The annual Renovation Nation Report by the consumer spending experts at money.co.uk has found the average UK homeowner has spent £1,473 on home renovations, furnishing and DIY projects in 2021. What part of the home have UK homeowners spent the most money on? After almost a year of being confined to our homes, it’s perhaps unsurprising that one in five (20%) of UK homeowners have spent the majority of their home improvement money on their garden. Area of the home UK homeowners have spent the most money on Percentage Garden 20% Living room 17% Bedroom 14% Kitchen 14% Bathroom 9% Dining Room 3% Study/office 3% Roof 3% Conservatory 2% Garage/garage conversion 2% Loft/attic 2% Balcony 1% Basement 1% Annexe 1% Our love of gardening has blossomed during and following the pandemic. When asked what home projects they’d invest in if money were no object, a third (32%) of respondents said a garden summer house or work studio and almost a fifth (18%) said a greenhouse or vegetable patch. This green-fingered trend could be seen across the age groups, with the exception of Gen Z who claimed their kitchen was the room they’d spent the most on in 2021, and a home gym would be the top priority if money were no object. Which area of the home would Brits invest in if money were no object? If money was no object, which home projects would you consider investing in, as a direct result of the pandemic, if any?  Area of the home Percentage of respondents Garden summer house/work studio 31.62% Greenhouse/vegetable patch 17.86% Indoor gym 17.21% Leisure room 15.76% Office 12.52% Outdoor/indoor pub or bar 12.07% More walls/rooms for more privacy 8.28% Other, please specify 8.18% Bike storage 7.28% Classroom 3.39% Top home furnishing purchases in 2021 Furniture / Home Accessory Percentage of respondents Lamps/Lighting 41% Cushions 40% Curtains/Blinds 39% Mattress 30% Artwork 29% Sofa/Armchair 28% Bookcases/shelving 28% Bed 28% Vases 27% Clocks 26% Storage cabinet 26% Office chair 24% Top 5 retailers to purchase furniture in 2021 Retailer Percentage of respondents Ikea 27.03% Dunelm 27.03% Next 17.13% The Range 17.13% John Lewis 16.47% How have UK homeowners funded their renovations projects? The majority of UK homeowners have used some form of savings as a way of funding their home improvements, with 20% using money originally intended for holidays. Seven percent of UK homeowners have used funds originally intended to purchase a car, and 5% using cash originally intended for an engagement ring. Why are UK homeowners investing in their properties? While over half of UK homeowners may have cited the pandemic playing a significant role in their decision to dabble with DIY, money.co.uk were also interested in finding out the reason why so many of us are spending time and money on our homes in 2021. Over a quarter (27%) of those asked said that spending less money on going out had given them more money to spend on their homes and over a fifth (22%) cited wanting to increase the value of their home.

Three-quarters (77%) of UK homeowners have invested in their property this year Over half (51%) of UK homeowners said COVID-19 has played a role their decision to invest in their property One in five UK homeowners have spent the majority of their home improvement money on their garden The annual Renovation Nation Report by the consumer spending experts at money.co.uk has found the average UK homeowner has spent £1,473 on home renovations, furnishing and DIY projects this year. What part of the home have UK homeowners spent the most money on? After almost a year of being confined to our homes, it’s perhaps unsurprising that one in five (20%) of UK homeowners have spent the majority of their home improvement money on their garden. Area of the home UK homeowners have spent the most money on Percentage Garden 20% Living room 17% Bedroom 14% Kitchen 14% Bathroom 9% Dining Room 3% Study/office 3% Roof 3% Conservatory 2% Garage/garage conversion 2% Loft/attic 2% Balcony 1% Basement 1% Annexe 1% Our love of gardening has blossomed during and following the pandemic. When asked what home projects they’d invest in if money were no object, a third (32%) of respondents said a garden summer house or work studio and almost a fifth (18%) said a greenhouse or vegetable patch. This green-fingered trend could be seen across the age groups, with the exception of Gen Z who claimed their kitchen was the room they’d spent the most on in 2021, and a home gym would be the top priority if money were no object. Which area of the home would Brits invest in if money were no object? If money was no object, which home projects would you consider investing in, as a direct result of the pandemic, if any?  Area of the home Percentage of respondents Garden summer house/work studio 31.62% Greenhouse/vegetable patch 17.86% Indoor gym 17.21% Leisure room 15.76% Office 12.52% Outdoor/indoor pub or bar 12.07% More walls/rooms for more privacy 8.28% Other, please specify 8.18% Bike storage 7.28% Classroom 3.39% Top home furnishing purchases in 2021 Furniture / Home Accessory Percentage of respondents Lamps/Lighting 41% Cushions 40% Curtains/Blinds 39% Mattress 30% Artwork 29% Sofa/Armchair 28% Bookcases/shelving 28% Bed 28% Vases 27% Clocks 26% Storage cabinet 26% Office chair 24% Top 5 retailers to purchase furniture in 2021 Retailer Percentage of respondents Ikea 27.03% Dunelm 27.03% Next 17.13% The Range 17.13% John Lewis 16.47% How have UK homeowners funded their renovation projects? The majority of UK homeowners have used some form of savings as a way of funding their home improvements, with 20% using money originally intended for holidays. Seven percent of UK homeowners have used funds originally intended to purchase a car, and 5% using cash originally intended for an engagement ring. Why are UK homeowners investing in their properties? While over half of UK homeowners may have cited the pandemic playing a significant role in their decision to dabble with DIY, money.co.uk were also interested in finding out the reason why so many of us are spending time and money on our homes in 2021. Over a quarter (27%) of those asked said that spending less money on going out had given them more money to spend on their homes and over a fifth (22%) cited wanting to increase the value of their home. Salman Haqqi, personal finance expert at money.co.uk comments on the study: “DIY and home renovations was a trend that boomed during the pandemic – a way for many of us to pass the time and spruce up the space we were living in when we were confined to our homes.  “Although restrictions have eased and normal life has almost fully resumed, our research shows that many UK homeowners are still continuing to renovate and invest in their properties. We found that despite a relatively rainy summer, gardens have taken the top spot on many people’s DIY to-do list – which is potentially a long-term knock-on effect of the months in lockdown. “While some renovations like a fresh coat of paint can be relatively cheap, some larger home makeover projects can cost several thousands of pounds. One potential way to finance your home renovation project is by securing a loan. However, it’s important to consider if you can afford the loan, how you intend to repay it and the implications on your credit score if you can’t keep up the repayments.”

Once you’ve decided to make changes to your home, that feeling of excitement will grow and grow until you break ground on your latest project. Home renovation projects have a way of filling grown adults with such glee. There is just something so thrilling about changing or adding rooms in your home – you have to experience it for yourself to understand. As exciting as these extension projects are, there are five things that you need to consider before starting them: 1. How Long It Will Take A typical extension project for your home can take anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months to complete. You must allow for surveying and design time, planning, and drawing time. That doesn’t include the time it will take to get the correct permits or find the best contractor for the job. Home extension projects should never be completed in a rush, take your time to complete the project, or else you might regret it later. Time is one of the important factors you need to consider before embarking on a renovation project. 2. How Much It Will Cost Budgets are a necessary part of any home renovation project, so take the time to decide how much you are prepared to spend to achieve your extension dreams. Be realistic and honest about the money you have available to dedicate to your project. Don’t forget to include VAT into your budget; this will reduce your spending power by around one-sixth of your total budget. VAT costs will be levied against materials as well as all builders’ fees. 3. How Much Value It Will Add Your home extension project needs to make sense for it to work. Don’t add rooms or extensions just for the sake of building on – make sure that your extension project will add value to your property. This is particularly important if you have recently bought a new house by browsing Toronto homes for sale. You might want to extend every room, but something will have to give. You need to weigh up the costs of these projects with how much value they will add to your house. 4. Laws By law, homeowners need to make sure that any new building or extension plans for their property have been approved by the relevant local authorities. These plans differ from place to place so be sure to check in with your local department to ensure that your plans are within the laws of your neighborhood. 5. Neighbors All renovation projects, no matter how well they are planned, will affect your neighbors. You need to ensure that your extension project doesn’t negatively impact their views or cause too much noise. It is the neighborly thing to do, to check in with them before commencing any building work. This might not be an actual law, but it will help you to curry favor with the people that you and your family will have to live next door to for years to come. The easiest way to do this is to let them know your plans, how long they will take, and what impact you can foresee for your neighbors.

The new year brings with it a lot of hope and joy. It is the time of new beginnings for all and it is the time to make improvements happen in life. That is why a lot of people think about new year’s resolutions! A great way to start the new year is also by starting a remodeling project for your home. Maybe you have always thought about it for some time, and this may be a great time to get started! An online home store may be the perfect place to start your remodeling and renovating work. Here are just some of the reasons why a remodeling project can be a great idea. It Will Help You Increase Your Comfort Whether you are changing the light fixtures of your home or remodeling your kitchen completely, it can go a long way in increasing the comfort you feel. Your own comfort and peace of mind matter a lot and that is a good enough reason to get started. And what better time to do so than the new year? To make Your Home Safer It is very important to make your house as safe as possible. Newer improvements may be needed for this to happen and new construction work may have to be planned. This way your home will be safe for everyone. If your home is older, it may require changes and fixes to be made to it. For this, ensuring that you get the right professional building help is important. To Increase The Resale Value Of A House If you have plans to sell your house anytime in the future, then doing remodeling work can help increase its resale value. Buyers love new kitchens and bathrooms and by getting the remodeling project underfoot, you can attract them. Even if you have no plans to sell in the future, keeping an eye on the property market and helping your home be on par with the best is a smart thing to do. Increase The Functionality Of The Home Simple construction projects can increase the functionality of your home. For example, adding a pantry if you don’t have one can make cooking a breeze for you. Going Online In today’s times, when people go online for most things, choosing to shop for your home online can be a great idea. It can be fun and convenient to do so as well. When you choose an online store, make sure that you get all manner of home things easily. From wreaths to cushion covers to curtains, you must be able to lay your hands on things that you can use in your house. Conclusion Remodeling or renovating your house does not need to be a huge project. If you can afford it, then great. If not, there are smaller things you can do to make sure that your home is cozier and more comfortable than before.

Looking to convert your loft and add value to your home? By working with an expert in  loft conversions Essex property owners trust and choosing the right style of conversion, you’re all set for success. How much value can it add? First of all, you are probably wondering how much value a loft conversion could add to your home. It’s a pretty impressive amount, actually! A converted loft can add anything from 10% to 20% to the value of your property. Whether you are planning to sell in the near future or you are going to stay put for a while yet, converting your loft could leave you better off in the long run. Styles of loft conversion If you do decide to convert your loft, it’s important that you choose the right kind of conversion for your property in order to maximise your home’s value. You can take your pick from the following types of loft conversion: • Velux loft conversion: This is the cheapest and least disruptive kind of loft conversion to carry out. If you already have ample space for your needs in your loft, the addition of Velux windows, a sturdy floor and proper stair access will make it a much more welcoming space. • Dormer loft conversion: This style of loft conversion is so popular, and is the one you’re most likely to see in your local area. This type of conversion protrudes from the side of the roof, giving you more head room and floor space. In terms of pricing, they’re somewhere in between a Velux and hip to gable conversion. • Hip to gable: If you want a natural looking extension, then a hip to gable is perfect. This involves building up the gable on the hipped side of the roof – giving the extension its name. It gives you the greatest amount of space out of all the kinds of loft conversion, so could be the best option if that is your top priority. You should also check what kind of roof you have before you proceed. Trusses are supports that run through the cross-section of the loft. If you have those, a loft conversion will require a little more work. What to use it for Another thing to consider is what your loft conversion will be used for – as this can influence how much value it adds to a home. Buyers are keenest on extra bedrooms, with an en suite bathroom adding even more value. A lot people choose to use their loft as a home office or a hobby space, but this can easily be reconfigured and marketed as an extra bedroom when the time comes to sell. A converted loft is such a versatile space, and when you work with an experienced builder, they will be able to marry your vision with adding as much value as possible to your property. Start planning today The sooner you start making plans (including checking whether you need planning permission), the quicker you will be able to boost both the space in your home and its value. So what are you waiting for?

When looking for a new home, there is a lot of pressure. This is where you will live for the foreseeable future. It’s easy to be overwhelmed by the need for it to be perfect.  Find a home comes with a long list of desirables. Everything from location to garden space has to be covered. When it comes to redesigning and making your home yours, the ideas start coming to the surface, and it starts to get really exciting!  While you may envision yourself working on DIY projects and renovating your home yourself, there are some things to look out for before you invest. Here are the essentials before you take the leap: The Size of the Project Before you start looking for a house, decide exactly how much you want to take on. Renovatinos take time and can become costly. After you have worked out the budget for investing, consider your budget for the work that needs to be done to the house. Think about how much time you have on your hands for these projects and whether or not you will take on the work yourself.  Deciding to work on your home is an exciting challenge, however, you have to know that you really can do it yourself. It’s a common mistake to get excited about renovating by yourself while house hunting and then realise it’s not possible. Plan the project out before you invest and include the potential cost of hiring workers too. Should you not have the money to start renovations immediately, think about how long you’ll be willing to wait to make them. If you invest in a home with a tacky bathroom that makes you cringe every time you walk in, you will want to know when you can redesign it. You have to factor in your happiness. Wear and Tear There are so many houses on the market that have potential. With a little vision and some knowledge of what is possible, you could transform down-and-out rooms into a beautiful living space.  Invite someone who is knowledgeable architectural design or construction to analyse what is possible. They will highlight any damage or issues that could result in calling pest control, or worse, further down the line.  Take your time and inspect the wear and tear of the house thoroughly before taking the leap and buying the home. Any hidden damage that you can’t see, could be detectable by someone knowledgeable. This could save on expensive repairs in the future.  Signs of Losing Patience House hunting can be exhausting. Hopping from property to property; seeing locations too far from work or neighbourhoods that don’t meet your requirements. After a while it can get you down. This is when impulse investments are made.  Take a break. Recalibrate and redefine exactly what you are looking for. If you haven’t already, get an estate agent involved. There is no way to peek into the future, but your new home is waiting for you. By taking time to work out how much you can take on, analysing what is possible with renovations, and having patience, you’ll find the home that you are looking for.

Traditionally, a home would be divided into separate living and dining spaces. Today, however, homeowners’ tastes often call for one large, multifunctional space where all of the property’s required amenities for living and dining are integrated. So, could you build an open-plan area like this for your own home? The simple answer is yes – but you would have to navigate a fair few obstacles on your way to realising a combined space that would fit the above-mentioned description while also meeting your own needs. Consider your specific requirements Before you start sourcing supplies for your project, think about what you would personally like it to achieve from a practical point of view. For example, would you like to play music in it? Would you want it to include dedicated storage compartments? The Homes & Gardens website has advice for what you could do in either of these scenarios. You should also order materials based on the space’s intended design – such as by ordering industrial table legs if you are aiming for this kind of look. Look into whether you will need planning permission You could create an open-plan living and dining area by refitting existing space, building an extension or, indeed, doing both. However, your choice will affect what planning permissions, if any, you will need. While propertypriceadvice.co.uk notes that many local authorities allow certain extensions to be built to the rear of a property without any need for planning permission, you should contact your local planning authority before starting any work. Even just removing a wall can require planning permission. Take building regulations into account, too Even if your particular project turns out not to need planning permission, you should heed that all extensions would have to satisfy building regulations. These touch on all aspects of construction – including ventilation, insulation, heating and fire protection. Building regulations approval can be obtained by making a full plans application if you are set on substantial redesigns or by submitting a building notice application if the works will be minor. Figure out when to seek professional assistance For example, if your project will include a complicated extension, you might need to hire an architect who could help you with matters such as design and technical drawings. Meanwhile, if the dining part of your open-plan space is set to incorporate a kitchen, you should get in touch with a kitchen designer – ideally early in the project to help prevent time-consuming revisions later. Let natural light shine through where possible Accommodating sunlight in this way can help enhance the brightness and airiness of your new space. Fortunately, there are various daylight-enhancing measures you could take for it – such as installing glazing and a lengthy row of bi-fold or sliding doors. Alas, even after you have done all of this, sunlight could struggle to reach those parts of the space furthest from the glass – in which case, you could seriously consider adding roof lights or a roof lantern if either option would be practical in your particular situation.

Building your first home is a big undertaking. It can be stressful and overwhelming, but there are many things you should keep in mind during the process to make it easier for yourself! This article includes ten tips on everything from making sure you have enough money saved up to interviewing contractors. We hope these helpful hints will help you build your dream home without all the headaches! 1 Time Frame As a rule of thumb, the sooner you start saving up for your home-building project, the better. Some people wait until their current mortgage expires before buying another house or construction on an existing property. Unfortunately, this is not always possible due to time constraints and other factors such as financial restrictions. Plan ahead! Figure out how much money you will need at what point in time so that when it comes down to building your dream abode, there are no surprises. The longer it takes for someone who wants to build their own home from scratch while juggling work and family commitments (or any other life responsibilities) can be difficult if he does not plan well in advance. Save enough money over time or have some other source of income. 2 Planning is Vital Planning is vital when building a house. The person who will be in charge of the finances needs to make sure that there are enough funds saved up for the entire project since it can take years and cost tens or even hundreds of thousands of dollars depending on design, materials used (stick-built vs modular), location, size etc. A good plan also includes drawing out floor plans so progress can be tracked more efficiently. It’s important not to wing this process! In addition, if you have time constraints such as work obligations or family commitments, then planning heavily upfront is recommended – set aside some money over time or have another source of income coming in while you build your dream abode. This way, everything doesn’t get pushed back, and you have a better chance of creating the home that best fits your needs. 3 Find the Perfect Lot  Finding a lot that’s perfect for you might sound like an easy task. But, it can be if you know how to look. Whether it’s on the internet or in person, there are a few key things you should keep in mind. These factors might seem minor when it comes to picking out a home, but they can make all the difference. It’s always better to be safe than sorry! 4 Design With Costs In Mind One of the most important things to consider when designing your new home is how much it will cost. Knowing what you can afford and sticking to that budget might seem like an easy task, but sometimes people fall into a trap where they think square footage equals more value for their money. Unfortunately, this isn’t always true! There are plenty of factors that need to be considered before making this mistake, so make sure you know all about construction costs vs purchase prices, not just upfront expenditure costs, financing fees and taxes. You don’t want any nasty surprises on moving day! The decision to build or buy should never be taken lightly and takes time-consuming research from both ends of the spectrum (buying/building). What’s right for one person might not be the best choice for another. The decision will affect you and your family in various ways, so make sure to consider all aspects before making i 5 Plan for Storage  6 Secure Financing  If you haven’t had much luck securing a mortgage before, this might be the time to give it another try. The lending landscape is very different now, and there are so many financing options available for new homeowners looking to buy their first home. These include traditional mortgages from banks or credit unions; loans backed by government programs like FHA or VA; down payment assistance (e.g., “first-time buyer” grants). In addition, low interest rates on personal loans through online lenders; financial planning services help people budget more effectively and get out of debt faster. Of course, you should also calculate the mortgage to ensure your all-around calculations are correct.  Planning how you’re going to finance the purchase of your first home is an essential step in saving up for a downpayment. There are many options available, and it’s worth exploring them all before making any decisions. For instance, if you have a good credit score or income, securing financing from traditional banks or credit unions may be an option. On the other hand, if you don’t qualify for these mortgages because of bad credit, lack of employment history, etc., government-backed loans like FHA and VA may provide more favourable terms. Or there are even financial preparation services that help people budget more efficiently to get out of debt faster – which also helps save money at the same time! 7 Keep Your Future In Mind  It’s easy to get caught up in the present and forget about what might happen tomorrow. But it’s important not to neglect your future self when building a new home. How you design your living space now will likely affect how comfortable you are later on, whether through temperature control or ease of access, etc. It can be helpful for homeowners to consider their lifestyle and habits (e.g., if they’re going to work from home) before designing their dream house! All these factors should be considered since they’ll determine which material would best suit your needs- wood vs vinyl flooring, tile or marble countertops, hillside properties with plenty of trees around them or city dwellings with sidewalks nearby? 8 Use Quality Materials  It’s always tempting to save money by skimping out on materials and construction quality, but this is a mistake. You’ll eventually spend more in the long run when you have to fix structural flaws, replace cheap fixtures or appliances, etc., which can be very costly. This