A round-up of the latest self-build and home renovation news, products and events.
New research from Make UK Modular, the voice of the modular housing sector, has revealed that British people strongly support the building of more energy-efficient homes. According to the report, Green Shoots: The Future of UK Housebuilding, which has been created in partnership with Octopus Energy, the environmental performance of a property is deemed as important to six out of 10 Brits. One in two would pay more up front for a greener property and almost eight out of 10 would pay more for a property with lower energy bills.
This desire for greener, more sustainable homes is even greater among the next generation of homeowners, with 66% of those aged between 18 and 30 saying they would be willing to spend more on an environmentally friendly residence. In response, Make UK Modular is calling for the government to fast-track planning applications for greener homes and take a new, modern approach to stamp duty, based on the energy performance of the house in question. Make UK Modular believes these measures would drive energy-efficient construction and significantly lower Britain’s carbon output.
Maintenance matters
According to new research from Sky Protect Smart Home Insurance, over a third of UK homeowners prefer their property to look nice, as opposed to primarily worrying about what’s happening below the surface. The study found that over the last 12 months, Brits have spent, on average, £4,000 on non-essential renovations, including cosmetic upgrades to bathrooms and kitchens. 47% of those surveyed said decorating topped their list of priorities around the home, followed by buying new furniture (28%) and improving the garden (22%). However, maintenance was highlighted as a common concern, with 87% stating they were worried about what essential jobs need doing around the home, while 66% were concerned about the financial implications. Of those surveyed, 34% said their property currently requires essential maintenance that could cost more than £7,000 and 57% said they were delaying vital upgrades due to the expense.
BUILD EVENTS
THE MONEY-SAVING GARDENER: CREATE YOUR DREAM GARDEN AT A FRACTION OF THE COST
Beat the cost of living and transform your garden on a budget. In this moneysaving guide, you’ll learn tips and tricks to keep landscaping costs down, without compromising on impact. Learn how to repurpose what you have, make the most of garden waste and boost your plant collection for next to nothing. RRP £16.99
NEC HOMEBUILDING & RENOVATING SHOW
NEC, Birmingham
Visit the NEC show for tailored advice, access to thousands of products and expert-led masterclasses covering everything from building with ICF to i
