Everest Research Reveals Most Brits Unhappy With Their Homes

LONDON, July 9, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

• Over 80% of Brits want to change something about their home
• Main reason for home improvement change is to make homes look nicer
• Almost double the number of homeowners than renters want to make changes

New research from Everest Home Improvements reveals that the majority of people in the UK are not happy with their homes. In total 82% of people want to make changes to their property.

The online poll ran on a number of websites and influential blogs following Everest's sponsorship of this year's Ideal Home Show.

Entrants to the survey had to answer questions that included; 'Is there anything you would change about your home?' 'What is the main reason that you would change something about your home?' and 'How much money have you spent on home improvements over the past 12 months?'

The findings offer a fascinating view on the attitudes of the British public to their homes and their overall attitude to home improvement.

Make homes look nicer

The number one reason for undertaking home improvements was the desire to make our homes look nicer.

Almost a third (30%) of respondents said that they want to make their home look better. This is significantly more than the 3% of people who want to make their homes safer.

Make homes more energy efficient

The research also highlighted that 16% of people want to make energy efficient changes to their homes, such as installing double-glazing or solar panels, in order to bring down their utility bills.

The reasons driving the urge for home improvements also included increasing the value of property; 11% of respondents want to do this. Some 13% of people want to improve their standard of living;4% want to make an eco-friendly home and an additional 4% want to fix essential problems to their property.

Women leading the way on home improvement

The Everest research suggests that women are leading the way when it comes to instigating changes; 85% of females want to make home changes compared to 76% of men.

Those aged between 35 and 54 years old are itching for change more than any other age group; 92% of them want to alter their property.

Those least willing to make changes were aged between18 and 34, with 72% of this age group desiring home improvements. This could be because a substantial portion of the age group is renting (36%) and unable to make the desired changes to their property, whereas almost double the number of 35-54 year olds own their property (60%).

Regional differences

The areas of the UK where a desire to make home improvements are most noticeable are the Midlands and Wales. A massive 84% of respondents from these areas want to make changes to their property. 80% of respondents from the South of England want to make changes to their property. Northern Ireland residents are the least likely to alter their property, however, 75% of respondents from this region are still keen to make home improvements.