The UK is preparing to spend £61.8bn on home improvements when Covid-19 lockdown restrictions lift, a new survey reports.
Research from Checkatrade reveals that each homeowner will spend an average of £1,179 on home improvements once lockdown has ended.
The survey of 2,000 homeowners also identified that 53% have observed things wrong with their home during lockdown, and 35% are planning to renovate entire rooms.
Existing kitchens and bathrooms came out as the rooms homeowners disliked the most in their homes.
(MORE: Renovating a Bathroom: How to Design the Perfect Space)
Common causes for improvement included wanting to redecorate (40%), craving more space (28%), needing greater storage (27%) and removing old wallpaper (16%).
Mike Fairman, CEO at Checkatrade, said: “The phrase ‘the home is where the heart is’ has never been truer but living looking at the same four walls for weeks on end is enough to make anyone crave a refresh or refurb.”
The Plot Thickens
To manage living in lockdown, 39% took to creating new spaces, with vegetable plots the most popular new space created. New workstations and playrooms were among the other spaces created.
- Vegetable plots
- Workstations
- Garden oasis
- Outside social space
- Home gym
- Home schooling area
- Calm / meditation zone
- Man cave
- Playroom
- Games room
Builders were told they could return to work last week providing it was safe to do, and tradespeople are now being urged to follow workplace safety guidance to restrict the spread of coronavirus on building sites.
Moreover, several major builders’ merchants such as B&Q, Homebase and Wickes have reopened their doors and homeowners have now a greater choice of self build and renovation materials since lockdown began.
(MORE: One in 12 Households Investing in New Home Offices During Lockdown)