1 DoItYourself.com

A perfect first stop for the web-wise DIY enthusiast: a huge and comprehensive site crammed with “how to” projects, not to mention a buzzing forum and a good selection of video guides.

2 Icovia.com/design

Got grand plans for the spare room? Snub pen and paper and try this free room-designing program instead. No download required, and a doddle to use.

3 Screwfix.com

Not quite as satisfying as a mooch around B&Q, but this massive online store is a godsend when you’re two Rawlplugs short in the middle of nowhere and don’t mind splashing out a fiver for next-morning delivery.

4 ICIpaints.co.uk

The MousePainter tool on this ICI website really works: drag and drop colours onto pictures to “paint” different surfaces, see which shades work, and save your projects as you go. Oddly addictive.

5 DIYchatroom.com

A searchable archive of hundreds of thousands of posts to members’ questions, covering everything from dodgy plumbing to chainsaw safety. There’s a large American influence, though, so the lingo can sometimes be confusing.

6 SafeManuals.com

When you buy that Smeg cooker hood on eBay, it’s odds-on the instructions will be missing. This site claims it has more than a million manuals saved in PDF format — and you can download any of them for free.

7 IkeaHacker.blogspot.com

Bored with your run-of-the-mill Aspviks and Karlstads from the Swedish furnishings chain? This site shows you how to customise its wares. Particularly commendable is the huge coffee table made from six Lack shelves and a bit of old plywood.

8 DIYnot.com

Don’t be put off by the website’s dull design. Head for the vibrant forum, where members — mostly Brits — will throw in their tuppence-worth, whatever your query.

9 ExpertVillage.com

With 14,000 user-generated videos in the home and garden category alone, there’s a good chance you’ll find someone who will show you exactly how to install that drywall in your garage.

10 BobVila.com

DIY-mad Floridian Bob Vila has packed his website with articles on everything from mending toasters to replacing windows. Lots of video content, and the bearded fixer-upper gives you the option to subscribe to a weekly newsletter too.