The Renovate Reader
For every person that builds a new home in Ireland every year at least ten more decide to renovate an existing property and turn it into their dream home.
As property prices seem to be on an ever increasing hike and with the abolition of the first time buyer’s grant, more and more people are choosing to invest in their existing property or to take a chance on a “real find” and are taking the renovation route. The renovate reader is anyone who is either thinking about taking the plunge or is knee deep in plans, power tools and paint.
THE STATS: (The House and Home Reader)
Gender
Female 87% Male 13%
| Age profile |
| Under 25 |
6% |
| 25-35 |
47% |
| 35-45 |
31% |
| 45-55 |
14% |
| 55 |
+ 2% |
• 18% of House and Home readers own more than one property.
• 76% of adults on the island of Ireland - 3.8 million people - own their home outright or are currently repaying a mortgage. Of these, 43% say they are 'always' looking for new ideas to improve their home.
• These "home improvers" are more likely to be women (who make up 58% of the group) and more likely to be aged 55-64 (index 127) - generally speaking, the age group with the most time and disposable income.
• 370,000 people (7% of all adults) are planning to make major home improvements in the next 12 months. The key Lifestage groups are Unconstrained Couples (87% more likely), Playschool Parents (51% more likely), and Primary School Parents (38% more likely).
• Rather than move, many people are now considering extending or refurbishing their home. Last year 100,000 home owners purchased a conservatory, loft conversion or extension. Currently, 59% of home-owners take positive steps to reduce the amount of energy they use, up from 55% in 2008.
• On a smaller scale, 50% of home-owners consider themselves to be good at fixing things (58% of men, 42% of women); in contrast, 41% only do DIY if they 'absolutely have to'.
• The type of DIY undertaken varies by Lifestage. Playschool Parents are the group most likely to lay a patio or decking (index 148), while Primary School Parents are the group most likely to put up shelves (157).
• The average home-owner spent €345 on materials for DIY in the past 12 months. A select group - 150,000 people - spent more than €1350.
• Just under half of home-owners agree that magazines give them ideas for how to improve their home. 59% of women think so, compared to 38% of men.
• 82% of home-owners have a garden. Almost 40% of home-owners bought weedkiller, 36% bought plants / shrubs or trees and 35% bought bulbs. Half of home-owners say they 'get a good deal of pleasure' from their garden.
Source: Republic of Ireland TGI & Northern Ireland TGI 2010 (combined dataset)
