Hardware Retailing The Industry's Source for Insights and Information
Since March, The Farnsworth Group and the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) have collected data on DIYers’ and contractors’ home improvement sentiments during COVID-19. The complete report for the organizations’ Weekly COVID-19 Tracker reveals home improvement is on the minds of many DIYers.
The organizations also studied how the pandemic is affecting contractors. Learn more about their findings and how COVID-19 is changing business for pro contractors.
DIYers are undertaking more projects.
One of the key barometers of the weekly report was the question ‘Have you started any DIY projects in or around your home in the last week?’ On March 23, 60 percent of DIYers say they had begun a home improvement project. The figure peaked on May 25 at 74 percent, and by June 1 was at 72 percent.
On May 18, 84 percent of DIYers say COVID-19 had a direct impact on their decision to undertake home improvement projects.
Brick and mortar matters during COVID-19.
By June 1, nearly 90 percent of DIYers who began home improvement projects during COVID-19 purchased products in store. More than 10 percent purchased products online and picked them up at a store, illustrating the importance of a brick-and-mortar presence even as overall retail sales fell.
Painting remains popular for DIYers.
When The Farnsworth Group and HIRI’s weekly tracker began in March, painting a room or exterior was the most popular home improvement project. On May 4, landscaping became the most popular DIY task. For the final week of the report, more than 50 percent of DIYers plan to undertake lawn maintenance, followed closely by painting a room or exterior.
Money is a deciding factor for DIY projects.
The Farnsworth Group and HIRI asked DIYers each month what factors were causing them to not start a DIY project. Each month, the biggest DIY impediment was a concern about money and finances.
For more information on how COVID-19 is affecting home improvement, check out The Farnsworth Group and HIRI online.
