Report: Remodeling Homeowners Finding Joy in DIY

Whether it’s because they’re young and tight on cash or love the sense of accomplishment, the majority of homeowners are taking remodeling projects into their own hands, according to a recent report from the National Association of REALTORS®.

The 2019 “Remodeling Impact Report: DIY” reveals that homeowners who want to add a personal touch to their homes are opting to do it themselves over hiring a professional, especially millennials. Respondents reported a “Joy Score” of 9.9 for projects they completed themselves compared to a score of 9.6 for those completed by a professional. Understandably, 97 percent of DIYers enjoyed a sense of accomplishment upon completing their project, compared to just 93 percent of those who enlisted the help of a professional.

Why are DIYers embarking on remodeling projects in the first place? The reasons broke down as follows:

- Increase functionality and/or livability of their home: 35 percent
- Increase the home’s beauty and aesthetics: 19 percent
- Adding durable and long-lasting materials and appliances: 15 percent and 18 percent

Interestingly, projects that were designed to add personality to a home were twice as popular among DIYers than among those hiring a professional (10 percent and 5 percent, respectively).

Not surprisingly, the choice to DIY was greater among the younger generations: nearly three-fourths of Gen Y and millennial consumers (73 percent), over half of Gen X (51 percent) and 50 percent of younger boomers choose to DIY home projects, while 70 percent of the silent generation indicated that they hired a professional to complete their project.

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