75% of Americans Attempt DIY Projects

Do-it-yourself projects rose to 81% during the pandemic, but are people still taking home maintenance into their own hands?  

The answer is yes, according to a recent survey by Ruby Home Luxury Real Estate, which found that 75% of homeowners attempt DIY projects. They remain a popular way to get home repairs done on a budget, which is the top reason for doing DIYs (72%). Other common reasons include having spare time/being bored, DIYs seeming fun and to learn a new skill.  

The top priority for DIYers across all generations is using high-quality products, with 79% rating it as their biggest concern. Ease of use and cost are also important (49% each).  

Ruby Home found that the most popular DIY projects recently have been: 

1. Home interior (painting, flooring, décor) 
2. Landscaping 
3. Living space (living room, bedroom, office) 
4. Closet/storage 
5. Maintenance (gutters, dryer vents) 

And the top DIY-related products purchased were: 

1. Lawn and garden products 
2. Hardware 
3. Paint and paint supplies 
4. Lighting and lighting accessories 
5. Hand or power tools 

Cost-wise, respondents said their DIY projects typically run between $2,000 and $5,000. But how much do these hands-on projects really save? The top projects with the most savings according to mean costs were: 

1. Kitchen addition ($32,720)
2. Bedroom addition/renovation ($29,947) 
3. Rec room addition/renovation ($11,720) 
4. Kitchen remodel ($10,453) 
5. Bathroom remodeling ($6,773)