HOMEOWNERS are refusing to forego home improvements despite the cost of living crisis – turning to small jobs for a refresher.
A study of 2,000 homeowners found that 46 percent plan to make changes to their home this year, but three in five are choosing minor jobs over major renovations.
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And 23 percent admitted that they don’t want to do without updates at home despite rising costs.
The main reasons for this are updating the style of their home (33 percent), increasing the value of the property (25 percent) and saving money (23 percent).
Mike Fairman, CEO of Checkatrade, which commissioned the study, said: “Whether it’s breathing new life into a living room with a coat of paint, or refreshing a bathroom by re-tiling, keeping up with smaller and more affordable improvements can do so we continue to keep our home in top shape.
“We expect these small changes throughout 2022 as homeowners continue to cope with rising living costs and save for major renovations.”
Other respondents to the survey said they want to test styles before making big changes (17 percent), and 18 percent want to stay motivated by focusing on small jobs.
But almost half have postponed major renovations this year because they have less funds than planned (42 percent) and other financial priorities (34 percent).
Others have been held back from making bigger plans by soaring utility bills (27 percent) and family expenses (21 percent).
It also found that the top “tweaks” homeowners make include painting interior walls (25 percent), adding new carpeting (18 percent), and painting the fence (17 percent).
Wallpapering (16 percent), hanging curtains or blinds (14 percent) and putting up a gallery wall (10 percent) are also popular small jobs.
It also found that homeowners have already spent an average of £2,053 this year and expect to spend a further £2,413 over the next 12 months.
Mike Fairman added, “With more than half (55 percent) planning to tackle major renovation projects themselves, we encourage homeowners not to be tempted to take any shortcuts and only turn to reputable, tested professionals , to support them in each house improvement changes.”
More than three quarters are still hoping for major renovations in the next five years, with the bathroom, kitchen and garden being the top priority.
While 24 percent can’t imagine going without doing work in their home for a while, the average homeowner spends just eight months in their current property without making any changes to it.
A couple from Snowdonia, Wales, doubled the value of their home in four years with a do-it-yourself renovation.
Nick and Nicky Pullee saved around £30,000 by doing the work to transform a run down cottage into a stunning family home.
The couple paid £175,000 for the “uninhabitable” property in 2018 but after recent upgrades it is estimated to be worth £300,000, resulting in a far “better financial position”.
On a smaller scale, Ashley Kaneko, a brand designer, illustrator and photographer, showed off her own home makeover earlier this month.
Ms Kaneko transformed her bathroom using just a marker pen which cost around £6.
After a construction accident, she didn’t dare wallpaper the bathroom and decided to draw her own designs.
TOP 20 SMALL JOBS HOMEOWNERS DO THIS YEAR:
1. Paint walls
2. New carpet
3. Paint the fence
4. Paint ceilings
5. Wallpapering
6. Paint skirting boards
7. New light
8. Repoint/replace bathroom tiles
9. Hang up curtains/blinds
10. Paint/oil interior doors
11. Paint a shed
12. Paint stairs
13. New sockets
14. New hard floor
15. New front door
16. Update kitchen sink
17. Replace kitchen countertops
18. Hang shelves
19. Change/update doorknobs
20. Painting/upcycling garden furniture
