HOMEOWNERS are refusing to sacrifice property improvements despite the cost-of-living crisis – by turning to small jobs for a refresh.
A study of 2,000 adults who own a home found 46 per cent intend to make changes to their home this year, but three in five are opting for smaller jobs over big renovations.
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And 23 per cent admitted they don’t want to give up on making home updates despite the rise in costs.
The main reasons for this include updating their home’s style (33 per cent), adding value to the property (25 per cent) and saving money (23 per cent).
Mike Fairman, CEO of Checkatrade, which commissioned the research, said: “Whether it’s giving a living room a new lease of life with a lick of paint or freshening up a bathroom by re-grouting tiles, keeping up with smaller and more affordable improvements means we can continue to keep our homes in top shape.
“These small changes are something we expect to see throughout 2022 as homeowners continue to navigate the rising costs of living and save up for larger home improvements.”
Others who took the survey revealed they want to test out styles before making big changes (17 per cent) and 18 per cent want to stay motivated by concentrating on small jobs.
But nearly half have postponed larger renovations this year due to having less funds than planned (42 per cent) and facing other financial priorities (34 per cent).
Others have been stopped from carrying out larger plans by rising utility bills (27 per cent) and family expenses (21 per cent).
It also emerged the top ‘tweakments’ homeowners are undertaking included painting interior walls (25 per cent), adding new carpet (18 per cent) and painting the fence (17 per cent).
Wallpapering (16 per cent), hanging curtains or blinds (14 per cent) and adding a gallery wall (10 per cent) are also among the popular small jobs.
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It also emerged homeowners have already spent an average of £2,053 this year and expect to spend a further £2,413 in the next 12 months.
Mike Fairman added: “With more than half (55 per cent) intending to tackle big renovation projects themselves, we would encourage homeowners to not be tempted to take any short-cuts and to turn to only reputable and vetted experts to support in any home improvement changes.”
More than three quarters still hope to undertake larger renovations in the next five years, with the bathroom, kitchen and garden top priorities.
While 24 per cent can’t imagine not doing any work in their home for a period of time, with the average homeowner only going 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 through DIY renovations.
Nick and Nicky Pullee, saved around £30,000 by doing the work to turn a run-down cottage into a stunning family home.
The pair paid £175,000 for the “uninhabitable” property in 2018 but after recent upgrades the value is estimated at £300,000, leaving in a far “better financial position”.
On a smaller scale, Ashley Kaneko, a brand designer, illustrator and photographer, demonstrated her own home renovation earlier this month.
Ms Kaneko transformed her bathroom using only a marker pen, which cost around £6.
After a construction mishap she dreaded wallpapering the bathroom and decided to draw her own designs.
TOP 20 SMALL JOBS HOMEOWNERS ARE DOING THIS YEAR:
1. Paint walls
2. New carpet
3. Paint fence
4. Paint ceilings
5. Wallpapering
6. Paint skirting boards
7. New light fitting
8. Re-grout/replace bathroom tiles
9. Hang curtains/blinds
10. Paint/oil interior doors
11. Paint a shed
12. Paint stairs
13. New plug sockets
14. New hard flooring
15. New front door
16. Update kitchen sink
17. Replace kitchen worktops
18. Hang shelves
19. Change/update doorknobs
20. Paint/upcycle garden furniture
