HomeFix-It Makes The Heart Grow Fonder (NAPSA)—Couples looking to strengthen the bonds between them, a recent study suggests, may do well to try to strengthen their home improvementskills. The survey found 54 percent of all couples (married or living with a significant other) who do home improvement projects together actually enjoyed working with each other. Proving their ability to work together as a couple was cited as a key factor. Nine percent reported that working together was a romantic experience. The Bliss Factor When asked what they liked most about the home improvement experience, 36 percent of the couples said spending time together while 28 percent reported they were pleased because they work well as a team. Another 28 percent said that they laughed a lot and one out of four indicated that working together wasa positive experi- ence because they did a goodjob. He Says, She Says When given the opportunity to compare their ability to do fix-it jobs with that of their partner, 34 percent said they were better (55 percent of males and 11 percent of females claimed superior skills). Oneout of four said their partner was better, with 48 percent of females and five percent of males in this category. One third said both partners did a good job. Tool Savvy Responses were similarly divided when it came to evaluating skills in using basic hand tools. A recent survey says 28 percent of American couples call home improvement projects a favorite activity to do together. Men were decidedly more confident, with 77 percent saying they werebetter at wielding a hammer, screwdriver (68 percent) and saw (84 percent). Pet Projects When it comes to the project the couples prefer, lawn and garden projects ranked number one with 51 percent. Other preferred activities include painting and wallpapering (34 percent), general fix-it and repair (31 percent), woodworking (17 percent) and upgrading flooring (15 percent). The survey was conducted for Great Neck Saw Manufacturers, which has been making and distributing superior quality tools for the hardware, automotive and do- it-yourself markets since 1919. For a free, eight-page booklet Easy Home Fix-Ups, that outlines the eight most common home improvement projects and the tools you need to get the job done, call 800-457-0600.
