AI is most commonly being used to assist with general household maintenance tasks. Garden repairs, toilet repairs, door repairs, and boiler and heating issues ranked amongst the most common jobs undertaken with the help of AI guidance.
AI is also proving increasingly popular when it comes to home improvements and decorating projects. The most common use is generating visual representations of how a room might look once improvements have been completed. Many home movers are also using AI to help choose paint colours, plan furniture layouts and explore different design options before committing to a project.
More than half of those who utilised AI (55%) said that it made them feel more confident and capable when tackling jobs around the home, with 34% stating that they had undertaken tasks they would normally have paid a professional to complete.
However, the findings also highlight the risks of D.AI.Y and relying too heavily on AI-generated advice.
Some 38% of those using AI said they had been provided with information that later proved to be incorrect.
When asked about the consequences, the most common outcome was having to hire a professional to rectify the issue. Wasting time or damaging part of the property ranked second, whilst making the original problem worse was the third most common consequence of following incorrect AI-generated advice.
Perhaps most notably, 67% of those who received incorrect information said it ended up costing them money.
Verona Frankish, CEO of Yopa, commented:
“AI can be an incredibly useful tool, particularly when it comes to generating visuals, exploring home design trends and helping homeowners better understand how an improvement project might look once completed.
However, it’s important to remember that AI isn’t always right and, in some cases, it can provide inaccurate information whilst presenting it with a great deal of confidence. For example, it may provide guidance based on the most common layout or configuration of a boiler, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the advice applies to the specific appliance sitting in your home.
The best approach is to provide AI with as much relevant information as possible. Uploading manuals, instruction booklets or manufacturer guidance can help ensure that any answers are based on the product you’re actually working with, rather than a general assumption.
Used correctly, AI can be a brilliant tool that helps homeowners feel more confident and capable. But it’s important not to become overly reliant on it. If you’re ever unsure, it’s always worth consulting a professional, particularly when dealing with gas or electrical systems where incorrect advice can be extremely dangerous and, in some cases, fatal.”
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