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Information from the Barbour ABI Home Improvement Index 2024 shows that UK homeowners are focusing on certain renovations, with big-ticket renovations are down the list of priorities. So, will it be a front door or a new set of windows?

Applications for home offices, garden improvements and roof terraces shot up during the pandemic and are still popular now, despite slowing down since their peak in 2021.

Other influences on the market are the cost of living and high energy prices. This has led to a spike in certain the demand for energy-efficient home improvements – so windows are still on the menu.

 

Solar

The biggest change that can be seen on the Barbour ABI Home Improvement Index 2024 is the number of solar panel installations. The change in applications for this type of work was up 223% from 2019 to 2023.

Government support plays a big role in this upward trend. Initiatives such as government grants, the Smart Export Guarantee and the temporary 0% VAT on solar installations which is in place until 31 March 2027.

Beyond the economic advantages and policy support, a growing environmental consciousness is also a significant factor. More people are now recognising the importance of reducing their carbon footprint and are drawn to solar panels as a way of contributing to a more sustainable future. Adding to this, the decreasing costs of solar technology are another driving factor.

 

Insulation

New loft or wall insulation in homes has seen an application increase of 130% between 2019 and 2023. This home improvement continues to be very popular and shows no sign of slowing down.

Government incentives are also playing a key role here. Schemes such as the Great British Insulation Scheme and ECO4 provide financial assistance, including grants and even free insulation for eligible households. Also, new regulations for minimum EPC ratings for rental properties are driving landlords to invest in insulation upgrades.

 

Home offices – garden rooms

Next on the list is home offices, which have seen an increase of 126% between 2019 and 2023. The demand for home offices began during the pandemic when many more people began working from home than ever before. This led to more people needing a dedicated workspace within their homes, driving the surge in home office renovations.

Remote work and hybrid work continue to be extremely common, leading to a demand for more permanent and functional home office spaces. This has led homeowners to invest in more significant renovations, such as converting spare bedrooms, lofts or even building extensions or adding garden rooms to accommodate a dedicated office space.

Self-employment has also seen a huge increase, which has further led to an increase in the need for home offices. Another factor driving these trends is people's desire to stay in their current homes rather than moving to somewhere larger.

While there may be some regional variations, with areas like the West Midlands showing a particularly high interest in home office installations (26% planning to install a home office), the overall trend shows a fundamental shift in how many people in the UK now work. As remote work and hybrid work models continue to persist, the demand for home office renovations is likely to remain a significant aspect of the home improvement market in the UK.

 

Picture: The Eurocell Studio Canopy is the Full Monty when it comes to the company’s Studio range of energy  efficient, pre-fabricated garden rooms.

www.eurocell.co.uk

Article with thanks to MyJobQuote.com

Article written by Cathryn Ellis
25th June 2025

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