When YouTube Isn’t Enough
YouTube tutorials have become a go-to for just about everything - from cooking to coding, and of course, DIY. And they can be brilliant. Quick, visual, and available 24/7. But when it comes to home repairs or hands-on learning, they often fall short.
Why? Because your home isn’t a studio set. Your tools aren’t the same. And the moment something doesn’t quite go to plan, you can’t edit it out and the video can’t help you troubleshoot the problem.
According to a 2023 Which? survey, over 57% of UK homeowners admitted they'd tried and failed to follow an online tutorial for a home maintenance task. The common culprits? Confusion over tools, a frustrating lack of clear steps, and unexpected complications that videos simply don't show. As Max, our co-founder, recently explained to a trial client: even seasoned DIYers might watch five or six videos on a new skill before daring to try it. For beginners, hours of daunting, unproductive screen time is simply not the way to learn.
This is where HandiMentor steps in. We offer in-person one-to-one support with a friendly, vetted mentor who shows you how to do things in your own space. Whether it’s putting up shelves, fixing a leak, or learning to use a power drill safely, your mentor walks you through it in real time, adapting to your pace, questions, and home setup.
Unlike YouTube, we offer:
Tailored guidance, based on your task and environment
Immediate troubleshooting if things go wrong
A confidence boost from real-time feedback and encouragement
It’s also about building skills for the long term. Once you’ve learned with someone at your side, you're much more likely to repeat the task successfully. No more pausing, rewinding, and guessing.
The power of experiential learning is undeniable: a study published in the Journal of Experiential Education highlighted that students who engage in hands-on activities can demonstrate a 70% increase in knowledge retention compared to traditional methods. This direct feedback and immediate application of DIY skills in a real-world context means your learning truly sticks, empowering you to tackle future projects with confidence.
And while hiring someone might fix the issue short-term, learning how to do it yourself is a longer-term win. You save money, build confidence, and contribute to a more sustainable home by repairing before replacing.
So yes, we love a good YouTube tutorial. But when it comes to practical DIY, nothing beats having someone right there with you. Especially someone who’s kind, patient, and wants you to succeed.
