Homeowners are now spending TWICE as much time on home improvements than they did before the lockdown

Homeowners are now spending TWICE as much time on home improvements than they did before the lockdown.

A study of 2,000 adults found that up until the end of March, house proud Brits would spend an average of four hours and 44 minutes a month making their residences perfect.

This figure has now rocketed to eight hours and 21 minutes in recent months.

But despite their efforts, the study commissioned by Independent Network powered by VEKA found they are still five years and five months away from getting their homes ‘just right.’

It also emerged 14 per cent have a ‘vision’ of how they want their house to look – including the furnishings they’ll buy, what the décor will be and even how the windows will look.

A spokeswoman for Independent Network powered by VEKA, said: “The research shows just how much of a priority our homes are at this moment in time.

“We’ve always been a house proud nation but clearly this love for our homes has increased dramatically in a relatively short period of time.

“With us spending more time at home perhaps the nation is finally getting time to get their homes up to the standard they would like.”

The study also revealed that three quarters of homeowners would describe themselves as house proud, with 71 per cent adding that their homes are more important to them now than ever before.

As a result 54 per cent felt more motivated to improve their homes at this particular moment in time.

This is not only reflected in the time spent working on their dwellings – it’s also reflected in the money spent.

Homeowners have gone from spending an average of £98 a month on improving their homes prior to the lockdown to £181 a month now.

And there is no sign this drive to finish off their homes will slow anytime soon with 85 per cent still having jobs they want to get done this year.

Among them are painting walls and ceilings, giving the garden a revamp and getting the living room done.

It also emerged that 43 per cent admitted they are a perfectionist when it comes to their homes – and won’t stop until their house is ‘spot on’.

Although, 39 per cent don’t think their residences will ever be truly finished.

Despite this 70 per cent are ‘content’ with their homes as they are.

In fact, those polled even have favourite parts of their homes, with a fifth claiming to be most proud of their bathroom.

The living room is the area of the home they are most proud of, followed by the kitchen and the garden.

Four in 10 admitted they are so proud of their homes they ‘can’t wait’ to invite people over as restrictions are reduced – so they can give them a grand tour of all the improvements they’ve made.

The Independent Network powered by VEKA study carried out through OnePoll also explored the typical life cycle of different areas of the home.

On average, master bedrooms get redecorated every five-and-a-half years, bathrooms every six years and three months, while windows tend to get replaced every eight years.

The garden gets a revamp after five years, the kitchen after six years and four months, and the living room after five years and four months.

The spokeswoman for Independent Network powered by VEKA added: “For many of us, our homes are constantly evolving – whether that’s changing the décor, the layout of rooms, having new windows installed or whatever it might be.

“And that’s very much what makes owning a home so much fun – seeing your plans come to fruition and being able to step back and be delighted at the work done.

“And that’s exactly how we want our customers to feel when they use our services.”