Sixty-seven percent of UK homeowners have put off renovation work because they could not afford it. The figure comes from the UK Home Improvements Report 2026 by lender Evolution Money, based on a survey of 2,000 homeowners, and 39% of respondents had postponed more than one project.
The wish to improve is strong. Sixty-one percent said they would rather upgrade their current home than move over the next five years, mostly because they like the property and the neighbourhood. Moving put many off: 42% found it too expensive, the same share dreaded the stress and disruption, and 41% pointed to high house prices.
Dream budgets and real savings
The report found a clear mismatch. The most common dream renovation budget was between £20,000 and £40,000, yet 75% of respondents had less than £10,000 set aside. Half said they would pay for a big job from savings, but only 34% had a dedicated home improvement fund. Twenty-eight percent would consider tackling complex work themselves to avoid paying a professional.
Bathrooms were the most frequently postponed job, at 36%, followed by kitchens at 33% and replacement windows and doors at 30%. Roofs had been put off by 24% and heating upgrades by 22%. Using data from tradesperson platforms, Evolution Money estimated average costs of £5,725 for a bathroom, £10,750 for a kitchen, £8,925 for windows and doors, £10,197 for a roof and £5,050 for heating.
More people are borrowing
The lender’s own figures show a shift toward loans. Approved home improvement loans have more than doubled since 2021, and the average approved loan rose 120.5%, from £9,527 in 2016 to £21,005 in 2025. Applications for loans of £20,000 to £29,999 grew 13% in 2025, the fastest-growing mainstream bracket in its data.
Kerri Pender, managing director at Evolution Money, urged owners to build a dedicated fund before work starts and to set aside a contingency. “Renovations, particularly in older properties, often uncover issues that simply aren’t visible until work is underway,” she said.
