94% of Homeowners Planning to DIY This Year

The majority (94%) of homeowners surveyed by 2-10 Home Buyers Warranty said they had DIY projects planned for this year. 

DIY Projects by Type 

Of those, 87% said they were planning cosmetic projects, with the top rooms being: 

1. Bathroom (39%) 
2. Kitchen (37%) 
3. Living/family room (36%) 

The average budget was $2,771, with an average project timeline of about three weeks. 

Additionally, 39% said they were planning major structural projects. For these, respondents said the top areas undergoing renovations were: 

1. Kitchen (44%) 
2. Bathroom (40%) 
3. Outdoors (32%) 

The average budget for major structural projects was $5,933, with an average timeline of five weeks. And it’s not all DIY – 50% of respondents said they planned to hire professionals to help.  

AI in DIY 

Sixty-one percent said they were inspired by social media to do more DIY projects, and 26% said they’re now turning to AI for help (although over 1 in 4 said they encountered issues with using AI during the DIY process). The top ways included: 

1. Visualizing outcomes (67%) 
2. Generate design ideas (59%) 
3. Get step-by-step instructions (47%) 

Saving Money 

Overall, 62% said the best part of DIY is the money saved, and 61% said they do DIY projects because they can’t afford to hire professionals. 

Those making under $20,000 reported doing the most DIY projects (80%), followed by the $20,000-$40,000 income bracket (77%) and the $40,000-$60,000 income bracket (67%). 

The Ups and Downs of DIY 

DIY projects build confidence and provide a sense of control, according to 87% and 92% of respondents, respectively. Eighty-one percent said they enjoy doing DIY projects, while 71% consider themselves handy.  

The hardest parts of DIY: 

1. Saving money (23%) 
2. Finding the time (23%) (tie) 
3. Deciding when to hire contractors (16%) 

The scariest parts: 

1. Demolition (38%) 
2. Tile installation (19%) 
3. New fixtures (15%)