Tradesmen predict business uplift in 2011

More than 60% of people say they'll be making changes to their home this year, according to the latest Wickes Home Improvement Report.

The poll of 2,000 UK homeowners also revealed that of the 61% planning to do a bit of DIY, 63% would be making aesthetic changes through painting and decorating.

Two-thirds of respondents said they gave their homes a face-lift with a lick of paint last year, while 29% overhauled their gardens. The main reason given for these updates was for cosmetic purposes, with 66% choosing this reason over 9% who were preparing their home for a sale, indicating the 'improve don't move' trend is still strong.

And there's good news for the trade, with 20% of homeowners admitting to a botched DIY job, and more than a third of those calling in a professional to correct it.

Wickes also surveyed 1,000 tradespeople across the UK, revealing that a third of British tradesmen are predicting an increase in business this year compared with 2010.

Despite more than half witnessing a marked decline in their volume of work last year, 33% believe they will see an uplift in 2011, while 32% predict business levels will remain the same.

Of the 54% who experienced a drop in work last year, 87% attributed the decline to the recession, with rising numbers of homeowners choosing to take on tasks themselves to save money.

Source : DIY Week.net