Houzz Insights: How Have Renovators Reacted to Covid-19?
A survey of the challenges faced by renovators during Covid-19 reveals demand and activity remains strong
In positive news for the residential design and construction industry, a recent Houzz survey of homeowners reveals that the first wave of Covid-19 lockdowns (from March 2020) didn’t stop renovations going ahead, with minimal disruptions and changes of plan. In fact, enforced time at home is likely to lead to an upswing of home-improvement projects.
The data in this story was sourced from an online survey fielded to Australian Houzz users between 29 June and 6 July.
The data in this story was sourced from an online survey fielded to Australian Houzz users between 29 June and 6 July.
And of the 15 percent who put their project on hold, nearly half felt that their project was not urgent, and could resume at a later date (47 percent).
This was followed by a change of circumstance that limited their ability to pay for the project (37percent).
Some other reasons why projects didn’t go ahead include a shortage of available materials, income and job insecurity, and concern about house prices dropping.
This was followed by a change of circumstance that limited their ability to pay for the project (37percent).
Some other reasons why projects didn’t go ahead include a shortage of available materials, income and job insecurity, and concern about house prices dropping.
Where people continued with their projects, the trades most frequently hired included electricians, carpenters, plumbers and painters.
Turning up the Heat: How Kitchen Designers are Adapting to Change
Turning up the Heat: How Kitchen Designers are Adapting to Change
Enforced confinement at home led many respondents to plan upgrades of their homes for better enjoyment.
Three-quarters of respondents (75 percent) say they are thinking of changes that would help them develop their property. Leading the way in desirability are improvements to the outdoors, kitchens and bathrooms (30 percent, 26 percent and 24 percent, respectively).
Three-quarters of respondents (75 percent) say they are thinking of changes that would help them develop their property. Leading the way in desirability are improvements to the outdoors, kitchens and bathrooms (30 percent, 26 percent and 24 percent, respectively).
During Covid-19, respondents got busy: decluttering and organising (56 percent), and cleaning and tidying up (51 percent) were all popular activities. Surveyed homeowners also reported doing more cooking and baking (47 percent) and, of course, working from home (26 percent).
The survey also uncovered an increasing appetite for qualified professionals.
How Builders are Responding to These Corona Times
How Builders are Responding to These Corona Times
More than four out of five homeowners with ongoing home-improvement projects are working with professionals (86 percent) with many citing the ease of online tools for shopping, invoicing and payments, remote communication and contract approvals as useful ways they are able to move forward with their projects.
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Your turn
What happened to your business during lockdown? Tell us in the Comments below, like this story, save the images, and join the conversation.
More
Want more help for navigating Covid-19 related business challenges? Go to our dedicated section for pros.
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