improvement experts recently launched the Home Projects Council (HPC)
with a survey on outdoor do-it-yourself (DIY) project trends. The online
survey of 1,278 homeowners planning home improvement projects in 2013
assessed which outdoor projects are desirable versus likely and which
projects are perceived as easy versus difficult. It also asked
homeowners to prioritize the value of home improvement projects while
revealing their preferred home improvement project resources.
"There are many useful home improvement resources available to
homeowners, but we believe the collective expertise and insight of the
Home Projects Council, which includes manufacturers, media, industry
associations and higher education, can be more impactful," said Frank
Owens, Vice President Marketing for The QUIKRETE® Companies
and HPC member. "Our goal is to help homeowners increase the value of
their homes by not only identifying trends, but by inspiring and
steering them to successfully handle projects without concrete driveway sealing companies the help or cost
of a professional."
The homeowners surveyed consistently responded that functional value
(57%) trumps aesthetic value (28.3%) and financial value (14.7%)
significantly when considering an outdoor DIY project. These insights
are reinforced by the fact that five of the first eight most desirable
projects identified by homeowners in the survey are arguably more
functional in value than aesthetic or financial.
Which of these projects are the most desirable? (Pick three)
% of Respondents
Plant a garden
49.1%
Use decorative pebbles, stones or rocks for landscaping
28.3%
Build a deck
22.8%
Create a fire pit or barbecue pit
20.5%
Build a patio or walkway using concrete pavers or bricks
19.2%
Install or build a shed or storage building
18.8%
Stain or paint siding or windows
17.3%
Build a privacy fence
17.1%
Stain or paint exterior concrete surfaces (patio, pool deck,
driveway, sidewalk, etc.)
16.6%
Repair or seal concrete cracks in patios, steps or driveways
14.0%
Install retaining wall or gardenwall
12.2%
Clean concrete or asphalt surfaces
10.6%
Create wooden or concrete planters
10.4%
Build an outdoor kitchen
9.6%
Install garden pond
9.0%
Pour concrete slabs for patios, steps or sidewalks
8.6%
Resurface concrete driveway, sidewalk or patio
8.6%
Build a garden tressel
7.2%
An driveway sealer analysis of the survey results comparing the most desirable outdoor
projects to the perceived level of difficulty helped define homeowner
comfort and confidence with each project. Homeowners have planting a
garden and landscaping under control. However, building a deck, fire
pit, barbecue pit, patio, walkway, or privacy fence are desirable
projects that homeowners are less likely to attempt without support or
assistance.
How likely are you to try the following projects yourself?
Very
Moderately
Not
Plant a garden
71.4%
17.3%
11.3%
Use decorative pebbles, stones or rocks for landscaping
57.2%
23.5%
19.3%
Clean concrete or asphalt surfaces
45.9%
43.4%
29.7%
Stain or paint siding or windows
43.2%
22.2%
34.6%
Stain or paint exterior concrete surfaces (patio, pool deck,
driveway, sidewalk, etc.)
39.6%
25.9%
34.5%
Repair or seal concrete cracks in patios, steps or driveways
35.1%
27%
37.9%
Create a fire pit or barbecue pit
34.7%
24.9%
40.4%
Build a patio or walkway using concrete pavers or bricks
33.4%
31.4%
35.2%
Create wooden or concrete planters
33.4%
27.1%
39.5%
Build a garden trestle
28.2%
29.5%
42.3%
Build a privacy fence
28.1%
23.3%
48.6%
Install or build a shed or storage building
27.9%
23.1%
49%
Install retaining wall or garden wall
25.8%
24.7%
49.5%
Build a deck
23.2%
23.6%
53.1%
Install garden pond
19.2%
20.2%
60.6%
Pour concrete slabs for patios, steps or sidewalks
17.9%
20.8%
61.3%
Resurface concrete driveway, sidewalk or patio
17.4%
23.6%
59%
Build an outdoor kitchen
12.6%
17.1%
70.3%
Which of these projects are the most difficult or intimidating
(Pick three)
% of Respondents
Build an outdoor kitchen
58.1%
Pour concrete slabs for patios, steps or sidewalks
46.6%
Build a deck
44.4%
Install or build a shed or storage building
28.8%
Resurface concrete driveway, sidewalk or patio
24.3%
Install garden pond
20.6%
Install retaining wall or garden wall
19.8%
Build a privacy fence
15.3%
Build a patio or walkway using concrete pavers or bricks
12.7%
Create a fire pit or barbecue pit
8.1%
Repair or seal concrete cracks in patios, steps or driveways
6.5%
Stain or paint exterior concrete surfaces (patio, pool deck,
driveway, sidewalk, etc.)
3.5%
Stain or paint siding or windows
3.4%
Build a garden trestle
2.3%
Clean concrete or asphalt surfaces
1.7%
Plant a garden
1.6%
Use decorative pebbles, stones or rocks for landscaping
1.4%
Create wooden or concrete driveway sealing how often planters
0.9%
The desired outdoor DIY projects that are perceived as too challenging
all require some building skills, which can intimidate some homeowners.
It is the goal of the HPC to offer useful advice and tips to help
homeowners driveway sealing companies near me overcome these fears and move forward with the home
improvement projects they truly want. Homeowners are also encouraged to
take advantage driveway sealing cost of resources available through the HPC including member
websites, social media platforms, blogs and e-newsletters.
1. Build confidence and skill by starting with a simple project
2. Review dos-and-don'ts from homeowners who have already done the
project
3. Secure reputable step-by-step directions and shopping list
4. Conduct research to find the best possible materials and tools
5. Increase know-how and understanding by reviewing instructional videos
6. Seek assistance from a friend or family member with more experience
7. Rehearse the project several times before staring the project
8. Practice any new skills like mixing concrete, cutting lumber, etc.
with sample materials
9. Access instructional videos on the project site via laptop or other
device, if possible
10. Remember that no one is perfect and mistakes will happen
Home Projects Council Members
Tom Baker - This Old House, building technology editor
Danny Lipford - Today's Homeowner with Danny Lipford, host
Jill Sell - Cleveland Plain Dealer and Ohio Magazine, home improvement
columnist
Stacey Moncrieff - National Association of Realtors (NAR), vice
president, business-to-business communications
Fred Miller - Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI), managing
director
Tanya Komas, Ph.D. - California State University at Chico, Concrete
Industry Management (CIM) program coordinator
Ethan Hagan - One Project Closer, blogger
Frank Owens - The QUIKRETE® Companies, vice president
marketing
Ed Fioroni, Ph.D. - PAVESTONE®, Vice President of Sales and
Marketing
Mike Eastergard - PreiTech, president
Survey Methodology
May 2013
1,278 respondents - approximately 50% male, 50% female
Homeowners planning a do-it-yourself (DIY) project in 2013
Nearly 80% household incomes $50,000 - $250,000
DIY skill level - 36.6% beginner, 54.8% intermediate, 8.6% expert