People spending more on DIY and less on going out
A new report finds people are upgrading their homes for entertaining
People are spending more on DIY upgrades to their homes and less on going out, according to new research from price comparison service MoneySuperMarket. As the cost of going out continues to rise, 75% of UK adults say they're now entertaining at home
More than half (56%) have made home improvements. The findings coincide with a milestone for MoneySuperMarket's SuperSaveClub, with up to 10% cashback at retailers such as B&Q, Argos and Etsy.
The data showed that as the weather warms up, outside spaces are the most likely to be targeted for a makeover,with 58% upgrading their garden with new furniture, lighting, or entertaining features like firepits and pergolas. One in four adults have created an outdoor barbecue space complete with furniture and lighting - making it the most popular home improvement. 14% have built their own bar at home.
Kara Gammell, personal finance expert at MoneySuperMarket, said: 'With hosting at home a popular trend, making savings on your household bills makes even more sense."
Kara said 'If you're tackling any DIY to prepare for hosting at home, it's important to understand which tasks could affect your home insurance. Certain jobs, such as electrical work, should be performed by qualified professionals, as attempting them yourself could void your home insurance if any issues arise.'
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Kara said: 'Our survey found half of people have had a party mishap, so it's worth spending a few minutes checking your home insurance cover. We found the most common mishap is spilled food and drinks on furniture, which you'd need accidental damage cover on your policy to claim for. It's also worth checking that you've listed any items that could exceed the single item limit – that's typically anything that cost more than £1,000, for instance, sofas and carpets.
'Hosting at home should be fun and relaxed, but in our survey half of people said they've had a party mishap. So you can host worry free, it's worth spending a few minutes checking your home insurance cover. Spilled food and drinks on furniture and carpets are the most common types of damage people told us they've experienced when hosting. To make a claim, you'd need accidental damage as part of your policy, which isn't always standard. It's also worth checking that you've listed any items that could exceed the single item limit – that's typically anything that cost more than £1,000, for instance, sofas and carpets.'
Kara continues: 'Most home insurance policies with contents cover offer some level of protection for outdoor items, such as BBQs, furniture and plants.
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"However, the level of cover varies, and with over half of people sprucing up their garden for hosting, you may want to opt for additional cover to make sure you're adequately covered for expensive items such as outdoor kitchens, garden furniture and even plants.'
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