UK Home Renovation Trends & Statistics 2025
The UK home improvement market was valued at £11.2 billion as of 2024 and is projected to reach £16.67 billion by 2033 – an expected rise of almost half (+48.8%) in nine years. With almost seven million UK homeowners intending to renovate their houses by 2027, at an average of £14,000 per project, this pattern of growth looks set to continue for years to come.
With this in mind, Hillarys has compiled the latest UK home renovation trends and statistics for 2025 to show how the UK home improvement market has evolved and what the future may hold for those undertaking property refurbishment projects up and down the country.
The average cost of renovating a house in the UK will depend on many factors, including:
The following sections outline some typical house renovation costs in the UK. However, the best way to get accurate home renovation prices is to get quotes from local tradespeople and compare the outcomes to find the person who is right for you and your budget.
When it comes to refurbishing your home, there are some typical renovation costs you could incur. But these will depend on what work you plan on doing and the extent of the home improvement project.
For example, the average loft conversion cost is around £45,000 (potentially one of the most expensive home renovation projects). By comparison, the average cost of a house extension could fall anywhere between £26,000 and £34,000, depending on the type of extension and how much work you plan to do.
| Project | Typical house renovation cost |
|---|---|
| Loft conversion | £45,000 |
| Extension | £26,000 - £34,000 |
| Damp | Up to £16,000 |
| New roof | £4,500 - £12,000 |
| New kitchen | £10,000+ |
| Garage conversion | £6,000 |
| Subsidence | £6,000 |
| New bathroom | £6,000 |
| Installing central heating | £4,000 |
| New boiler | £2,700 |
| Fixing rot | £1,000 - £2,000 |
| Woodworm treatment | £450 - £800 |
| Double glazing | £400 - £600 per window |
(Source: HOA)
You may find that some renovation projects don’t become an issue. However, should you need to repair damage caused by dampness (for example), the average cost of damp proofing could reach anything up to £16,000. Similarly, the cost of a new roof could vary between £4,500 and £12,000, depending on the extent of the damage and how much work needs to be done.
At the other end of the scale, some home improvements may be relatively cheaper to complete than others. For example, the average woodworm treatment cost usually falls between £400 and £800, with the price to fix rot typically somewhere between £1,000 and £2,000.
The average cost of a full house renovation in the UK will largely depend on the size of the property and the extent of work being completed.
According to estimates from Sena Furniture, UK house renovation costs could range between £700 and £2,000 per square metre.
That said, the average cost of renovating a house may vary for different property sizes:
According to estimates from Fittra, the average cost of renovating a 2-bed house in the UK could fall between £107,900 and £147,300, depending on the type and scale of any refurbishment taking place.
A loft renovation is likely to be one of the most expensive home renovation projects for a 2-bed house, with the average loft conversion cost sitting around £50,000. Likewise, a kitchen renovation project could prove costly, depending on the extent of the work. As of 2024, the average cost of a new kitchen for a 2-bed house would typically set you back up to £30,000.
| Item | Average cost (+VAT) |
|---|---|
| Loft renovation | £50,000 |
| Kitchen renovation | £12,500 - £30,000 |
| Kitchen extension | £25,000 |
| Wall replastering | £2,000 - £15,000 |
| New roof installation | £4,000 - £12,500 |
| Heating system renovation | £7,000 |
| Full house rewiring | £6,500 |
| Bathroom remodelling | £6,000 |
| Garage renovation | £6,000 |
| Window replacements | £5,000 |
| Knock down walls | £2,500 |
| Gas supply installation | £1,500 |
| Rot repair | £1,500 |
| Woodworm treatment | £400 - £800 |
| Total | £107,900 - £147,300 |
(Source: Fittra)
Similarly, certain renovation tasks may not be on your radar. So, it will only become an incurred cost if it’s something you wish/need to complete, such as a garage conversion. In 2024, the average garage conversion cost was £6,000.
At the cheaper end of the scale, the average cost of woodworm treatment for a 2-bed house in the UK stands around £400 - £800 (depending on the extent and the severity). Likewise, the typical cost of rot treatment and the average gas central heating installation cost both sit around £1,500 for a 2-bed property in the UK as of 2024.
Based on estimates from Checkatrade, the average cost to renovate a home in the UK in 2024 was £76,690.
However, every house renovation is unique, so the typical price of renovating a house can vary massively. The average cost for a 3-bed house refurbishment could fall anywhere between £43,530 and £110,350, depending on the extent of the work you need to do and any complications you incur on the way.
In terms of individual home renovation projects, one of the most expensive could be the replastering of walls and ceilings (especially if it involves hacking off the existing material). Checkatrade estimates place the price of this somewhere between £16,000 and £32,000 depending on how many rooms need doing, with the average cost at £26,500.
Similarly, the average cost of a kitchen extension (12m²) for a 3-bed house in the UK was around £19,500 in 2024 (but could range from £15,000 to £24,000). Likewise, the average cost of a new kitchen for a 3-bed property in 2024 was £17,500. However, the final sum will depend on various factors, such as the make, model, materials used, and the inclusion of any desired features in your new kitchen.
Adding skirting for a new extension is likely to be one of the lowest costs incurred with a 3-bed home renovation project, averaging around £350. This is followed by putting in a new gas supply, with an average gas central heating installation cost of £1,500 in 2024.
Comparably, fitting a new cloakroom downstairs toilet with tiling and knocking down walls in your property could each set you back around £2,000 for a 3-bed house, with respective ranges of £1,500 - £2,500 and £500 - £3,500.
According to HomeOwners Alliance (HOA), the average cost of a full structural survey should be between £500 and £1,500. This is an important step of the UK home renovation process, as it will make you aware of any problems with the property before undertaking any work and allow you to make informed decisions about where to best spend your money.
For example, if your home has been the victim of subsidence, you may need to underpin the property. This can cost anything up to £50,000. The Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors estimate this is only necessary in less than 10% of cases, but it is still something to bear in mind.
Realistically, the average cost of structural repairs is likely to be around £6,000.
The average cost of a full structural survey will depend on many factors, such as the size, type, age, and location of your property.
Based on the property price at the time of purchase, you can expect to pay an average cost of:
A full structural survey is typically the most expensive option for those buying a property. However, there are other options available. For example, a Condition Report is a basic survey that gives a general overview of the property’s condition and draws attention to any large issues. This will likely cost around £250.
Similarly, a Homebuyers Report goes into more detail than a Condition Report but is not as thorough as a full structural survey. Typically, this will set you back about £400.
Solid hardwood flooring is typically the most costly type of flooring. With an average hardwood flooring cost of £80+ per m², this makes it around 2.5 times more expensive than traditional softwood pine flooring and laminate. Incidentally, the average laminate flooring installation cost for 2025 in the UK was £30, making it one of the most affordable types of flooring to buy and install.
| Type of flooring | Average cost of materials (per m²) | Average cost of installation (per m²) |
|---|---|---|
| Solid hardwood | £80+ | £35 - £60 |
| Engineered wood | £50 | £45 |
| Luxury vinyl tile (LVT) | £35 | £45 |
| Softwood (pine) | £30 | £45 |
| Laminate | £30 | £30 |
(Source: Checkatrade)
Conversely, the average cost of engineered wood flooring was £50 as of 2025, making it the second most expensive type of flooring to buy and install. The typical LVT flooring cost is just over a third (35.3%) less than engineered wood, yet both have similar average installation charges (£45 per m²).
| Additional item | Average cost |
|---|---|
| Floorboard replacement (labour + materials) | £45 per m² |
| Door trimming | £30 (per door) |
| Furniture relocation | £25-£30 per hour |
| Floor levelling (labour + screeding materials) | £6-£30 per m² |
| Skirting installation | £22 per m |
| Carpet removal and disposal | £7 per m² |
| Beading | £6.50 per m |
(Source: Checkatrade)
Average flooring installation costs can vary depending on the type of flooring and the extent of the work in question.
At the higher end of the scale, floorboard replacement (labour and materials) typically costs around £45 per m², with the average cost of door trimmings approximately £30 per door.
Beading tends to be one of the cheaper items associated with installing new flooring, at an average of £6.50 per metre, followed by carpet removal and disposal (usually around £7 per m²).
The average cost of flooring a 3-bed house in the UK will vary according to the type of flooring and the size of the property.
For example, the cost of laminate flooring in a 19m² living room is likely to be around £1,235. Upgrade this to solid hardwood, and you can expect the cost to double. The same can also be said for an open-plan downstairs flooring project of 40m² (£2,600 vs. £5,200) and reflooring the entire house (£5,850 vs. £11,700).
On average, engineered wood costs almost two-fifths (37.5%) more than laminate flooring but is around a third (31.1%) cheaper compared to solid hardwood.
The average carpet fitting cost can vary between £20 and £35 an hour (or £150 - £250 per day), depending on your location. The carpet cost itself (not including installation) will change according to the type, style, and material it's made from. This could range from £6 per m² up to £80 per m² or above.
| Potential costs associated with new carpets | Average price |
|---|---|
| Carpet installation (hourly rate) | £20 - £35 |
| Carpet installation (daily rate) | £150 - £250 |
| Carpet (not inc. installation) | £6 - £80+ per m² |
| Underlay and fitting | £8 - £12 per m² |
| Standard size bedroom | £550 - £650 + VAT |
| Standard size lounge | £550 - £650 + VAT |
| Single straight staircase | £150 - £250 + VAT |
| 12 x 12 room (14m²) | £300 - £800 |
| 1-bed house | £400 - £800 |
| 2-bed house | £700 - £1,400 |
| 3-bed house | £1,000 - £2,000+ |
| 4-bed house | £1,200 - £2,500+ |
| Preparing the floor (i.e. floor levelling) | £10 - £15 per m² |
| Adjusting door frames | £20 - £30 per door |
| Delivery | £30+ |
(Source: Checkatrade)
Of course, the size of the property and rooms being carpeted can influence the final price. For example, the average cost to carpet a 3 bedroom house in the UK is usually somewhere between £1,000 and £2,000+ (around a third more (35.29%) compared to a standard 2-bed property).
The average cost of new windows will vary depending on the type of window you desire, the material it is made from, and how many you wish to install.
For example, a standard uPVC casement-style window may range from £372 - £691 per window. Upgrade to aluminium and you could expect the average cost per window to almost double. At the other end, composite casement windows are generally the most expensive at £2,046 - £3,596 – around five times more expensive than uPVC.
| uPVC | Aluminium | Timber | Composite | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casement | £372 - £691 | £744 - £1,147 | £1,147 - £1,829 | £2,046 - £3,596 |
| Sash | £719 - £1,159 | £1,178 - £1,674 | £1,612 - £2,356 | n/a |
| Tilt-and-turn | £589 - £739 | £589 - £739 | £589 - £739 | £589 - £739 |
| Bay | £1,364 - £1,674 | £1,364 - £1,674 | £1,364 - £1,674 | £1,364 - £1,674 |
| Bow | £1,426 - £1,674 | £1,426 - £1,674 | £1,426 - £1,674 | £1,426 - £1,674 |
(Source: Checkatrade)
Sash windows typically range between £719 and £2,356, according to their type of material. At the lower end, uPVC sash windows have an average cost of £719 - £1,159 (around twice as much as uPVC casement ones). By comparison, timber sash windows vary between £1,612 and £2,356 per window – a difference in cost of around three-quarters (76.6%).
Alternatively, tilt-and-turn windows tend to cost between £589 and £739 per window regardless of their material and are typically around half the cost compared to bay or bow-style windows.
According to the Federation of Master Builders (FMB), wooden window frames should be repaired, repainted, or revarnished every one to five years to keep them in good condition. For those looking at DIY maintenance, this may cost around £100 and take between two and six hours per window to complete.
The average cost of installing new uPVC windows for a standard 3-bed house in the UK is around £4,000, not including maintenance. Assuming these windows last 20 years, the yearly cost should be approximately £200.
That said, replacing the wooden windows of a 3-bed property could set you back about £10,500. With average upkeep costs of £1,000 over 40 years, this would equate to a lifetime cost of £11,500 for wooden windows (or £287 per year).
This means that by choosing uPVC windows over wooden ones, you could save around £87 a year.
Average labour costs when renovating a house can vary according to the profession in question, your location, and the tradesperson’s level of experience. Plumbers and electricians tend to charge the most, with average costs of £325 per day. This is around twice as expensive as the typical cost of a labourer (£165 per day); however, their skill sets are completely different.
Apprentices are generally the cheapest labour to hire when renovating a property, at an average of £135 per day. That said, they are likely to be the least experienced and still learning their trade, so they may not necessarily provide value for money in the long run, particularly if you’re after a specialised tradesperson to complete the work for you.
Plumbers and electricians tend to have the largest range in the amount they will charge to complete home renovation work across all professions, at £150. This is contrasted by just £30 between the lowest and highest cost to hire a labourer or apprentice.
According to Aviva’s most recent ‘How We Live’ report, almost seven million UK homeowners plan to renovate their properties in 2025, each spending an average of more than £14,000 on home improvements by 2027.
UK home renovation statistics from Aviva indicate that more than a sixth (17%) of those surveyed plan to spend between £5,001 and £10,000 on property refurbishment in 2025 – the most popular amount from the study. This was followed by just over one in 10 (12%) who intend to spend £3,001 - £5,000 on renovating their homes.
A similar proportion (10%) of those questioned by Aviva claim to have budgeted between £20,001 and £50,000 for home improvements in 2025 – around double the percentage who plan on spending £15,001 - £20,000.
| Year | Median average renovation spend (£) |
|---|---|
| 2021 | £18,000 |
| 2022 | £16,250 |
| 2023 | £17,000 |
(Source: Houzz)
As of 2023, the average annual spending on home improvements in the UK is £17,000. This represented an increase of 4.6% from the previous year but a drop of 5.6% from 2021.
According to recent home renovation trends and statistics, around a fifth (22%) of those surveyed by Keystone Market Research plan to increase their home improvement budget in 2025 by an average of £7,386.
Despite less than one in 10 (7%) expecting to reduce their DIY budget by an average of £8,125, almost half (47%) intend to maintain their 2025 budget compared to 2024.
This should result in a net budget increase of almost a sixth (15%).
As of 2022-23, home renovation statistics from the ONS suggest a typical UK household spent £41.80 per week on property improvements. This equated to just over a fifth (21%) of their average weekly total household expenditure. Almost three-quarters (74.4%) of this spending was down to home alterations and improvements, amounting to an average of £31.10 per week.
| Year | Maintenance and repair of dwelling | % of avg. total weekly housing expenditure | Alterations and improvements to dwelling | % of avg. total weekly housing expenditure | Avg. total housing expenditure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019-20 | £8 | 5% | £28.10 | 16% | £176.40 |
| 2020-21 | £10 | 5% | £24.10 | 13% | £185.00 |
| 2021-22 | £9.70 | 5% | £30.80 | 16% | £195.40 |
| 2022-23 | £10.70 | 5% | £31.10 | 16% | £200.80 |
(Source: ONS)
Home renovation trends in this data indicate the average amount spent by UK households on maintenance, repair, alterations, and improvements has generally increased over time, rising by almost a sixth (15.8%) between 2019-23.
Generally speaking, as household income increases, so does the average weekly expenditure on home improvements (both in terms of the amount and as a percentage of total weekly household spending).
In 2022-23, those in the lowest income group typically spent £9.40 a week on home renovations, equating to just over a tenth (11.11%) of their average total housing expenditure. Those from middle-income households (i.e. group five) spent around £33.50 a week on improving their properties – almost four times the amount compared to the lowest income group, yet their average total weekly expenditure on housing is only just over double by comparison.
| Gross income decile group | Maintenance and repair of dwelling | % of avg. total weekly housing expenditure | Alterations and improvements to dwelling | % of avg. total weekly housing expenditure | Avg. weekly housing expenditure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | £2.40 | 2.8% | £7.00 | 8.3% | £85 |
| 2 | £5.60 | 6.7% | £6.60 | 7.9% | £84 |
| 3 | £9.80 | 7.4% | £16.10 | 12.2% | £133 |
| 4 | £8.50 | 6.2% | £19.80 | 14.5% | £136 |
| 5 | £8.00 | 4.4% | £25.20 | 13.9% | £181 |
| 6 | £15.30 | 7.7% | £20.90 | 10.5% | £199 |
| 7 | £13.20 | 6.4% | £25.30 | 12.4% | £205 |
| 8 | £12.30 | 5.2% | £40.20 | 17.0% | £237 |
| 9 | £13.70 | 4.3% | £61.20 | 19.4% | £315 |
| 10 | £18.10 | 4.2% | £88.80 | 20.4% | £435 |
| All | £10.70 | 5.3% | £31.10 | 15.5% | £201 |
(Source: ONS)
The wealthiest UK households spent an average of £106.90 a week on household improvements in 2022-23. This contributed just over a fifth (20.8%) of their typical average weekly housing expenditure for the year and around 11 times more than those in the lowest income group.
Overall, those in income group nine spent the largest percentage of their housing expenditure on maintenance, repair, alterations, and improvements in 2022-23, at just under a quarter (24.6%).
Taking household income out of the equation, the average UK household spent £41.80 on improving their homes in 2022-23, or just over a fifth (20.8%) of their total weekly household spending.
| Age group | Maintenance and repair of dwelling | % of avg. total weekly housing expenditure | Alterations and improvements to dwelling | % of avg. total weekly housing expenditure | Avg. weekly housing expenditure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Under 30 | £2.60 | 1.11% | £10.00 | 4.29% | £233 |
| 30 to 49 | £8.60 | 3.27% | £35.40 | 13.46% | £263 |
| 50 to 64 | £13.40 | 6.77% | £38.70 | 19.57% | £197 |
| 65 to 74 | £12.00 | 8.11% | £29.70 | 20.07% | £148 |
| 75 or over | £13.70 | 14.59% | £19.40 | 20.66% | £93 |
| All | £10.70 | 5.33% | £31.10 | 15.49% | £200 |
(Source: ONS)
Home renovation trends from the ONS suggest that the UK average household expenditure tends to rise with age up to 64 before decreasing in the older age groups.
Using the most recent data available from 2022-23, those under the age of 30 tend to spend the least on home renovation projects at £12.60 per week (or 5.4% of their average weekly spend on housing).
Homeowners aged 50-64 typically spend the most improving their homes at £52.10 per week (around four times more per week than those aged under 30). In real terms, this means a typical 50 to 64-year-old homeowner spends more than a quarter (26.34%) of their average weekly housing expenditure on either maintenance, repair work, alteration, and/or improvements to their property.
| Location | Maintenance and repair of dwelling | % of avg. total weekly housing expenditure | Alterations and improvements to dwelling | % of avg. total weekly housing expenditure | Avg. weekly housing expenditure |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United Kingdom | £10.70 | 5.33% | £31.10 | 15.49% | £201 |
| England | £11.00 | 5.20% | £32.50 | 15.37% | £211 |
| North East | £4.00 | 3.25% | £20.00 | 16.27% | £123 |
| North West | £8.10 | 5.33% | £26.10 | 17.17% | £152 |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £10.20 | 6.05% | £30.80 | 18.28% | £169 |
| East Midlands | £13.70 | 6.68% | £26.40 | 12.87% | £205 |
| West Midlands | £8.90 | 5.60% | £28.00 | 17.62% | £159 |
| East | £12.90 | 5.42% | £41.80 | 17.58% | £238 |
| London | £11.20 | 4.15% | £26.90 | 9.96% | £270 |
| South East | £13.80 | 5.02% | £45.00 | 16.37% | £275 |
| South West | £11.70 | 5.61% | £36.40 | 17.45% | £209 |
| Wales | £12.70 | 6.89% | £44.00 | 23.86% | £184 |
| Scotland | £8.20 | 6.10% | £14.60 | 10.86% | £134 |
| Northern Ireland | £4.90 | 4.36% | £17.10 | 15.21% | £112 |
(Source: ONS)
UK home renovation statistics reveal that those in the South East tend to spend the most on home improvements, with an average weekly spend of £58.80. This is around 2.5 times more than the average homeowner in Northern Ireland, who typically spent £22 a week on home refurbishments in 2022-23.
Inhabitants of Wales spend less than a third (30.75%) of their average weekly housing expenditure on home improvements – the largest percentage of all UK regions.
By contrast, those in the capital spend the lowest proportion of their weekly housing expenditure on home renovation projects, at around a seventh (14.11%).
This means, proportionally, Welsh homeowners are spending more than double improving their properties compared to Londoners. Yet, the difference in their average weekly housing expenditure as a whole is only around two-fifths (37.9%), with London homeowners typically spending £270 a week on their homes compared to £184 per week in Wales.
The UK home improvement market was estimated to be worth around £11.12 billion as of 2024.
According to projections by IMARC Group, this could reach a value of £16.67 billion by 2033, at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.33% between 2025-33.
As of 2024, the revenue of UK decorating and DIY retailers totalled approximately £8.82 billion for the year. This follows a general upward trajectory over the previous 16 years, rising from £6.18 billion in 2008 up to a peak of £9.47 billion in 2020, with minor fluctuations in between.
DIY market trends for 2025-30 suggest revenue figures for UK DIY and decorating retailers could reach £9.81 billion by the end of the decade – a rise of almost a tenth (9.2%) in the space of five years.
The five-year growth rate for 2020-25 indicates a decrease of around 5.1%, yet the 10-year growth rate is more positive at almost a third (30.5%), suggesting the period between 2020-25 was a blip rather than the norm for DIY and decorating revenue in the UK.
Sales figures for the UK’s DIY and decorating sector fluctuated between 1988 and 2024, rising to a peak of £19 billion in 2004 for hardware, paints, and glass. Since then, revenue in this area of the UK DIY market has been on a general downward trend, rising again during the Covid years to £17.1 billion in 2021 before falling again to around £12.8 billion in 2024 (a fall of around a quarter (25.1%) in the space of three years).
This fluctuating trend is mirrored by sales revenue for furniture and lighting, reaching a peak of £17.8 billion in 2018 – or just over half (50.1%) of the UK’s overall DIY and decorating revenue for the year.
Sales revenue for flooring has remained relatively low since 1988 and followed a general pattern of decline, falling from a peak of £5.4 billion down to £2.7 billion in 2024. This represents a 50% decrease in the space of 36 years.
| Year | Hardware, paints, and glass | Floor coverings | Furniture, lighting, etc. | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sales index | Sales (£bn) | Sales index | Sales (£bn) | Sales index | Sales (£bn) | |
| 2015 | 106.2 | 14.2 | 75.2 | 2.1 | 101 | 16.7 |
| 2016 | 109.4 | 14.7 | 68.4 | 1.9 | 104.1 | 17.2 |
| 2017 | 105.7 | 14.2 | 78.2 | 2.1 | 103.7 | 17.1 |
| 2018 | 112.6 | 15.1 | 78.6 | 2.2 | 107.9 | 17.8 |
| 2019 | 101.1 | 13.5 | 65.3 | 1.8 | 107.1 | 17.7 |
| 2020 | 116.6 | 15.6 | 55.5 | 1.5 | 92.9 | 15.4 |
| 2021 | 127.5 | 17.1 | 77.8 | 2.1 | 97.9 | 16.2 |
| 2022 | 100 | 13.4 | 100 | 2.7 | 100 | 16.5 |
| 2023 | 94.1 | 12.6 | 92.8 | 2.5 | 96 | 15.9 |
| 2024 | 95.6 | 12.8 | 99.7 | 2.7 | 86.4 | 14.3 |
| 2025 | 96.6 | 12.9 | 95.5 | 2.6 | 87.1 | 14.4 |
| 2026 | 97.6 | 13.1 | 92.3 | 2.5 | 87.9 | 14.5 |
| 2028 | 99.5 | 13.3 | 85.9 | 2.4 | 89.4 | 14.8 |
| 2029 | 100.5 | 13.5 | 82.7 | 2.3 | 90.1 | 14.9 |
| 2030 | 101.5 | 13.6 | 79.5 | 2.2 | 90.9 | 15 |
(Source: Hillarys via Statista)
As of 2024, the UK DIY and decorating industry generated an estimated £29.8 billion in revenue. By the start of the next decade, this is predicted to reach £30.8 billion – a rise of almost 3.4% in the space of six years, suggesting the UK’s DIY market is starting to stagnate after a recent period of turbulence.
Using 2022 as the base year, the revenue generated by the sale of hardware, paints, and glass in 2024 was around 4.4% less by comparison but is expected to pick up again by 2029. However, the future is less positive for floor coverings and furniture and lighting, with an anticipated reduction in revenue for 2030 of more than a fifth (20.5%) and almost a tenth (9.1%), respectively, compared to 2022 figures.
Before 2022, the sales index for hardware, paints, and glass was generally above 100, meaning sales figures were higher by comparison. No more so than in 2021, when the figure stood at more than a quarter (+27.5%) – probably reflective of the rise of DIY projects completed by people in the UK during the Covid-19 pandemic.
That said, sales revenue from flooring between 2015-21 was considerably lower than 2022 as a comparison, ranging between an index score of 78.6 (or 21.4% less revenue) in 2018 and 55.5 (or 44.5% less) in 2020.
According to the sales index for UK furniture and lighting, figures dropped to their lowest in 2024 at 86.4, meaning the revenue generated in this year from the sale of furniture and lighting was around a seventh (13.6%) less compared to 2022.
Hardware, paints, and glass experienced a negative growth rate of almost a fifth (-17.2 %) between 2020-25 and just under a tenth (-9.1 %) for 2015-25. This suggests the sector is struggling in terms of sales when it comes to these DIY items.
A similar trend was seen for furniture and lighting, at -6.2% and -13.7%, respectively.
That said, floor coverings posted a substantial growth in sales figures between 2020-25, at almost three-quarters (72.1%) and more than a quarter growth (27.0%) from 2015-25.
As of 2024, there were approximately 6,265 specialised stores in the UK for the retail sale of hardware, paints, and glass. This represents general positive growth from 2008, when there were 5,618 stores across the country – a rise of more than a tenth (11.5%) in the space of 16 years.
DIY market trends for 2025-30 suggest that the number of stores specialising in the retail sale of hardware, paints, and glass could reach 6,652 by the end of the decade – an increase of 6.3% from 2024 figures.
Almost three-fifths (59%) of homeowners surveyed by Houzz planned to decorate or furnish their property in 2024, making it the most popular planned activity in the home for 2024.
Home renovation trends show this to be the case for the previous three years, standing marginally lower at 57% between 2021-23.
Just under half (49%) of people questioned planned to renovate their home in 2024, with around a third (32%) intending to repair their property at some point that year. This highlights a gradual decrease from 2021, when respective figures stood at just over half (53%) and two-fifths (40%).
The proportion of people looking to purchase and move into a new property in 2024 also dropped by 12 and 10 percentage points, respectively, from 2021.
Almost one in three (29%) homeowners surveyed by Hafele plan to do interior decorating in 2025, making it the most common option for DIY home renovation projects.
Just under a quarter (23%) intend to install a new kitchen, with around a fifth (21%) looking to renovate their bathroom or lay new flooring.
Aviva’s research into home renovation trends found that more than half (54%) of UK homeowners undertake renovation projects to improve the appearance of their property.
They also discovered that a fifth (21%) want to extend their house and make it bigger, with around one in six (17%) looking to add more bathroom facilities and/or increase the number of rooms to accommodate multigenerational living.
According to data collected by Hillarys via Pinterest, new bathrooms are one of the most popular home renovation trends for 2025. With almost 89,000 pins across 376 unique boards, this was the highest for both categories across all DIY keywords in the study.
This is followed closely by new carpets, with 82,490 pins over 355 unique boards, to give an average of 232.4 pins per board.
| Keyword | Total no. of pins | No. of unique boards | Total no. of pins/no. of unique boards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Loft conversion | 42,140 | 311 | 135.5 |
| Garden makeover | 33,414 | 312 | 107.1 |
| New flooring | 31,950 | 315 | 101.4 |
| Bedroom renovation | 33,310 | 353 | 94.4 |
| Bathroom upgrade | 28,167 | 338 | 83.3 |
| Bedroom upgrade | 23,158 | 338 | 68.5 |
| New home office | 21,403 | 321 | 66.7 |
| Home Insulation | 13,173 | 250 | 52.7 |
| Understairs storage | 7,642 | 159 | 48.1 |
| Single-storey extension | 9,203 | 217 | 42.4 |
| Knock through rooms | 3,670 | 96 | 38.2 |
| Cellar conversion | 6,808 | 182 | 37.4 |
| New driveway | 9,410 | 340 | 27.7 |
| New downstairs toilet | 2,180 | 152 | 14.3 |
| New boiler | 1,853 | 182 | 10.2 |
(Source: Hillarys via Pinterest)
Bathroom renovations placed third on the list. Despite possessing nine more unique boards than new carpets, having around 8.3% fewer pins by comparison resulted in an average of 208.6 pins per board.
Google Trends data collected by Hillarys shows that new windows were one of the most commonly searched home renovation trends of 2024, with an average of 73.71 monthly searches. This keyword has seen sustained year-on-year growth in popularity since 2021 by almost a seventh (13.57%) in the space of three years (2021-24).
Should current trends continue, ‘new windows’ is predicted to be the third most searched keyword associated with UK home renovation projects by the end of 2025, having been overtaken by ‘kitchen renovation’ and ‘bathroom renovation’ with respective averages of 83.25 and 89.81 monthly searches.
| Keyword | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Percentage growth (%) (2021-24) | Percentage growth (%) (2021-25) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bathroom renovation | 42.79 | 43.73 | 46.77 | 66.54 | 89.81 | 55.51% | 109.90% |
| Kitchen renovation | 48.12 | 44.56 | 43.85 | 54.77 | 83.25 | 13.83% | 73.01% |
| New home office | 23.46 | 25.46 | 28.98 | 30.19 | 38.16 | 28.69% | 62.65% |
| New driveway | 47.67 | 38.21 | 42.4 | 45.31 | 60.68 | -4.96% | 27.28% |
| New windows | 64.9 | 69.44 | 71.28 | 73.71 | 80.43 | 13.57% | 23.91% |
| New shower | 38.46 | 40.04 | 40.92 | 41.52 | 47.64 | 7.95% | 23.86% |
| New bathroom | 66.19 | 59.81 | 61.06 | 64.08 | 77.82 | -3.20% | 17.57% |
| New Kitchen | 55.75 | 52.06 | 51.7 | 54.06 | 62.1 | -3.04% | 11.38% |
| New flooring | 64.48 | 60.71 | 56.83 | 60.67 | 67.58 | -5.91% | 4.80% |
| New carpets | 68.56 | 55.37 | 57.17 | 55.15 | 71.1 | -19.55% | 3.70% |
(Source: Hillarys via Google Trends)
By 2025, bathroom renovations are expected to be the most commonly searched home improvement term and become more than twice as popular as it was in 2021 (+109.9% growth in the space of four years).
Similarly, the popularity of kitchen renovations is anticipated to grow by almost three-quarters (73.01%) by the end of 2025 compared to the average monthly search volumes for 2021.
| Keyword | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Percentage growth (%) (2021-24) | Percentage growth (%) (2021-25) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Garage conversion | 62.38 | 49.29 | 45.98 | 46.25 | 56.07 | -25.86% | -10.13% |
| New bedroom | 70.23 | 63.21 | 55.38 | 54.42 | 60.87 | -22.51% | -13.33% |
| Loft conversion | 58.4 | 48.62 | 40.75 | 39.67 | 46.01 | -32.07% | -21.22% |
| Single-storey extension | 53.71 | 39.48 | 33.43 | 34.38 | 40.95 | -35.98% | -23.75% |
| Garden makeover | 42.12 | 27.73 | 26.36 | 20.15 | 29.28 | -52.15% | -30.48% |
(Source: Hillarys via Google Trends)
At the other end of the scale, garden makeovers are forecast to drop in popularity in 2025 by almost a third (-30.48%) compared to their relative popularity in 2021, with single-storey extensions decreasing in search frequency by around a quarter (-23.75%).
"It’s little surprise that bathroom and kitchen renovations are some of the most searched home improvement projects. These can offer a high return on investment (ROI) in terms of boosting property prices, improving your home’s overall appeal and marketability when you come to sell, and generally making day-to-day life more comfortable/functional. However, not everyone wants to do, or can afford, an entire bathroom/kitchen makeover. Therefore, even making relatively minor alterations, such as installing new blinds and curtains, can rejuvenate your living spaces and refresh your décor (without having to do a full renovation project). They can also allow for better temperature and light control, energy efficiency, and noise reduction without having to break the bank."
Around one in three (29%) homeowners surveyed by Houzz renovated their bathroom in 2023, making it the most popular interior room to renovate that year. This was marginally higher than the kitchen and living/family room, both refurbished by just over a quarter (26%) of respondents.
Incidentally, the popularity of renovating the bathroom grew by eight percentage points between 2021-23 compared to kitchen and living room renovations, which both dropped by three and two respective percentage points over this period.
According to a homeowner renovation survey by Houzz, people in the UK averaged 2.7 upgrades a year for their interior rooms in 2023 – a figure that has remained consistent since 2021.
| Part of the house | Avg. no. of upgrades (2021) | Avg. no. of upgrades (2022) | Avg. no. of upgrades (2023) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Interior rooms | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.7 |
| Home systems | 2.4 | 2.5 | 2.8 |
| Exterior features | 2.4 | 2.2 | 1.6 |
(Source: Houzz)
Upgrading home systems increased in popularity between 2021-23, from an average of 2.4 upgrades per year to 2.8, whereas exterior features showed a decrease from 2.4 upgrades per year in 2021 down to 1.6 in 2023.
As of 2023, just over a third (34%) of UK homeowners started a renovation project either because they wanted to do it all along and finally had the means or time. Both these reasons saw respective falls of three and four percentage points from 2021, when closer to two-fifths of people gave this as their primary reason for renovating their home.
| Reason | Percentage of respondents (2021) (%) | Percentage of respondents (2022) (%) | Percentage of respondents (2023) (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wanted to do it all along and finally have the means | 37% | 37% | 34% |
| Wanted to do it all along and finally have the time | 38% | 38% | 34% |
| Purchased home/move in recently and want to customise it | 25% | 29% | 30% |
| Addressing recently discovered deterioration/damage | 16% | 19% | 19% |
| Adapting to recent changes in family and/or lifestyle | 24% | 23% | 19% |
(Source: Houzz)
Similarly, around three in 10 (30%) people surveyed by Houzz in 2023 claimed to have purchased a home/moved in recently and wanted to customise it – a five percentage point increase from 2021, when this figure stood at a quarter (25%) of UK homeowners who gave this reason as their main motivation for renovating a property.
Around a third (33%) of homeowners surveyed by Aviva installed double glazing in their home at some point between 2023-25, with a similar percentage (30%) indicating they would like to. This data suggests that an increasing number of UK homeowners are on the lookout for not only the highest quality products for their home improvement projects, but also the most energy efficient products.
Installing insulation was the next most popular energy efficient solution by UK homeowners when renovating their home, with roughly one in three (32%) having done so between 2023-25 and two in five (40%) claiming a desire to.
Kitchen renovation projects usually take the longest to complete, with an average planning length of 11.1 months and a typical construction time of 4.9 months. This puts it around 1.7 months longer to plan and 1.4 months longer to build compared to renovating a standard utility room.
According to survey data from Houzz, wardrobe renovation projects and refurbishing a bedroom tend to take the least amount of time to plan (both 5.3 months on average), yet bedrooms typically take 0.4 months less to construct by comparison.
In all, you could almost plan the refurbishment of a wardrobe and bedroom in the same amount of time it takes to plan for a kitchen renovation.
Construction-wise, garages tend to take the least amount of time to build, at an average of 2.4 months. Yet, the average planning time for a garage is approximately 2.5 times longer, usually around 6.1 months. If you're almost all the way through your garage build, and are looking to put the finishing touches on your project, be sure to check out our garage doors range.
Most house renovation projects take between three and nine months to complete. However, this will depend on various factors, such as its complexity, any complications you encounter along the way, property size, the overall finish you desire, and how much you’re doing yourself vs. hiring professional help.
More than four in five (86%) UK homeowners fund their home renovation projects using either cash or savings – making it the most popular source of funding for DIY tasks and home improvements.
Around a fifth (18%) opt for credit cards to cover the cost of refurbishing their property, with an identical percentage using money received as a gift and/or from an inheritance to pay for such work.
| Source of funding | 25-39 | 40-54 | 55-74 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cash/savings | 88% | 87% | 85% |
| Credit card (that can be used anywhere) | 34% | 26% | 14% |
| Gift/inheritance | 29% | 10% | 8% |
| Loan unsecured by home value | 17% | 7% | 4% |
| Cash from previous home sale | 15% | 16% | 19% |
(Source: Houzz)
A 2024 homeowner survey by Houzz uncovered some interesting home improvement trends surrounding how different age groups fund their property renovation projects:
There are several options available when it comes to funding a house renovation project. You could use cash, remortgage to release funds, take out a secured homeowner loan or use a credit card. It may be worth seeking financial advice before deciding to help find the best solution that is right for you.
Around three-fifths (59%) of UK home renovators hired an electrician in 2023, making them the most popular professional to hire for property refurbishment projects for that year.
This was followed by just over half (52%) who turned to a plumber for professional assistance and around two-fifths (42%) who hired a carpenter or carpet and floor fitter.
According to Hafele’s 2024 Homes for Living Report, around three-fifths (58%) of those living in Wales expect to make home improvements between 2023-25 – the largest percentage across all UK regions.
This is followed by less than half (48%) of homeowners in Yorkshire and the Humber who plan to renovate their home before the end of 2025.
At the other end, less than a third (32%) of Northern Irish respondents outlined plans to refurbish their house between 2023-25, making it the least popular UK region for home improvement projects.
Research by Hafele outlines some interesting home improvement trends for 2025, particularly when it comes to kitchen renovations.
Their 2024 study found that around three in 10 (30%) homeowners living in the East of England plan to get a new kitchen by the end of 2025. This was followed by more than a quarter (26%) from the South West and Wales.
| Region | Percentage of respondents (%) |
|---|---|
| East | 30% |
| South West | 26% |
| Wales | 26% |
| London | 25% |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | 25% |
| West Midlands | 23% |
| South East | 22% |
| Scotland | 21% |
| North West | 20% |
| East Midlands | 20% |
| Northern Ireland | 17% |
| North East | 13% |
(Source: Hafele)
That said, around one in seven (13%) respondents from the North East outlined plans for a new kitchen at some point between 2023-25, making it the least popular UK region for kitchen renovations.
One in four (25%) of those surveyed by Hafele wanted to update their kitchen because they felt the style was outdated, with a similar proportion (23%) stating a desire to improve the quality of the kitchen.
Less than a fifth (19%) of respondents felt their existing kitchen didn’t have enough storage space, while a sixth (16%) felt a new kitchen would increase their property’s value.
Recent home renovation statistics from Hafele show that almost three-quarters (72%) of UK homeowners consider a separate utility room/cupboard one of the most important parts of a kitchen.
This is followed by more than two-thirds (68%) who like having a breakfast cupboard in their kitchen and more than half (55%) who believe a home office is a desirable kitchen feature.
| Feature | Percentage of respondents (%) |
|---|---|
| Entertaining space | 20% |
| Baking station | 18% |
| Home bar | 17% |
| Space for pets | 14% |
| Space to work from home | 14% |
| Second kitchen/spice kitchen | 13% |
| Space for arts and crafts | 10% |
| Exercise space | 10% |
(Source: Hafele)
One in five (20%) of those questioned by Hafele would like an entertaining space in their next kitchen, with a similar percentage expressing a desire for a baking station (18%) or a home bar (17%).
Incidentally, around one in 10 (10%) people would like to have a space for either arts and crafts or exercise when it comes to installing a new kitchen in the future.
When asked what they dislike about their existing kitchen, more than a quarter (28%) of UK homeowners claimed it had insufficient storage – the most popular response.
One in four (25%) felt their kitchen was too small, with just under one in five (19%) stating their worktops were too cluttered.
"If you’re one of the 10% of people who dislike their kitchen because it is poorly lit, then you might like to consider investing in some new blinds, curtains, or shutters for your kitchen windows. Blinds, especially those with adjustable slats (such as Venetian blinds), allow you to control the amount of natural light in your kitchen, reduce glare, and diffuse harsh sunlight. This will help with temperature control and produce a more relaxing environment for you to cook, eat dinner, or whatever else you like to do in your kitchen. For added convenience, consider smart electric blinds, which can be adjusted by voice control, an app or via a smart hub or even remotely to optimise lighting throughout the day, enhancing both functionality and comfort in your kitchen space. Ideal if you're in the middle of cooking or hand deep in a mixing bowl!"
When it comes to a new kitchen, almost a third (31%) of those surveyed by Hafele in 2024 said they would prioritise more storage, with just over a quarter claiming smarter storage and a better layout would take precedence (both 26%).
This was followed by just under a fifth (19%) who felt the quality of the build was the most important factor when choosing a new kitchen.
Almost three-quarters (73%) of UK homeowners who currently have charging points for devices in their kitchen felt it was an important feature to have. Similarly, just over seven in 10 who had a separate utility room/cupboard (72%) or pan drawers (71%) believe these were key features of their kitchen.
Incidentally, a similar percentage (71%) of those who didn’t have a separate utility room/cupboard as of 2024 did feel it was something important to have in a kitchen – the most popular response from this particular group across all kitchen features.
Similarly, two-thirds (66%) of those who didn’t have cutlery inserts in their kitchen felt it was something worthwhile – a sentiment only supported by 63% of homeowners who did have this feature.
| Feature | Percentage of respondents who currently do have them (%) | Percentage of respondents who currently don’t have them (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Integrated appliances | 73% | |
| Breakfast cupboard | 68% | |
| Peninsula | 61% | |
| Open shelving | 59% | |
| Pull out wireworks | 57% | |
| Drawer-fitted appliances (e.g. dishwasher) | 56% | |
| Wine cooler/drinks fridge | 51% | |
| Push-to-open/handleless cupboard drawers | 48% | |
| Pocket/sliding doors that conceal some areas of the kitchen | 48% | |
| Patterned kitchen cabinet doors | 48% |
(Source: Hafele)
For those who had integrated appliances in their kitchen, almost three-quarters (73%) believed these were key features to have, whilst more than two-thirds (68%) with a breakfast cupboard felt this was an important aspect of their kitchen. Those surveyed who didn’t have either of these features at home did not consider them an important part of a kitchen.
Similarly, more than half of those without drawer-fitted appliances (56%) or a wine cooler/drinks fridge (51%) in their kitchen at home believed they would be significant features to have in a kitchen. Yet, of those people who did have these features, neither was considered a significant one to have.
Light grey and white were the most popular kitchen colours in the UK as of 2024, according to market research from Hafele.
Their Homes for Living Report found that around one in six (16%) UK homeowners opted for one of these two colours when choosing a new kitchen, followed by around one in seven (14%) who preferred a beige/cream/cashmere/neutral decoration for their kitchen.
Conversely, yellow was the least preferred kitchen colour of 2024, chosen by just 1% of those surveyed.
Did you know?
According to Pinterest’s 2025 Trends Report, searches for the colour ‘cherry red’ more than tripled (+235%) in January, making it one of the most popular. For more information and practical tips, check out our guide on how to use 2025’s trending colours in your home.
When asked by Hafele in 2024, more than two-fifths of UK homeowners said they would like a walk-in shower (45%) and/or a heated towel rail (43%) in their dream bathroom. A similar proportion (40%) also desired storage to hide products.
Alternatively, the least preferred features of people’s dream bathroom were a Bluetooth mirror to play music and storage to put bathroom products on show – both chosen by around a fifth of respondents (19% vs. 20%, respectively).
Hafele’s 2024 Home for Living Report reveals that the bedroom is a multifunctional space for many UK homeowners.
More than three-fifths (62%) of those surveyed by Hafele mainly use their bedroom for sleeping – the most common response. This was followed by more than two-fifths that use the bedroom to get ready (45%) and/or relax (44%).
More than a third (36%) of respondents use their bedroom primarily for storing clothes, with three in ten having this as a dedicated space for reading and/or watching TV (both 30%).
| Feature | Percentage of respondents (%) |
|---|---|
| Better bed/mattress | 25% |
| Tidier and less clutter | 22% |
| Better temperature | 18% |
| Nicer décor | 16% |
| No tech in the bedroom (e.g. TV, phones, tablets, etc.) | 14% |
| Better lighting at different times of the day | 13% |
| Ability to shut away different parts of my room (e.g. home office, exercise station, etc.) | 12% |
| Less noise from appliances/heating/radiators, etc. | 10% |
(Source: Hafele)
When asked what bedroom features would most likely improve their sleep quality, a quarter (25%) of those questioned by Hafele said they would like a better bed/mattress – the most popular answer.
More than a fifth (22%) felt that having a tidier room with less clutter would benefit the quality of their sleep, with slightly less (18%) of the opinion that better room temperature would enhance their sleep quality.
Just under a fifth (19%) of UK homeowners use the understairs of their property as a cupboard for coats, with a similar proportion (18%) claiming they would like to use this space for this purpose. Both, incidentally, were the most popular responses for both groups of respondents.
| Use | Percentage of respondents who currently use this space (%) | Percentage of respondents who currently would like to use this space (%) |
|---|---|---|
| A cupboard for coats | 19% | 18% |
| Storage for equipment for non-sports related activities (e.g. arts and crafts, baking, etc.) | 18% | 15% |
| Pull-out shoe drawers and/or handbags | 11% | 15% |
| Storage for toys | 11% | 9% |
| Downstairs toilet | 11% | 14% |
| Utility cupboard (e.g. washing machine and/or dryer) | 11% | 13% |
| Bed/space for pets | 7% | 9% |
| Wine/drinks cellar | 7% | 8% |
| Storage for gym/exercise equipment | 6% | 8% |
| Home office/homework station | 6% | 8% |
| Home library/reading room | 6% | 8% |
| Play den for children | 6% | 8% |
| Home bar | 5% | 8% |
(Source: Hafele)
Less than a fifth (18%) of those who currently use their understairs do so as storage for non-sports-related equipment, such as arts and crafts and baking, with around one in six (15%) claiming they would like to use it for this purpose. An identical proportion would also like to have this space for pull-out shoe drawers and/or handbags.
Market research by Hafele reveals several home improvement trends when it comes to utilising the understairs, particularly reasons why people don’t make full use of this space.
Just under a third (32%) of those surveyed in 2024 put this down to cost – the most common response – followed by a fifth (20%) who said other home renovation projects took priority.
Incidentally, a similar percentage (21%) admitted nothing was putting them off turning their understairs into a more useable space.
An interesting home renovation trend emerges when analysing different age groups and their approach to improving their property.
Just over a third (36%) of those aged 18-34 plan to increase their DIY budget in 2025, compared to around a sixth (17%) of homeowners aged 55 and above. This suggests that younger buyers are taking on more homes that require renovation than their older counterparts.
Younger homeowners are also allocating higher overall DIY budgets for 2025, with the average 18-34 property owner planning to spend around £4,000 more than a typical 55+-year-old.
The UK Houzz & Home Renovation Trends Report reveals that more than two-thirds (68%) of homeowners who renovated their property in 2024 were either married/in a civil union with a spouse present in the home.
Around one in seven (13%) UK home renovators surveyed by Houzz in 2024 were living with a significant other/in a domestic partnership, followed by less than a tenth (9%) who were single.
Just over a third (35%) of those who renovated a UK property in 2024 held a bachelor’s degree, with a similar proportion (34%) who had an associate’s degree or less. This means, collectively, around seven in 10 (69%) of the UK home renovation population had some form of undergraduate qualification.
According to market research from Houzz, approximately one in four (26%) of those renovating their home in 2024 possessed a master’s/doctorate.
More than a third of UK home renovators questioned by Houzz in 2024 were from households with an annual income of less than £50,000. An identical percentage also came from those with combined earnings of £50,000 - £99,999.
| Income group | Percentage of respondents (%) |
|---|---|
| Less than £50,000 | 35% |
| £50,000 - £99,999 | 35% |
| £100,000 or more | 30% |
(Source: Houzz)
This means around three in 10 (30%) people who refurbished their home in 2024 had a household income of £100,000 a year or more.
This suggests that those with mid-to-low incomes were slightly more likely to renovate their property in 2024 compared to homeowners from the highest income bracket.
According to UK home renovation statistics from Houzz, just under a fifth (19%) of those who undertook a property refurbishment project in 2024 did so for a house built between 1961 - 1980. This made them the most popular property age for renovation projects in the UK for that year.
This was followed by around one in six (16%) properties from 1851 to 1900 and one in seven (14%) constructed between 1941 and 1960.
Incidentally, homes built before 1600 were the least represented property age in the Houzz survey, occupied by just 1% of home renovation projects completed in 2024.
More than two-fifths (45%) of UK home renovation projects from 2024 were for detached houses – the most common property type to feature for that year.
This was preceded by semi-detached houses, which occupied just over a quarter (27%), and terraced houses, which represented a little over a sixth (17%) of UK house refurbishment projects in 2024.
Of those surveyed by Houzz in 2024, more than half (56%) of UK home renovators did so for properties worth £500 million or more.
| Property value | Percentage of respondents (%) |
|---|---|
| Less than £300,000 | 16% |
| £300,000 - £499,999 | 29% |
| £500,000 or higher | 56% |
(Source: Houzz)
This was followed by less than three in 10 (29%) who renovated a house valued between £300,000 and £499,999, and a sixth (16%) who opted to improve properties worth less than £300,000.
When it comes to starting a house renovation, you should identify what your budget is and make sure this is realistic, as you don’t want to run out of money partway through. If necessary, you should look to secure any funding before beginning any work.
From here, you may find it useful to get the opinion of home renovation experts (unless you feel confident and competent enough to do the work yourself). However, working with certain refurbishments, such as electricity, water, and gas, can be dangerous and require a certified professional. So it's worth checking that you’re following the law and certain building regulations to stay safe during your home renovation project.
When it comes to planning a house renovation, there are several steps you should follow to ensure a successful (and safe) outcome.
Every property renovation project is different, but most should consider the following at some stage:
A home improvement loan is an unsecured personal loan used to help fund improvements to a property, such as an extension, a new kitchen, or interior decorating.
To get a home improvement loan, you’ll have to apply for one with a lender. For this, you’ll need identity documents, such as proof of income, after which your application will be reviewed by the lender alongside your credit history. You should expect an outcome within five working days, but some lenders may let you know instantly.
Once approved, your home improvement loan should arrive in your account within a few working days.
In theory, you can take out a home improvement loan at any time, subject to status. This could apply as soon as you have bought a house (although it may vary between lenders, as some may want to see evidence that you can repay your mortgage first before providing you with a loan).
Each lender will have their terms and conditions, so it’s worth checking and comparing these before making your final decision.
The amount of home improvement loan you can get may vary depending on several factors, such as your income, credit history, and who the lender is (as each will have their terms and conditions). Using a Calculator is a good way to see roughly how much you could afford to borrow and what the monthly repayments are likely to be.
This will also allow you to change variables, such as the loan amount, length of loan, and interest rate, to see the impact it could have on the size of the monthly payments and overall cost.
Home improvement loans can vary in length from one to 10 years, depending on how much you are borrowing.
If you’re looking to buy a house that needs renovation, you can go about this in many ways.
You should start by considering your parameters (such as location and budget) as well as the type of property you wish to work on, the extent of the project, and what the goal is at the end (i.e. selling it for profit, renting it out, living in it, etc.).
Then, it’s about finding the right property for you and all of the above. It’s recommended to do thorough research before making any decision. Within this, you should carefully examine photographs and descriptions of the property to help narrow down your search.
It’s highly recommended to visit any properties in advance to see for yourself how much needs to be done to them. Use this as an opportunity to gather as much information as you can about the property in question before choosing whether to make an offer.
Selling a house that needs renovation can be a tricky task, but there are plenty of buyers out there who are looking for a “fixer-upper” and a bit of a project.
According to Checkatrade, renovating a house could add between 3% and 5% to the property’s value, depending on your buyer’s preference and market dynamics at the time of selling.
There are a few ways to reclaim VAT on a house renovation in the UK, depending on your circumstances.
If you’re converting an existing building into a dwelling, then you may be able to claim a VAT refund using the DIY housebuilders scheme for conversions. Alternatively, if you’re buying a new property, you could be eligible for a VAT refund for new builds.
It’s worth checking the terms and conditions for both of these schemes to see if you’re eligible, what evidence you’ll need to provide as part of an application, and how much you could be entitled to.