Why Home Renovations Have Doubled in Under 30s

The UK housing market is a scary place for young adults just getting on the property ladder. It’s hard to buy a first property, and young people are finding it harder than ever to get on the ladder.

But for those on the ladder, we’re seeing a huge surge in home renovation projects being undertaken by people under 30.

This isn’t a trend; this is a fact supported by data.

Barbour-ABI’s Home Improvement Index 2024 gives us a glimpse into this trend, revealing that UK households collectively invested £60 billion in repairs, maintenance and improvements in 2021-22. That’s a big number and a sustained desire for home improvements.

Despite a recent dip in overall application numbers due to economic uncertainty, this trend shows no signs of slowing down.

The index shows a big increase in applications for sustainable upgrades like solar panels, insulation and heat pumps. This is a clear generational shift towards more eco-friendly home renovations.

This is particularly evident in younger homeowners who are now prioritising long-term energy efficiency and environmental sustainability in their property investments.

In fact, the report shows a 15% increase in applications for energy-efficient installations compared to the previous year. Under 30’s make up a big chunk of this growth.

This means younger homeowners are not just renovating a house for aesthetic or functional reasons but are also renovating as a strategic investment in future-proofing their properties against rising energy costs and environmental concerns.

The article below will go through a range of home renovation statistics. We’ll look at market trends and data, the drivers behind the increase in home renovations in under 30’s, the financials and support and future predictions for the home renovation industry.

Market Trends and Data

To fully understand this trend, we need to drill down into the changing dynamics of the UK housing market. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) provides some key data that really brings to light the challenges faced by young adults trying to get on the property ladder.

Their figures show a steady and consistent increase in the average age of first-time buyers. It’s currently 34 years old, further highlighting the affordability crisis.

Young people delaying buying homes means they are buying older, less modern properties that need significant renovations to meet our fast-paced and ever-changing modern living standards.

In 2024, the average UK house price is around £290,000, making new-build homes increasingly out of reach for most young people. This is especially true in cities and busier areas where prices are much higher.

Additionally, the Zoopla House Price Index 2025 shows that the gap between house prices and flat prices has reached a 30-year high, with house prices increasing much more than flat prices. This also affects the types of properties young people buy.

This means buying a house is getting harder and harder while flats may now be a more realistic option for a first-time buyer.

The combination of the above factors is driving the current property renovation boom among young UK homeowners.

Drivers

There are several drivers behind the surge in home renovations among young homeowners in the UK. This is a complex mix of economic, social and environmental factors.

Affordability Challenges

Property values in urban areas of the UK are over £500,000, further highlighting the pressure on affordability for young people who want to get on the property ladder.

According to recent data from the Institute for Fiscal Studies (IFS)the proportion of 25-34 year olds living with their parents has increased from 13% to 18% since 2006.

The percentage hit a peak of 21% during the COVID-19 pandemic before falling back slightly.

This 5% point rise since 2006 is equivalent to 450,000 more young adults living with parents than if rates had remained at 2006 levels. These increases in the rate of 25 to 34-year-olds living with their parents have been higher in areas that have seen higher house price growth since 2006.

The biggest increases over this period were in the South West, where the rate rose by 58% and in the East of England, where it rose by 56%. This data shows how young adults struggle to get a foot on the property ladder and instead live with their parents for longer.

Also, the cost of living, including energy bills and general inflation, is adding to the financial pressures on young homeowners.

A recent report by Citizen’s Advice shows that 3 in 10 (30%) of homeowners say they struggle to afford their energy bills. That’s over 8 million households.

More than a quarter of people on prepayment meters (29%) have been disconnected from their energy supply in the past year because they couldn’t afford to top up.

This data shows how the cost of living makes it harder for young people to buy homes and why they may be buying homes to renovate or choosing to renovate their current property instead of moving home.

Rise of Remote Work

Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK employment market has seen a massive rise in people working from home. With homeowners spending more time at home, they may feel more inclined to do home improvements to make their home look and feel more pleasing, not just as a living environment but as a work environment as well.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) reports that their recent Labour Market Outlook survey found that the adoption of hybrid working remains widespread. Almost half (41%) of employers allow hybrid working with formalised policies in place.

One in five (19%) employers also have informal practices between managers and employees, with a small proportion (15%) who believe they are currently in the testing and learning stage. This shows there is a huge proportion of workers who are now working from home, a big increase from the days gone by.

According to Remote Working Statistics UK, the 24 to 34-year-old age group is the most likely to be working remotely, with 54% of this age group working from home.

This statistic highlights the added need for young homeowners to create dedicated workspaces in their homes and is an added driver for the rise in home renovations in under-30s.

Social Media and DIY Culture

The rise of social media has fundamentally changed how young homeowners approach home renovations. Social media platforms like TikTok, Instagram and YouTube are the primary sources of inspiration for young adults. The trend of using these platforms for DIY advice is continuing to grow.

Retailers like B&Q and Wickes are directly benefiting from this trend, reporting a sustained increase in DIY material sales to young homeowners. According to Insight DIY (Intelligence and Insight for the DIY Industry), social media is playing an increasingly big role in inspiring the UK to do DIY, particularly among younger generations.

The research shows that 7 in 10 (71%) of Gen Z adults who will do DIY this year use social media as their go-to for DIY inspiration, along with 67% of Millennials.

With the rise of home improvement influencers, younger adults are getting inspiration and motivation to do work in their own homes. With ever-changing trends flooding social media channels, younger adults may feel pressure to keep their homes up to date, potentially leading to a rise in the number of home improvement jobs among the under-30 age group.

Sustainability & Energy Efficiency

The Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ) is at the forefront of promoting energy-efficient upgrades. Government initiatives and financial incentives are driving demand. Recent data shows a sustained and accelerating increase in the adoption of sustainable technologies, including heat pumps, solar panel installations and advanced insulation systems.

Government statistics show a massive 52% increase in the number of government-supported heat pumps installed in 2024 compared to the previous year.

We are also seeing increases in the number of solar photovoltaic (PV) installations, efficient windows and doors and cavity wall insulation installations. A large proportion of these installations are being carried out in properties owned by individuals in the 25-34 age group.

The trend towards sustainable renovations is not just driven by environmental concerns. A large percentage of young homeowners say reducing their energy bills is a primary motivation for investing in energy-efficient home upgrades. The money-saving incentive, combined with a growing awareness of climate change, is driving a huge rise in green renovations among the younger generations.

Younger homeowners are seeing renovations as an opportunity to create sustainable, energy-efficient homes that reduce their environmental impact and long-term living costs.

Financial Aspects & Support

Larger Government schemes such as the now-closed Green Homes Grant have fluctuated. However, there is still a network of localised grants and loans that are providing crucial financial support for young homeowners who are taking on home renovation projects.

Local councils all across the UK are offering grants specifically for energy-efficient upgrades such as insulation and heat pump installations. These are often targeted at low-income households and those living in older, less energy-efficient properties.

Borrowing from banks and building societies is on the rise. Some banks and building societies offer specific loans for home renovations. Nationwide Building Society, like many of the other major financial institutions, acknowledges the growing demand for home renovation finance. This is evidenced by their increased focus on providing lending options for home improvement projects.

Recently, Nationwide has increased the amount of money available in personal loans due to the increased cost of home improvements.

This shows they are aware of the increased need for this type of funding. According to their report, industry figures point to a further 15% rise in costs over the next five years, from materials to labour.

They also reported that more than 1 in 3 customers taking out a Nationwide personal loan over £20,000 do so for home improvements. This shows just how popular and important financing is when it comes to home improvements.

With higher borrowing opportunities and Government help schemes, young homeowners have more opportunities than ever to finance their house renovation dreams. Whether it’s energy-efficient improvements or aesthetic changes, young homeowners are taking advantage of their ability to better finance home improvements.

Future

The surge in home renovations among young people in the UK is not just a trend. It’s a structural shift driven by a combination of economic, demographic and environmental factors.

Not only are young homeowners looking to personalise their living spaces as well as modernise the UK’s ageing housing market, but they are also focusing on making sustainable upgrades that will continue to fuel renovation demand for years to come.

The UK’s commitment to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 is another big driver of sustainable home renovations. The Climate Change Committee (CC) provides detailed analysis and recommendations for achieving these targets.

Their reports highlight the urgent need for widespread energy efficiency upgrades in the existing UK housing market. The CCC’s Sixth Carbon Budget outlines the necessary steps for energy-efficient improvements needed to meet the 2035 targets.

It says homeowners will choose to adopt low-carbon solutions as high-carbon options are being phased out. It states that by early 2030, all boiler replacements in homes and other buildings will be low-carbon and largely electric.

Many young homeowners are upgrading their boilers and are ready for the coming changes. Not just to improve energy efficiency but to reduce energy bills and modernise their existing systems.

Younger homeowners are renovating older properties and using home improvement funding to create more personalised energy-efficient homes.

This trend is showing no signs of slowing down and is set to change the UK’s housing market for years to come.