Importance Score: 25 / 100 🔵
Demand for Home Improvement Services Sees Mixed Performance
Interest in significant home improvement projects experienced an upswing in the recent quarter, according to new data released by Checkatrade. The figures highlight a resurgence in demand for kitchen fittings, bathroom renovations and structural modifications, indicating renewed homeowner investment in their properties. While quarterly results demonstrated strength, the platform noted a varied landscape when comparing year-on-year performance.
Quarterly Increases in Home Improvement Enquiries
The data reveals positive momentum in several key areas:
- Bathroom Fittings: Enquiries for bathroom installations through Checkatrade tradespeople saw a 17% increase compared to the previous quarter.
- Kitchen Fittings: Interest in kitchen renovations surged by 11% quarter-on-quarter.
- Extensions and Structural Work: Queries related to larger-scale projects such as extensions and structural modifications also rose by 17%.
Year-on-Year Performance: A More Cautious Outlook
While the quarterly figures are encouraging, the annual perspective presents a more complex picture:
- Bathroom Fittings: Despite the quarterly rise, bathroom fitting enquiries were down 9% year-on-year.
- Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs): Enquiries for EPCs witnessed a significant surge of 151% year-on-year.
- Waste Removal and Cleaning Services: Demand for these services also experienced a notable increase.
Factors Driving the Upturn in Home Improvement Projects
Checkatrade’s analysis points to several factors influencing the increased demand for home upgrades:
- Seasonal Trends: The first quarter often sees an uptick in home improvement activity due to seasonal factors.
- Falling Prices: A decrease in the average cost of building jobs may be incentivizing homeowners to proceed with planned projects.
- Increased Home Sales: More individuals preparing to sell their homes are investing in improvements to enhance property value.
Decline in Average Project Costs
The average cost of a building job in the quarter decreased to £12,065, a 14% reduction compared to £13,964 during the same period last year. Kitchen fitting costs also experienced a significant drop, falling by a fifth from £7,509 to £6,093.
Checkatrade highlighted further cost reductions:
- Building jobs: down 28% year-on-year
- Kitchen fittings: down 14% year-on-year
- Bricklaying: down 14% year-on-year
- Electrician costs: down 24% year-on-year
- Plumbing costs: down 17% year-on-year
Stable Interest in Architectural Services and Home Heating
Enquiries for architectural services and home heating solutions remained consistent with the previous year, showing no significant increase or decrease.
Checkatrade’s Commitment to Quality and Vetting
In July 2024, Checkatrade reported blocking a record 668 tradespeople for failing to meet its standards, a 13% increase year-on-year. The company’s rigorous 12-point vetting process ensures that only qualified and reputable tradespeople are listed on its platform. Roofing services were identified as the most challenging area, with roofers comprising 19% of rejected applicants.
The importance of using reputable tradespeople is underscored by data from the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy, which estimates that unscrupulous traders cost homeowners approximately £1.4 billion annually.
Earlier in the year, Checkatrade revealed that it had barred over 1,300 applicants from joining Checkatrade in 2024, reinforcing its dedication to maintaining high standards within the home renovation industry.