The 2025 UK Houzz & Home Study, which surveyed over 1,000 UK respondents, found that median renovation spend rose by 26% compared to the previous year (£17,000 in 2023). Among the top 10% of spenders, renovation budgets reached as high as £169,000.
A significant portion of homeowners undertaking renovations live in properties built before 1940 (53%), which has led to a focus on maintenance and essential system upgrades. In 2024, 39% of homeowners reported carrying out general repairs. Among those who renovated, the most common upgrades were to heating (43%), plumbing (42%), and electrical systems (39%).
Looking ahead, renovation activity is expected to continue through 2025. Sixty percent of respondents plan to redecorate, and 49% intend to carry out further renovations - similar to figures reported in 2023 (59% and 49%, respectively).
Most homeowners (94%) chose to hire professionals for their renovation projects, regardless of the scale. Electricians (59%) and plumbers (56%) were the most commonly used trades. Demand for cabinetry specialists rose by 8 percentage points to 27%, while the hiring of painters (41%), roofers (31%), and architects (25%) also increased. Many homeowners also worked with builders, interior designers, and design-and-build firms.
A majority of homeowners renovating in 2024 did so with a long-term view: 61% said they plan to remain in their homes for at least 11 years. The most common reason for undertaking work was delayed demand, with homeowners stating they now had the financial resources (36%) or time (33%) to complete a renovation.
Most homeowners funded their renovations using savings (83%), followed by money from the sale of a previous property (20%) and credit cards (13%). The use of inheritance or gifts rose slightly to 12% (up from 9% in 2023), while reliance on credit cards declined by five percentage points compared to last year (18% in 2023).
Changes to entrance areas saw modest increases. In 2024, 32% of homeowners redecorated their existing entrance or utility space, 24% carried out upgrades or full renovations, and 7% added or extended the entrance itself (up from 29%, 20%, and 4% in 2023, respectively).
Half of homeowners made improvements to their outdoor areas in 2024. Aesthetic projects remained common, but many also made functional changes. Popular improvements included work on planting beds and borders (29%), outdoor lighting (23%), and security systems (16%). Structural work such as sheds or workshops (17%), gazebos or pergolas (11%), and decking (9%) were also reported. Built-in outdoor kitchens remain relatively rare at 3%, but have seen a small rise from 2% last year.
“While rising costs for goods and services are influencing renovation spend, activity remains stable,” said Marine Sargsyan, staff economist at Houzz. “With almost half of homeowners planning renovations, it suggests that the need to update ageing housing stock continues to fuel demand for home improvements.”
