There are plenty of small things you can do around your home that don’t require much money or expertise but can make a big difference.

A home DIY project can yield surprises, even when you have done it several times before. You see, no home renovation task is ever the same so there can always be something that can catch you off-guard, especially if you have not done your research well.

Each one of us is a homeowner that loves to give their imagination and creativity free rein when renovating. We love to make walls disappear, transform the outdoor living space into the living room of our dreams and buy brand new integrated appliances, don’t we? But how much attention do we pay to preparations and organisation?

What kinds of projects are people doing?

Before the Coronavirus pandemic, the most common home renovation projects were kitchen and bathroom remodels. According to data, that kind of work is still very popular, but it is being joined by a new trend of bathroom updates and decking, which reflects pandemic-related lifestyle changes.

Because people are spending more time at home, many are investing in making their homes and properties more multifunctional, and with that need to make sure they're saving where necessary.

How much are people spending?

According to Checkatrade, British homeowners spent on average £2,608 on home improvements last year — £338 more than they did in 2019 and an increase of 15%.

Kitchens and gardens are having the most money invested into them, with an average of £435 on kitchens and £392 being spent on gardens (that’s one expensive gnome) but home offices are seeing the biggest uplift in expenditure year-on-year.

Other practical changes you can make that could save you money

One big thing that came out of 2020 was the government's Green Homes Grant scheme which allows homeowners in England to claim back two-thirds of the costs, up to £5,000, towards home improvements.

Alongside some of the bigger home improvements covered by the grant (such as insulation, double glazing or installing a biomass boiler) there are some smaller things homeowners can do to their home to save money in the long run:  

  • Upgrading your heating system to smart heating
  • Insulating your hot water tank or pipes
  • Installing a smart thermostat, which could help you save money on your energy bill and have more control over your heating
  • Register your new, second hand or old home appliances to ensure when something goes wrong, they can give you a call, it may also save you money by entitling you to an extended warranty too (you can register appliances up to 12 years old at registermyappliance.org.uk)

Whatever home improvements you decide to make this year, may it be big kitchen renovations or updating your appliances, there's lots of maintenance and troubleshooting tips that you can do to keep yours in great condition for longer.

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