UK DIY News
Survey Reveals 75% Of Brits Plan To Spruce Up Their Homes This New Year

- Expert reveals how to stop home renovation turning into a costly DIY disaster
- January is often labelled the gloomiest month of the year, and for good reason.
A recent survey conducted by specialist home insurer Homeprotect revealed that 21 percent of Brits say the most depressing thing about their home during winter is that it feels dark and gloomy due to a lack of natural light. On top of this, endless weather warnings, tight bank accounts and returning to work can all bring on the winter blues.
Yet, for many, it is also time for a fresh start, with 75 percent of respondents admitting they plan to undertake some home renovation projects in the new year.
According to 29 percent of the survey’s respondents, painting one or more rooms a new colour tops the list as a priority when it comes to things they want to do to their home in 2025. This was most true for people in Northern Ireland (41.07%) and 24–34-year-olds (34.56%).
Introducing new colours into your home can be a great way to ditch those January blues, with studies revealing that it can trigger emotional responses due to their effects on the brain and cultural associations. For example, we tend to think of yellow as a happy and warm colour, or green as one that’s relaxing.
Meanwhile, other popular January jobs included doing home maintenance like checking the roof or gutters (21.20%), planting spring bulbs in the garden (19.60%), buying new furniture or homeware in the January sale (15.6%), improving home security (14.40%) and undertaking larger renovations (12.70%).
However, it’s always important to err on the side of caution when considering major home changes.
David Joyson, Chief Customer Officer at Homeprotect shares his top tips to ensure any jobs around the house this January don’t turn into costly DIY disasters or leave you out of pocket…
Seek cover and permission
“Undertaking a DIY project can be a common New Year goal, but this can create issues without the right precautions, which could dampen your spirits even more.
“Alongside classic painting preparation like moving furniture and laying down protective sheets, it’s important to check your insurance policy to know what you are (and aren’t) covered for in case things go wrong – after all, accidents happen!
“Whether it’s a spill on the carpet or a misstep with a tool, having the relevant home insurance cover can help provide peace of mind. For example, spilling paint on your carpet is easily done, but can be expensive to fix. It’s worth bearing in mind that you may not have accidental damage cover as standard within your home insurance policy, however, it is something you can often purchase as an ‘add-on’ – something to consider if you’re a keen DIY-er.
“And if you’re a renter, always ask permission from your landlord before you paint or attempt to install lighting. You should also further protect yourself with tenant liability insurance in case of property damage from any projects.
Leave big projects to professionals
“According to 15 percent of respondents, they lack the funds for any home renovation projects this year. But while you may want to attempt doing them yourself to save money, it’s not worth the risk.
“Larger projects should always be left to a professional. If you want to install a new window to add some brightness or knock through a wall for a bigger room and more light, it’s best to step away from the hammer (and for the latter, check what planning permission or building control signoff you might need!). Some home maintenance tasks such as electrics or plumbing should always be undertaken by a fully qualified professional and in some cases it’s a legal requirement to have a certificate of compliance.
“It’s also important to consider your home insurance when it comes to home improvements – most insurers expect you to properly maintain your home and may ask to see evidence of that if you need to make a claim.
“It’s best to take preventative measures to fix any wear and tear issues and thoroughly research any necessary jobs that need doing. It may be a false economy to do it yourself if it results in an insurance claim where the cause is thought to be poor workmanship, as your insurer may then refuse the claim - and in some cases, DIY for some elements of home maintenance or repair may cause issues down the line when you come to sell your property if you don’t have the necessary compliance paperwork.”
Source : Homeprotect
Image : shutterstock / 234676870 /Monkey Business Images

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