2020 has been the year have staycations, working from home and for some – feeling a little bit trapped in their 4 walls. It’s made some people re-assess and ask themselves – does their home, work for them?
Some people have chosen to put their up for sale, hankering after a garden, more space and for many the need for a home office.
However, many others have opted to stay and improve their home and even extended the space, after all under permitted building rights, it has become a lot easier to extend a home without the need for planning permission!
Builders are snowed under. It has been reported that their workloads have increased by 47% this Summer. There are roofers locally who now already having to book jobs into next year. It took us several phone calls to find a plasterer that could fit us for our new office at short notice!
On average, UK homeowners spend £48 billion a year doing up their homes. With a surge in people moving homes (they also call people in to adapt their new homes), online planning applications and builder demand, the 2020 spend may be higher.
When you take a look at the planning portals, the top five common projects this year have been, extensions (74%), porches (9%), loft conversions (7%), conservatories (7%) and outbuildings (3%). We suspect the need for a home office is behind many of these applications.
For those who are looking at ways to improve the value of their home, the 10 home improvements you can do are redecorating, kitchen makeover, adding or updating bathrooms, garden appeal, double glazing, open-plan space, new doors, loft conversions, creating a driveway and avoiding over personalisation.
What home improvements have you made this Summer? Michelle and John decided to make their carport into a garage and alter the front garden. Josh created an outdoor sitting area in his yard and a home bar in his dining room. Cassie had her attic room plastered and decorated to create an additional bedroom. Graham had a garden makeover. David decided to move as he needed more space. Jody had her bathroom replaced!
The JDG team have also been busy, plus their biggest project is the transformation of the new office – this has involved plasterers, decorators, electricians, kitchen fitters and carper fitters!
We wonder will 2020 spend for improvements be higher than £48 billion this year!
If you are thinking of moving or simply want advice on what you can do to improve the value of your home, please get in touch. We are shortly introducing our own handyman services to help local homeowners and landlords with those smaller jobs around the home.
Call us on 01524 843322.
Thanks for reading
Michelle