Germany is the biggest DIY market in Europe and, if the all the home improvement shows on television are anything to go by, fixing and assembling remains a desirable pastime. Megastores such as OBI Baumarkt, Praktiker and Bauhaus have home renovation tools and supplies well covered, though they’re best avoided on weekends.

For bigger jobs, you can also hire machinery and specialist equipment at OBI. Globus Fachmarkte has trailer hire and paint mixing services, while Hornbach is the place to head for wallpaper, cut wood, gardening and plumbing supplies. Roof tiles, bricks and paving slabs are available at specialist stores, such as AKA-Zielgruppe. Local family-run hardware stores are few and far between these days, with the notable exception of Gebrüder Kube, who also offers a key cutting service and sells home security devices.

If you’re a first-timer, Toom Baumarkt Gartencenter offers handyman evening courses (three hours of theory or a six-hour course that involves hands-on training) in conjunction with the Deutsche Do-It-Yourself Akademie.

For a hardware item with character, the weekend flea markets in local neighbourhoods are a great place to pick up vintage door and window knobs at bargain prices.