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UK home owners would rather improve than move, new research suggests

An overwhelming majority (94%) of UK homeowners would rather spend money improving their current home than sell up and move on, research reveals today.
 
Despite the recent reduction in stamp duty and 0.7% rise in house prices, 49% of the nation’s respondents plan to stay put and renovate in 2015, and are happy to spend over £5,500 doing so. 
 
Indeed 94% would rather spend money and 43% say one of their main reasons for renovation is to make their home look nicer, whereas only 6% cite it for the purpose of selling in 2015.
 
The survey, commissioned by Wooden Blinds Direct, questioned home owners from across the UK on their home improvement spending in 2014 and projected spend in 2015.
 
Regionally there were differences. Just 35% of Scottish home owners are planning a renovation in 2015, with an average £4,576.21 spend. In contrast, South West home owners plan to spend over double this, forking out an average £10,430 for their extensions, decorating and other renovations.
 
The home improvement survey also found that men plan to spend on average £1320.78 more than women on home renovations in 2015 who would spend on average, £6216.52.

Northern Ireland is set to have the biggest increase in home renovation during 2015, rising 173.5% while Wales the biggest drop in home renovation, falling 51.18%.

Some 43% of North East home owners would like to invest in their homes to reduce energy bills, compared to only 17% of Scottish households.

‘The housing market is still volatile and that’s reflected in the results of our survey. People are more concerned with making the house they’re in more comfortable than moving out. Whether that’s by extending and building or even by simply redecorating rooms it’s obviously a much cheaper alternative,’ said Lee Fisher, marketing manager at Wooden Blinds Direct.

Most home owners in the UK would rather spend money improving their current property than moving, new research suggests.

An overwhelming majority (94%) of UK homeowners would rather spend money improving their current home than sell up and move on, research reveals today.
 
Despite the recent reduction in stamp duty and 0.7% rise in house prices, 49% of the nation’s respondents plan to stay put and renovate in 2015, and are happy to spend over £5,500 doing so. 
 
Indeed 94% would rather spend money and 43% say one of their main reasons for renovation is to make their home look nicer, whereas only 6% cite it for the purpose of selling in 2015.
 
The survey, commissioned by Wooden Blinds Direct, questioned home owners from across the UK on their home improvement spending in 2014 and projected spend in 2015.
 
Regionally there were differences. Just 35% of Scottish home owners are planning a renovation in 2015, with an average £4,576.21 spend. In contrast, South West home owners plan to spend over double this, forking out an average £10,430 for their extensions, decorating and other renovations.
 
The home improvement survey also found that men plan to spend on average £1320.78 more than women on home renovations in 2015 who would spend on average, £6216.52.

Northern Ireland is set to have the biggest increase in home renovation during 2015, rising 173.5% while Wales the biggest drop in home renovation, falling 51.18%.

Some 43% of North East home owners would like to invest in their homes to reduce energy bills, compared to only 17% of Scottish households.

‘The housing market is still volatile and that’s reflected in the results of our survey. People are more concerned with making the house they’re in more comfortable than moving out. Whether that’s by extending and building or even by simply redecorating rooms it’s obviously a much cheaper alternative,’ said Lee Fisher, marketing manager at Wooden Blinds Direct.

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