| In a recent survey of homeowners, nearly three out | | | | participants (47%) planned to roll up their sleeves and |
| of four were found to have completed a recent | | | | get involved themselves, while 42% said they would |
| home makeover or had plans to do so within the | | | | hire a contractor and leave the makeover work to |
| next year. In fact, when asked to choose between a | | | | someone else. The remaining 11% were undecided. |
| $10,000 home makeover or a personal makeover, | | | | 62% of participants who had already completed their |
| three-quarters chose the home makeover! | | | | home makeover projects--either by themselves or |
| Home Makeover Idea Sources | | | | with the help of a spouse--said they would do it |
| A majority of the homeowners surveyed (64%) said | | | | again. 6% said they and their spouse "fought like cats |
| they would turn to a local home improvement center | | | | and dogs," and 13% said "next time I'll do it myself." |
| like Lowes or Home Depot for home makeover ideas | | | | Home Makeover Expenditures |
| and information, while home decorating magazines | | | | Survey participants were also asked how much |
| and home improvement books were cited by 49% | | | | money they were planning to spend on home |
| of homeowners as a likely source of makeover ideas. | | | | improvement or home makeover projects in the |
| Home improvement catalogs were mentioned by | | | | coming year. Women, on average, were expecting to |
| 42% of those surveyed as a likely source of | | | | spend about $10,000 to make over their homes, |
| inspiration, and home improvement television shows | | | | while men planned to spend an average of $6,200 on |
| were cited by 40% as a home makeover idea | | | | their home makeover and home improvement |
| source. | | | | projects. Both men and women chose kitchens and |
| Nearly half (49%) of all homeowners said they would | | | | bathrooms as the areas of the home most in need |
| turn to friends and family for home makeover ideas, | | | | of a makeover, followed by master bedrooms, family |
| while 37% said they would seek advice from an | | | | rooms, home offices and bedrooms for the children. |
| interior designer, contractor or architect. Surprisingly, | | | | When asked what kinds of home makeover projects |
| only 31% of homeowners mentioned that they | | | | were on their wish list, 47% of homeowners |
| would use the Internet as a source of home | | | | mentioned a custom kitchen with real hardwood |
| makover ideas. | | | | cabinets as their dream makeover project. A marble |
| Do It Yourself vs Professional Home Improvement | | | | bathroom with a Jacuzzi came in second at 39%, |
| Help | | | | followed by walk in closets (37%), a home theater |
| Homeowners in the survey were also asked who | | | | system or high definition TV (36%), natural |
| would do the work on their home makeover and | | | | hardwood floors and paneling (32%) and a |
| home improvement projects. Nearly half of survey | | | | well-equipped home office (26%). |