STRUGGLES GROWING DIY CULTURE
While slowly but surely on the rise, the DIY culture here still pales in comparison to that in countries like Australia, the United States or New Zealand.
Back in 2019, the lack of interest in DIY here was seen as contributing to the demise of household name Home-Fix, a hardware chain.
Retail experts told TODAY then that the consumer base in Singapore interested in DIY home improvement and repairs was too small.
Months prior to its closure, Home-Fix founder Low Cheong Kee told the Business Times that while older generations are “competent with tools and woodworking”, younger persons do not have these skills and would rather pay for a service.
After all, finding a handyman is a phone call or message away, DIY enthusiasts and hardware stores told TODAY.
Such convenience and the time saved from fiddling with a broken device or building a new one also deter many from trying to take on DIY work.
Hardware store owners and employees also told TODAY that they carry some household items, such as fans and brooms, because it can be cheaper for consumers to buy new ones than to repair their old items.
Even if one is keen to breathe new life into old appliances, there are several barriers to repairing them on one’s own, noted Mr Zames Chew, 25.
Beyond needing time to make repairs, finding the parts can be a hassle.
“For one, it’s quite hard to get parts. Sometimes people will go to a manufacturer to try and get their items repaired but get told it’s an outdated model and the part needed is no longer available,” said the founder of Repairs.sg.
Mr Chew started his company with his younger brother eight years ago. Having loved to tinker with items out of curiosity as a child, the satisfaction of repairing and building something on his own inspired him to become a handyman.
“Being on the job, you learn from other uncles (handymen) on where to find places that scrap electronics for working parts so you can repair your clients’ items,” said Mr Chew. “But most people don’t know or don’t go to these places because they are often in industrial complexes which are harder to get to.”
Mr Danny Lim, 55, one of three partners of DIY community space EDR2, added that the lack of space is another reason why many Singaporeans are not into DIY.
“We don’t have garage space to house equipment (for DIY work). Most people have a drill and that’s about it,” he said.
“But now there’s several makerspaces around and we’re (EDR2) building a community workspace so people can get the equipment and also learn how to DIY.”
The community workspace, located in Pasir Ris, will allow people to visit to build their own items they might have otherwise been unable to because they don’t have the right tools. This includes a 3D printer, among other things.
EDR2 also organises events and workshops to encourage people to DIY items, such as portable charges.