Renovating
Why Homeowners Renovate and What We Care About Most
Time, community roots and the environment are driving our home projects, according to the 2019 UK Houzz & Home report
There are a number of reasons why many of us would like to renovate our homes, but what is it that finally triggers us to begin a project? The 2019 UK Houzz & Home Renovation Trends Study provides some insight into what drives homeowners to renovate, what our main priorities are, and which aspects of a project we find most challenging.
We finally have the time or budget to renovate
It seems that adding value isn’t at the top of everyone’s mind when they decide to renovate. Just 8% of our respondents gave “increasing resale value” as a reason for their decision to take on a home project in 2018.
Time and budget, however, are key drivers. 35% of those who renovated stated they’d wanted to do it all along and finally had the financial means. Similarly, 33% said they at last had the time to take on a project.
A majority of the homeowners we asked also told us they’d renovated because they’d just moved into a new home, while others were looking to adapt their property to meet changes in their lifestyle or family.
It seems that adding value isn’t at the top of everyone’s mind when they decide to renovate. Just 8% of our respondents gave “increasing resale value” as a reason for their decision to take on a home project in 2018.
Time and budget, however, are key drivers. 35% of those who renovated stated they’d wanted to do it all along and finally had the financial means. Similarly, 33% said they at last had the time to take on a project.
A majority of the homeowners we asked also told us they’d renovated because they’d just moved into a new home, while others were looking to adapt their property to meet changes in their lifestyle or family.
We love our homes and neighbourhoods
When Houzz users were asked why they’d decided to renovate rather than move to a more suitable home, the most popular responses were that they wanted to stay in their current property or in the same area.
When Houzz users were asked why they’d decided to renovate rather than move to a more suitable home, the most popular responses were that they wanted to stay in their current property or in the same area.
It’s clear, too, that Houzz renovators like to put their own stamp on their homes, with 33% wanting to create a property that fitted their vision. Similarly, a number of homeowners were keen to add a personal touch in order to make a statement, while others were looking to add specific personalised features.
Many Houzz users also like to get creative, with 17% telling us they wanted a project they could get involved in themselves.
Many Houzz users also like to get creative, with 17% telling us they wanted a project they could get involved in themselves.
Our priorities have shifted a little
The design and function of a home were the top priorities for Houzz renovators in 2018, considerations that have continuously been key since 2016.
However, while the percentage of those putting these two aims at the top of their list has decreased slightly over the past two years, a few areas have sparked increased interest.
The design and function of a home were the top priorities for Houzz renovators in 2018, considerations that have continuously been key since 2016.
However, while the percentage of those putting these two aims at the top of their list has decreased slightly over the past two years, a few areas have sparked increased interest.
The renovators in our survey are placing more importance on energy efficiency (up from 38% in 2016 to 40% in 2018) and incorporating “green” materials (up from 13% to 15%).
A few more homeowners want to integrate technology into their homes than did in 2016, while fewer cite their major goal as addressing health concerns.
A few more homeowners want to integrate technology into their homes than did in 2016, while fewer cite their major goal as addressing health concerns.
We want to find the right professionals
When asked about the challenges of carrying out home improvements, 36% of respondents in our survey put “finding the right service providers” at the top of their list. However, once they’d found their professionals, only 17% found working with them a challenge.
Make the challenge of finding the right people for your project easier by searching the Houzz Professionals Directory.
When asked about the challenges of carrying out home improvements, 36% of respondents in our survey put “finding the right service providers” at the top of their list. However, once they’d found their professionals, only 17% found working with them a challenge.
Make the challenge of finding the right people for your project easier by searching the Houzz Professionals Directory.
Cashflow was also a concerning factor, with 36% of users saying they found it a challenge to stay on budget. Fewer (21%) found it tricky to stay on schedule.
Another aspect Houzz renovators found demanding was finding the right products and materials for their project (32%). Lower on the list of priorities were identifying personal style (21%), funding the project (21%) and dealing with unexpected issues (20%).
It seems most of us have some kind of difficulty to overcome when taking on a renovation. Indeed, it was only a lucky 5% who told us they had no challenges to deal with at all.
Tell us…
What are your reasons for starting a home renovation project, and what are your main priorities? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
Another aspect Houzz renovators found demanding was finding the right products and materials for their project (32%). Lower on the list of priorities were identifying personal style (21%), funding the project (21%) and dealing with unexpected issues (20%).
It seems most of us have some kind of difficulty to overcome when taking on a renovation. Indeed, it was only a lucky 5% who told us they had no challenges to deal with at all.
Tell us…
What are your reasons for starting a home renovation project, and what are your main priorities? Share your thoughts in the Comments section.
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Here are some of the main reasons homeowners renovated, along with some of our top priorities.