'Oh to be really handy'.

ANDREW Gabbitass was both amused and annoyed by my kitchen floor.

I wrote about its state last week after my wife Maria had spent days getting up vinyl tiles. By heck, but don't they stick? She used a hairdryer to melt the glue and a chisel to prise them away from the floor boards. And when she had finished, we had to have the boards repaired in preparation for a new floor because of the previous work of a handyman who had rather more enthusiasm than skill.

Andrew, of Gabbitass Joinery and Property Services, Holmfirth, says this is often the result when people attempt DIY or employ a handyman.

He said: "In most instances, doing-ityourself or employing a handy man, often results in the kind of problems which you are now experiencing. It also ends up costing more in the long run." There are thousands of brilliant tradesmen available to do the work, he says, so if you want the best for your home give them a call. Which is what I now have done.

And in future, I shall keep in mind the old joke about the chap who applied for the job as a handyman at the big house in the village.

"Can you do painting and decorating?" "No." "Can you build a wall?" "No." "Can you do gardening?" "No." "Then what makes you think you think you'll be handy?" "Well, I only live next door."