Discover the latest home improvement trends. From renovations to DIY jobs, here’s how Aussie homeowners are turning houses into homes.
hipages home improvement trends report taps into how Aussies are prioritising their renovation spending and which home improvement projects they’re tackling.
With a new job posted every 25 seconds on average, hipages is the #1 place to connect with tradies to simplify home improvement.
With the cost of living at an all-time high, finances are a huge factor when it comes to doing renovations and repair jobs at home. Knowing your budget is often the first step a homeowner takes when embarking on a new project around the home.
However, a new national survey of homeowners has revealed our expectations, often don’t meet reality.
91%
Homeowners claim they usually have a budget in mind for a job around the house
79%
Homeowners have blown their budgets
6%
Homeowners say their budget expectations have been correct
53%
spoke to other homeowners who have completed similar work for a sense-check
42%
estimated the cost of a job based on previous experience
16%
have spoken with a tradie to help inform their budget
While most homeowners agree that a quote from a tradie is often more expensive than their original budget
20%
half of homeowners (50%) say they have undershot it by up to 20%
50%
increasing to 50% for a quarter of respondants
45%
surprise
43%
frustration
42%
annoyance
However, another 14% simply feel uninformed.
75%
homeowners will look for an alternative quote to verify the cost of a project and see if they can get it done cheaper
29%
will put off the work to get it done later down the line
26%
will speak with their tradies on options to getting a job done cheaper such as looking at revised timelines and alternative materials
About the research
Commissioned by hipages Group in conjunction with Thrive Insights, the research was conducted online in March 2024. Findings are based on a sample of over 800 Australian homeowners aged 30+ years across all states and territories.
Inspired by our have-a-go mentality, Australia is a nation of DIY-ers with millions of homeowners willing to get their hands dirty to complete jobs around the house.
However, a new national survey of homeowners has revealed these projects don’t always go to plan.
43%
Aussie homeowners have admitted to attempting a DIY job, only for it to go wrong
41%
Homeowners say the bathroom is the most likely room in the house for a DIY disaster, followed closely by the kitchen at 32%
Attempting to fix roof tiles. Didn't seal properly and leaked into a skylight that then leaked into interior roof space. Had to replace half of living room ceiling.
Changing a tap washer and having water squirt in my face.
Laying carpet tiles on the bathroom - the door clearance was not enough So in needed to increase the clearance between the floor tiles and the door. Apparently cutting some off the top of the door does not increase the clearance ?????
Fixing the bathroom. Far too big a task for me to complete. It was wishful thinking.
I tried to hang my dryer on the wall above the washing machine, which i did. I walked out shut the door and then heard a bang. it fell off and bounced of the lid of the washing machine.
Failure to patch holes and paint over them in the lounge room. From certain angles you can see the shoddy work.
Paving out the back under our verandah. The pavers sunk as I obviously hadn't prepared well enough underneath. Left it for years like that before getting it professionally fixed.
1
Painting (43%)
2
Landscaping and gardening (33%)
3
Plumbing-related jobs such as unclogging pipes or fixing leaky taps (26%)
4
Cabinetry related such as fixing or installing drawers, wardrobes, and doors (21%)
5
Tiling jobs such as installing new tiles in the kitchen or bathroom (18%)
Say they attempted DIY to keep costs and budgets down on a project
Feel that DIY is more expensive in the long run
The average cost of repairs for a DIY disaster is up to $500 – adding a massive hit on top of the original cost of the job.
42%
are annoyed they wasted so much time
30%
are embarrassed at their lack of knowledge and ability
28%
are annoyed they spent so much money, just to go to waste
Fixed their DIY mistakes themselves, 33% called in a tradie to get the job done right
Are still living with their mistakes while another 14% tried to fix them and made it even worse
The vast majority of Aussies, 86% say they’ll bring in a qualified tradies next time they need a job done around the house
I would say painting is a fairly huge job, especially the whole house on the inside. Last time it needed it, i got a professional painter in - the job was sooo much better
About the research
Commissioned by hipages Group in conjunction with Thrive Insights, the research was conducted online in March 2024. Findings are based on a sample of over 800 Australian homeowners aged 30+ years across all states and territories.
