Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
New data from the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) is revealing what projects DIYers across the U.S. are focusing on near the midpoint of the year.
For nearly a decade, HIRI has polled roughly 3,000 homeowner each quarter to understand to understand which of 32 project categories they are planning to undertake in the next three months. Take a look at a few insights from the latest Home Improvement Project Intent Tracking Survey to gain insight into what your customers will need in the months to come.
For more information on home improvement trends, visit HIRI online.
Above all, home improvement projects still have momentum.
For more than two years, more than 7 out of 10 homeowners have planned DIY projects. HIRI points to several factors continuing home improvement traction, including that savings rates have skyrocketed, low interest rates are creating easier access to funds and homebuying is becoming more costly, with demand outpacing supply sharply.
Living spaces are the new focus for DIYers.
HIRI data shows landscaping and painting activity remain popular, but DIYers are increasingly focusing on updating bedrooms, living rooms, dens and specialty rooms. Notably, outdoor recreation areas, like swimming pools, are also seeing project frequency upticks.
There’s a discrepancy between planned and completed DIY projects.
While most DIYers say they enjoy doing projects themselves, only a little more than half of projects are actually planned as DIY. What’s more, DIY work on completed projects has historically been about 66 percent, indicating projects planned to be done professionally often end up either being done DIY or simply not done at all. Creating a list of local service providers can help you inspire customers to get projects completed one way or another.
DIY comfort has a big impact on project planning.
DIY confidence also impacts how many projects homeowners plan to complete, research shows. Homeowners who are more confident in their DIY abilities are planning more projects, even if they are planning to have a pro complete the work.
