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Two thirds of women wish they could do more DIY but lack the skills

7th November 2014 Print

Following news last week that Homebase is to close a quarter of its stores due to a 'rise of a generation less skilled in DIY projects', a new report from Solvite finds that women at least want to do more DIY - but they just don't know how to.

Although two-thirds of men still do most of the DIY at home, 61% of women say they wish they could do more DIY at home - indicating that they lack the skills but not the motivation to fix things around the home.

The report, launched to celebrate Solvite's 50th anniversary this year, also found that:

A third of people in their 50s are unsympathetic to first time homeowners today.

Over a quarter of people of first time buyer age (26%) expect to take 6-10 years to save enough money for a deposit

Men are more arrogant than women when it comes to how they feel their taste in décor compares with their friends

Solvite 50th Anniversary Report:

British Attitudes to Home Ownership, DIY and Decorating in 2014

Wallpapering solutions brand Solvite has lifted the lid on the nation’s attitudes to home ownership, DIY and home decorating in 2014. The report’s findings are based on a survey of 1,000+ young people of first time buyer age, and 1,000+ adults in their fifties who are already homeowners. It was commissioned by Solvite to uncover differences in attitude towards homes and DIY between these two age groups.

Among the findings, the report uncovers that:

A third of people in their 50s are unsympathetic to first time homeowners today

Men are more arrogant than women when it comes to how they feel their taste in décor compares with their friends

Two-thirds of women say they wish they could do more DIY at home

Kirsty Allsopp is Britain’s most admired celebrity when it comes to homes and interiors

The sections below set out the most interesting findings from the report:

Home Ownership

While many people in their fifties are sympathetic to the plight of first time buyers, a large proportion are not. A third of people in their 50s are unsympathetic to first time homeowners today – 28% agree that first time buyers don’t want to buy a property as much as they did when they were buying their first home.

Solvite’s research finds that The Bank of Mum and Dad is very much alive – a quarter of people of first time buyer age expect their parents to foot the bill for the deposit on their first home.

The research also highlights the difficulties that young first time buyers face when it comes to acquiring their first home. Over a quarter of people of first time buyer age (26%) expect to take 6-10 years to save enough money for a deposit and the situation is worst for people living in the South-East – a quarter (24%) feel it will take them over a decade to save enough for a deposit, vs. 16% nationally.

A fifth of people in the East Midlands and South East face selling possessions to be able to afford their deposit.

People in their 50s feel the government is not doing enough to help first time buyers – two-thirds said that the government needs to build more houses. This is felt particularly strongly in Northern Ireland (82%), the North East (77%) and Wales (73%).

DIY and Décor: Attitudes

Men are more arrogant than women when it comes to how they feel their taste in décor compares with their friends – 43% of men feel their taste is ‘better’ or ‘much better’ than their friends vs. a third of women.

Sisters may be doing it for themselves these days, but when it comes to home projects it seems that men are still doing the lion’s share. However, Solvite’s research shows that women want to do more DIY - although two-thirds of men still do most of the DIY at home, 61% of women say they wish they could do more DIY at home - indicating that they lack the skills but not the motivation to fix things around the home.

People in their fifties have a more mend-it attitude than their younger counterparts – 50% say they do the DIY at home vs. only 46% of people of first time buyer age.

Women are more enthusiastic about wallpapering than men – two-thirds of women of first time buyer age are preparing to wallpaper their new home vs. only 58% of men.

One in ten people say that they often disagree with their partner/flatmate about how to decorate their home.
Francesca Norbury, Brand Manager - Solvite and Nitromors, commented: “Solvite products are designed for first time buyers who are keen to make their new house feel like a home, but don’t have the skills of a professional – they’re easy to use and intended to take the work out of home improvement. We’re proud to celebrate 50 years of providing easy-to-use wallpapering solutions to professionals and novice DIYers alike.”

DIY and Decorating: Trends

Kirsty Allsopp is Britain’s most admired celebrity when it comes to homes and interiors, coming top of a list of well-known homes and DIY celebs – one in three women and 1 in 4 men claim she was the celebrity they most admire.

The glossy high tech kitchens we see on cookery shows are influencing how we want our kitchens to look – two-thirds of people of first time buyer age are preparing to install a new kitchen when they move into their new home.

A quarter of men of first time buyer age expect to have their own games room by the time they are 50.

Kerr Drummond, awarding winning interior design and property expert and Kitchen SOS presenter commented: “Not only are people being influenced by the kitchens they see on cookery shows, the same cookery shows are helping to create a nation of amateur chefs and so first-time-buyers are now more interested in how a kitchen layout should work.

I also think the new generation of first-time-buyers are increasingly more savvy in terms of interior design in general and therefore they’re not put off by having to do a bit of refurbishment work themselves, such as design/installing a new kitchen for example.”

About Solvite’s 50th anniversary

Since 1964, Solvite has been helping customers add character and flare to homes all over the UK. Solvite’s formulation has been credited by professionals since the 60s; indeed, its popularity led to its national brand status and has helped Solvite to become one of the most recognised brands in Britain.

To celebrate and showcase the rich heritage and on-going strength of the brand after 50 years in the market, Solvite has produced a unique crest design which will feature on Solvite’s All Purpose Wallpaper Adhesive (10 roll x 20 sachet) and 20 Roll Dec Box with 50% Extra Free.

The crest not only marks this important milestone for the company, but also symbolises its continual dedication and loyalty to providing customers with products they can trust. This will be accompanied by the iconic Hanging Man.

The Solvite range includes a variety of products for professionals and DIY novices, from the new So Easy Liquid Concentrate adhesive to the latest Expert Gel wallpaper remover.

For more details visit: solvite.co.uk.