The average Brit needs to spend more than £18,000 and four-and-a-half years working on their home before they can consider it ‘perfect’, a study has found.
Just one in ten people consider their property to be perfect with 55 per cent saying they have a long to-do list of improvements.
Installing a new kitchen and bathroom, laying new carpets or flooring and building a conservatory or an extension are among the top improvements which Brits believe will make their house a home.
Painting and wallpapering, buying new furniture and laying decking or a patio are also among the outstanding jobs for the average British house.
But over 70 per cent worry they will NEVER get their homes to a point where they are completely happy with them because of a lack of time, money and know-how.
John Ogilvie, Managing Director of Network VEKA, the UK’s most-trusted installer network, which commissioned the research, said: “Whether it’s big or small jobs, it’s clear that we’re a nation in need of some serious improvements at home.
“Many tradesmen have a tarnished reputation and are known for being unreliable, the cause of many home improvement blunders and an expensive alternative to DIY.
“However, finding the right one can make the difference between disaster DIY and creating a dream home.”
The study, of 2,000 homeowners, found that the average home needs ten improvements and DIY jobs, with owners estimating these will cost £18,038 to complete.
While 36 per cent reckon just a few minor jobs are needed to make their home perfect, 23 per cent admit it is mostly major work preventing them from having a perfect abode.
More than half worry a lack of money will stop them from ever getting their perfect home, while 28 per cent say it needs a professional touch.
For some, their own partner is the problem – with 41 per cent admitting they often argue with their other half about home improvements or whether to get a professional in.
Other rows erupt over affordability of home improvements, wallpaper designs and what furniture to buy.
The study also found that 15 per cent attempt ALL DIY work themselves, with the average homeowner spending 14 days a year working on a project.
Over half spend an average of 10 hours a month looking at magazines and property websites in search of home inspiration.
But 16 per cent admit they always get a professional in, regardless of how big or small the job is.
One in five call in professionals to put wallpaper up, while another 15 per cent get painters and decorators in.
John Ogilvie added: “Rather than worrying about it and risking a disastrous and possibly expensive mistake, getting in a trusted professional can not only mean the job is completed much quicker, but there is the peace of mind that it will be done to the highest standard required to get towards a perfect home.”
Network VEKA was established 20 years ago and is the UK’s most-trusted installer network.
Top twenty jobs the average Brit wants to do on their home
1. Paint a room/s
2. Refit the kitchen
3. Re-carpet
4. Refit the bathroom/toilet
5. Buy new furniture
6. Landscape or change the garden
7. Wallpaper a room/s
8. Build an extension
9. Convert the loft
10. Build a conservatory
11. Lay decking or patio in the garden
12. Replace internal doors
13. Replace external doors and windows
14. Install energy efficient windows/double glazing
15. Extend the kitchen to make it bigger
16. Replace carpet with laminate flooring
17. Add underfloor heating
18. Install an ensuite
19. Build a walk-in wardrobe
20. Install a downstairs toilet/bathroom
Top ten reasons why our house will never be perfect
1. We’ll never have enough money
2. It needs professional work
3. There will always be something we want to do on our home
4. It’s an ongoing project
5. We don’t have the time
6. The things that need doing are too big/much for us to do
7. We can’t do what we want in our current home so would need to move
8. We don’t plan to stay here forever so it seems pointless trying to get it perfect
9. We’ve always got something else which is a bigger priority
10. We don’t have the motivation to do it anymore