The lockdown has led the majority of South East homeowners to make permanent changes to their house and lifestyle, a new home survey from construction company, Inno Construction, shows. Around half of those surveyed (48%) said they were diverting holiday funds to pay for home improvements, and a third of those who were planning to move house in 2020 are now staying put.
Researchers, Savanta, conducted the study for Ramsgate-based Inno Construction, with a base of 1,005 online respondents aged 18+, living in the South East of England and owning homes. Key findings included:
- Almost half (48%) would consider spending money not spent on a holiday on their home instead, with a further 20% still considering
- With the rise in home working, just over one in five people (23%) are considering making changes to help with home working space with 9% considering an extension to help with that
- While 37% want to spend less than £5,000 on home improvements this year, 19% will spend £6,000 – £9,000 and 23% plan to spend £10,000 – £19,000
- One in 20 are considering bigger home changes by budgeting £50k or more
- Almost a third (29%) have already undertaken new home improvements because of the lockdown and almost two thirds (59%) said they have been inspired to try more DIY
- However, a quarter have experienced ‘DIY disasters’ with 15% now turning to professionals to fix them
A rise in home working
With those who can work from home still being encouraged to do so, xx weeks after the enforced lockdown on 17th March, just over a third (34%) say they are hoping to work from home more in future, and 8% are hoping to work from home full time. Just over one in 20 are hoping to change their workspace to help with home working with 15% being frustrated with the lack of office space.
Home frustrations
A third said they were frustrated with a lack of storage at home and the same number said a lack of space was a bugbear. Meanwhile, one in five aren’t satisfied with the layout of their house and the same number aren’t satisfied with the layout of their garden. In terms of projects, four in ten are considering a bathroom update this year (the most popular home improvement) while 36% will focus on their outside space.
A surge in DIY disasters
Almost a third (29%) have undertaken new home improvements because of the lockdown and almost two thirds (59%) said they have been inspired to try more DIY. However, a quarter of us have had DIY disasters during lockdown, with just over 10% having to get a professional in to fix the problem. Just over a third have been discouraged from DIYing as a result with 8% not undertaking any more themselves.
While one in ten say they still aren’t confident to attempt any work themselves, most people (59%) will do basics such as put up pictures and straightforward painting, while 17% would do it themselves, but don’t have the time.
Popular lockdown activities
The most popular lockdown activities have been watching TV for three quarters, walking or exercise for 68%, followed by gardening (68%), cooking (66%) and reading (57%). Garden DIY and home improvements have been popular for four in 10 of us, beating less popular puzzles and arts and crafts activities.
Comment from Tobias Barfoot at Inno Construction “We are proud to serve the home and business owners of Kent – our aim is to make your plans a reality and add value through innovation, foresight, integrity and performance. At the end of the day customer satisfaction is everything to us”.
