Women have more DIY projects planned than men and are now
driving the home improvements sector, a new report says.
Some 6.28 million women have DIY projects scheduled for between now and
July compared with just five million men, Sainsbury's Bank has found.
British women propose to spend £29.29bn on home improvements whereas men
have budgeted for £27.53bn, the bank says.
However, the total £57bn they intend to spend is down on the £80bn they
planned to spend from June to December 2004.
More than £4bn of the cash spent will be funded by loans, the bank
estimates.
The average DIY project in Britain will cost about £5,000, it says.
Most people plan to do painting and decorating, while the second most
popular task is fitting a new kitchen followed by replacing a bathroom.
Some 792,000 want to build extensions while 310,000 are looking to
convert lofts.
More than 1,014 men and women across the country were interviewed for the
survey.