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To Door Is To Do
Information from the Barbour ABI Home Improvement Index 2024 shows that UK homeowners are focusing on certain renovations, with big-ticket renovations are...
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Why Is HI Taking Off?
Home improvement is surging according to MyJobQuote, with some but not all, benefiting the windows, doors and garden room market. With the economy still sluggish, the question is why?
Since the pandemic, the UK employment market has seen a huge rise in people working from home. With homeowners spending much more time at home, they may feel more inclined to perform home improvements to make their home look and feel more pleasing, not only as a living environment but as a work environment as well.
Insulation installations to keep the home at a comfortable temperature has seen a huge boost. It is relatively cheap and there are grants around too. And with energy prices going through the roof, homeowners don’t want there expensive heat going through the roof as well. With more people using their home for longer, there is another incentive to save energy.
Home office
Home office spaces are important, so this explains the rise in home office installations whether that is by using room dividers, converting a bedroom or installing a garden room.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development reports that its recent Labour Market Outlook survey found that the number of people working from home is still widespread. Almost half (41%) of employers allow hybrid working with formalised policies in place. One in five (19%) employers also have informal practices between managers and employees, with a modest proportion (15%) who believe they are currently in the testing and learning stage. This shows that there is a huge proportion of workers who are now working from home.
The increased time spent at home has also heightened the focus on overall home wellness. This includes creating comfortable, energy-efficient living spaces. This also led to an increase in certain other home improvements, such as improved ventilation or natural lighting – rooflights, roof windows and garden doors are in high demand.
Triple glazing
According to a survey carried out by the Office for National Statistics, around 4 in 10 adults (41%) who pay energy bills have found it somewhat difficult to afford them. The survey further discovered that 44% of adults in Great Britain are now cutting down on their fuel, such as gas or electricity, usage at home because of the rising cost of living.
The focus on efficiency extends to other upgrades, such as double or triple glazing, to prevent heat from escaping through windows or doors.
There is increasing interest in heat pumps, often requiring good insulation to operate efficiently, further contributes to the renovation market. Homeowners are looking at a holistic approach to energy efficiency, often combining insulation with other green technologies.
Not for sale
For those who already own their home, renovations are much more appealing than moving due to the high costs. A combination of factors, including high property prices, rising interest rates, and the general costs associated with moving (estate agent fees, stamp duty, legal costs, etc), is making many homeowners choose to improve their existing properties rather than move.
Loans
Lenders are increasingly offering green finance options or incorporating energy efficiency improvements into mortgage products or home improvement loans. This financial support can make larger projects more feasible.
Federation of Master Builders
The FMB’s State of Trade Survey shows that home renovation contractors are seeing high numbers of requests for home improvements, renovations, and energy-efficient upgrades.
Additionally, a growing emphasis on environmental sustainability is expected to drive a demand for eco-friendly building materials, reclaimed materials, and renovation practices that minimise the environmental impact.
Picture: Picture: MyJobQuote and Barbour ABI see good market prospects for home improvement but predict that householders will often choose simpler projects over big ticket items for the foreseeable future. However, they might choose a front door, which is an opportunity to upsell them to something like a Gerda door as pictured with thanks.
Article written by Cathryn Ellis
26th June 2025