Survey: Most Czechs can handle minor home repairs, but rely on professionals for gas

Czechs are handy around the home – almost 80% can paint a flat or clear a blocked drain without any trouble. But most leave more complex jobs to professionals. Only one in two would tackle minor electrical or plumbing work at home, fewer than 9% of respondents would dare to connect a gas appliance, and just 6% of Czechs manage entirely without tradespeople. These are the findings of a survey conducted by Ipsos for GasNet, the largest gas distributor in the Czech Republic. The company stresses that, by law, work on gas equipment may be carried out only by qualified professionals. Unqualified work can be not only illegal but also dangerous.

An Ipsos survey shows that most Czechs can handle a range of basic DIY jobs at home. Four in five Czechs say they can carry out basic tasks on their own, without professional help: nearly 80% of respondents can assemble simple furniture and paint a room, 78% can clear a blocked drain and 74% would tackle drilling into a wall. This saves them time and money they would otherwise have to pay professionals.

Czechs are much less confident in their own abilities when it comes to more specialised tasks. Around half of respondents (54%) can connect a basic electrical fitting, such as a switch, light or socket. Some 65% would undertake minor furniture repairs. And 66% of Czechs can sew on a button, replace a zip or mend a hole in clothing.

Leave gas work to the professionals

When it comes to more complex or technically demanding repairs, most Czechs prefer to rely on professionals, according to the survey: 81% say they would rather pay an expert to carry out more difficult tasks, while only 6% of respondents said they could manage entirely without help from a tradesperson.

Only 19% of respondents would attempt more complex repairs to electrical appliances, while 15% would make their own furniture.

Fewer than 9% of respondents would dare to connect a gas appliance or gas boiler. However, doing so would be against the law:

„As a gas distributor, we strongly warn against unqualified work on gas equipment. For legal and safety reasons, gas work may be carried out only by professionals. Always leave all gas work to the experts,“ stresses Helena Steinerová, recruitment and employee development manager at the GasNet Group.

This reflects the fact that, under Act No. 250/2021 Coll., gas appliances and other parts of a gas installation at a customer’s premises may be repaired or commissioned only by a person authorised and professionally qualified to carry out such work.

„Gas fitting is one of the hardest trades to replace. That alone makes it an excellent choice for secondary vocational education,“ Steinerová adds.

Shortage of tradespeople affects households and businesses. Czechs see the trades as highly promising

According to the survey, 87% of respondents feel there is a shortage of tradespeople. This is reflected mainly in rising prices and longer waiting times. This is one reason Czechs see a career in the trades as highly promising.But the shortage of skilled tradespeople is not affecting households alone. Employers across industries, including the energy sector, are also having to deal with the shortfall:

„As gas plays an increasingly important role as a cleaner energy source replacing coal as it is phased out, demand for qualified gas fitters will continue to grow. The gas industry is also preparing for renewable gases such as biomethane and hydrogen. That is why we support training in gas-related fields and reach out to talented future gas fitters while they are still at school. We provide them with scholarships and paid work placements at GasNet so they can move seamlessly into looking after critical infrastructure after graduation,“ explains Helena Steinerová, describing how GasNet is trying to address the situation.

Her words are echoed by Martin Valenta, director of the Secondary Vocational School of Gas Engineering in Pardubice: „Huge demand from employers and higher pay make the trades much more attractive than they used to be. This is doubly true for our gas fitters, whom gas companies look after from the time they are still studying. Students who find meaning in their chosen field and enjoy the work are already halfway there. They can find a job almost immediately.”