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TechGuys poll shows that "digital plumbing" is a more common household chore for dads than DIY and mowing the lawn

“DIGITAL PLUMBING” IS NOW A TOP TEN WEEKLY HOUSEHOLD CHORE FOR DADS

— PC repairs and general IT maintenance are in the top ten weekly domestic duties for dads for the first time
— Tech tasks are now twice as common as mowing the lawn for most dads
— “TIY” (Tech It Yourself) is also more common than DIY
— Dedicated TechGuys helpline, 08456 024 024, is launched to deliver expert under-the-bonnet advice

The 20th century stereotype of dads as lawn mowing, DIY enthusiasts is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. For the first time ever, “fixing” the home PC and attempting to remove viruses are now more common for dads than traditional requests to put up shelves or mow the lawn, according to research carried out for the TechGuys, the UK’s national digital support service for UK homes. The frequent domestic query — “have you mowed the lawn yet?” — has been replaced with “have you managed to configure the router to enable my laptop to print via the home network?” The TechGuys’ research findings suggest that the traditional uncomplicated pipe, slippers and lawnmower lifestyle is now a distant dream.

YouGov research (sample size: 2,021 adults) for the TechGuys reveals that PC repairs and general IT maintenance now rank seventh and tenth on the weekly chores list with two in five dads (38%) identifying PC repairs and one in five (19%) IT maintenance as weekly tasks. Top of the list was washing up (79%), with mowing the lawn rating a lowly 9th (29%). Stereotypical male tasks including decorating, washing the car and putting up shelves also ranked below computing on the weekly chore list, reflecting the changing face of the 21st century home.

Tim Fairs, head of marketing at The TechGuys, said: “The prominence of IT tasks on the list is amazing. A domestic toolbox is as likely to contain a couple of spare USB cables as a hammer and nails these days.”

He added: “Dads swap being glued to their desk all week for being wired to the household PC on the weekend. It really shouldn’t be that way. Dads are getting themselves into a digital tangle and spending more time than they should on remedial work.”

In parallel, the TechGuys, which operates the UK’s biggest and most advanced technical support call centre, has anecdotally recorded a rise in furtive, whispered calls to their national helpline as dads find themselves out of their depth in digital deep water. Dads anxious to put right their digital plumbing can give the TechGuys a call and get telephone-based step-by-step guidance through the complexities of today’s digital home.

Tim Fairs explains, “We found that dads, as matter of pride, will want to have a go, but with the best will in the world, often find themselves out of their depth, sometimes even compounding the problem. It’s a case of more thwarted than sorted. Dads can call us year round, as can anyone, and we will be pleased to help you. Now everyone can have access to technical support. It’s a bit like having a reliable mate down the pub on the end of a phone.”

YouGov carried out the research on behalf of The TechGuys.

— Ends —
More information:
Rob Forbes, PC World, 07872 671829
rob.forbes@dsgiplc.com
Hamish Thompson, Twelve Thirty Eight Ltd, 07702 684290
hamish.thompson@1238kmh.com

Notes to Editors
The TechGuys was launched on 4th September 2006 and is the first and only truly national, fully certified technical support service. The company operates a ‘no fix no fee’ policy for when gadgets go wrong, but also aims to help people get the most from their technology by explaining and demonstrating full functionality. The service is open to everyone, regardless of where the technology was purchased. The TechGuys offer support on a wide range of technology, from the latest televisions to laptops.

There are currently 3,000 fully qualified TechGuys across the country, with a further 2,000 being trained over the next three years. The company estimates that over 80% of computer queries can be solved over the phone. There is also an online service at www. TheTechGuys.com and the capacity to visit 15,000 homes every week.

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