The UK’s largest builders merchants, Travis Perkins, have announced that they have seen a change in customer trends which indicate that property developing and self building are becoming more popular again in the weeks since Christmas, whereas DIY seems to be taking more of a back seat.

The news comes as the demand for DIY equipment such as screwdrivers and paint brushes is decreasing; they are being purchased less frequently in DIY stores such as Wickes which is owned by Travis Perkins, compared both to the weeks and months before Christmas and the trends the building firm saw this time last year.

Last year, there was an overall decline of 3% in the number of retail purchases for DIY home improvement equipment, but this was lower than the sector expected considering the country was in the grip of a recession. People had still preferred the DIY option, choosing to improve their homes rather than move house, mainly due to the lack of public confidence in the housing market.

As the UK has finally moved out of recession and the housing market it beginning to turn, confidence in property prices and investing in bricks and mortar is beginning to be a more attractive prospect. This seems to be what is happening as Travis Perkins are seeing more sales to tradespeople coming out of the woodwork, who make up 70% of their customers, purchasing building materials such as bricks and timber to renovate properties for resale or as rental properties.

Geoff Cooper, Travis Perkins’ Chief Executive has advised that the trend is primarily that the number of housing contractors and sub contractors working on housing developments purchasing building materials is on the increase, however the Government boiler scrappage scheme has also led to an increase in work for plumbers. There is therefore also increasing demand for plumbing parts such as energy efficient boilers, pipework and associated fixtures and fittings. Homeowners are bringing up the rear in the amount of home improvement materials they are purchasing, close behind commercial shop fitters.

The lack of enthusiasm from home owners to undertake redecorating and renovation work in their homes may change, especially if people are becoming more confident that house prices have stabilised and are looking to get property valuations from a local estate agent before putting their homes on the market. This often prompts people to crack open the lid of a pot of magnolia paint to freshen up the house creating a blank canvas for potential buyers and perhaps indulging in a few interior decoration items like new curtains, blinds, or to add a particular selling point by fitting a new bathroom or kitchen.

People don’t necessarily have to rip out the old kitchen and fit new cupboards. Simply priming and painting old tired doors or hanging new cabinet doors and drawer fronts can give the look of a new kitchen at a fraction of the cost. Painters and decorators, carpenters and joiners or kitchen design specialists should be able to help with any of these home improvements to add those all important selling points to your property.

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