A home insurance firm has urged customers to put down their hammer and D.I.Y tools and think twice before picking up the drill.

The company has urged property owners to make sure their house is properly insured for any disasters that may occur whilst fixing up the home.

According to a survey conducted by the organisation, 21% of those aged under 50 have had to call in a professional to fix a botched DIY jobs.

Among those aged 50 and over, 31% claimed to have injured themselves while performing jobs around the home. Out of these, 3% needed hospital aid. It is thought that home DIY has increased since the recession began.

“Homeowners should check they have accidental damage cover as part of their home insurance, just in case their DIY dreams turn in to DIY disasters,” advised the company’s executive chairman Andrew Goodsell.