UK DIY News

Study Reveals Cost Of Perfecting A New Home

It takes an estimated £26,000 of renovations to achieve the ‘perfect’ home after moving in, according to a new study.

Research polling 2,000 adults found just 38 per cent consider their property to be perfect – and were completely happy with their abode by the age of 43.

Renovating the kitchen had the biggest impact on achieving the perfect place (42 per cent), followed by a living room makeover (32 per cent) and a new bathroom (26 per cent).

Other changes people made to get their home just as they wanted it were re-tiling the bathroom (39 per cent), installing new windows (37 per cent) and replacing the front door (40 per cent).

A further 34 per cent landscaped the garden.

The study commissioned by glass specialist, Pilkington United Kingdom, also revealed that of those who have their perfect home, 48 per cent said they will never move again.

But it also emerged that it took an average of five years after moving in before homeowners felt their place was just right.

Julia Berkin, from Pilkington United Kingdom, said: “The research proves it’s all of the little changes which make a big difference to a property.

“Why move when you can improve? It’s clearly worth the patience, the outgoings and even the disagreements to live in your dream home as a result.

“The list of things people did to their properties in order to achieve the perfect place vary from decorating and extending to letting more light in by adding windows and opening up rooms.

“It’s interesting to see how people are adapting their homes, especially given the amount of time we’re spending in them currently while they double up as workspaces.”

The research also found more than a quarter replaced all the interior doors to improve their abode and make homes feel lighter and more open plan, while a fifth extended the property and 14 per cent added a conservatory or orangery.

When it comes to what makes the perfect home, two thirds (66 per cent) said that it is ‘very important’ to have lots of natural light.

As a result, 12 per cent even installed additional windows, while 35 per cent added double glazing.

But 33 per cent named a lack of money as one of the barriers to overcome in order to be able to create the perfect home, while others blamed planning permission difficulties (16 per cent) and even disagreements with the other half (15 per cent).

It also emerged that of the 62 per cent who are yet to achieve their ‘perfect’ home – an eighth think they will achieve it and are currently working on it, while 17 per cent are in the planning process.

The study also found that when it comes to inspiration, a quarter of homeowners turn to TV shows, while 16 per cent browse online.

Almost one in five (19 per cent) even scroll through estate agent websites to inspire their renovation projects.

Top 30 things homeowners did to achieve their perfect home:

1. Re-painted interior rooms
2. Installed a new bathroom
3. A new front door
4. Re-tiled the bathroom
5. Got rid of old wall paper
6. Changed the lighting
7. Installed new windows
8. Installed double glazed windows
9. Landscaped garden
10. A new heating system
11. New flooring throughout the house
12. Re-painted the exterior of the house
13. New interior doors
14. Enclosed the garden for privacy
15. Built an extension
16. Installed a fireplace / wood burner
17. Converted a bedroom to a home office
18. Created an open plan kitchen/diner
19. Installed a greenhouse / potting shed
20. Knocked down an interior wall to open up space
21. Added decking to the garden
22. Built a conservatory/orangery
23. Added a utility room separate from the kitchen
24. Installed extra windows for more natural light
25. Loft conversion
26. Added Velux skylight windows
27. Exposed the natural floorboards
28. Added an en-suite
29. Converted the garage to a room
30. Added a rainforest-style shower