What UK Homeowners Are Spending Money on in 2026
Understanding what UK homeowners are spending money on in 2026 is commercially valuable for any tradesperson – it tells you where demand is strongest, which services to promote, and where to focus your marketing. Here is what the data and market signals tell us.
Energy Efficiency: The Biggest Growth Category
Energy costs have permanently recalibrated homeowner thinking. The category that has seen the biggest growth in homeowner spending since 2022 is energy efficiency:
- Solar PV and battery storage – payback periods of 6-10 years and SEG income make this a compelling investment. Demand has remained strong even as supply has grown. Solar Energy UK reports year-on-year installation growth.
- EV charge points – nearly 50% of new car registrations are now electric or hybrid. The majority of EV owners charge at home, and the OZEV grant has driven significant domestic charger installation volumes.
- Heat pumps and hybrid heating – slower growth than solar, partly due to the upfront cost and insulation prerequisites, but the Boiler Upgrade Scheme grant of £7,500 is driving uptake among the right property types.
- Insulation and draught-proofing – loft and cavity wall insulation installations have surged with energy prices.
Bathroom and Kitchen Renovations: The Perennial Favourites
Bathrooms and kitchens consistently rank as the top home improvement categories by spending volume. Key trends in 2026:
Bathrooms: Wet rooms and walk-in showers have overtaken bath-first designs in new bathroom installations. Homeowners are spending more on tiles, fixtures, and finishes – the average bathroom renovation budget has increased. For plumbers and tilers with a bathroom package offering, demand is strong.
Kitchens: Kitchen extensions (single-storey rear extensions) are among the most common permitted development projects. The combination of builder, electrician, and plumber work generates significant combined trade spend per project.
Outdoor Living: Decking, Landscaping, and Garden Rooms
The post-pandemic uplift in outdoor living investment has been sustained. Homeowners with gardens are investing in: – Decking and patio areas – Garden rooms and outbuildings (permitted development) – Outdoor electrical installations (sockets, lighting, security cameras) – Garden drainage and landscaping
For landscapers, groundworkers, and electricians, this is a strong growth area particularly in spring and summer.
What Homeowners Are Not Spending On Right Now
Large-scale extensions and loft conversions requiring planning permission have seen slower growth – partly due to planning uncertainty and partly due to mortgage rate impacts on homeowners’ equity release.
Decorating has seen a slight slowdown in discretionary spend – homeowners prioritising high-ROI energy efficiency projects over cosmetic work.
Conclusion
The trades industry rewards those who combine excellent work with professional business practices. The guidance above covers the practical fundamentals – applying it consistently is what separates the tradespeople who stay busy and profitable from those who struggle with feast-and-famine cycles. For further guidance, visit RICS: homeowner spend data.
Frequently Asked Questions
According to Rightmove and Zoopla data, loft conversions, kitchen extensions, new kitchens and bathrooms, and solar installations are among the highest-ROI home improvements. EPC rating improvements are increasingly valued by buyers and lenders.
Average UK homeowner home improvement spending is estimated at £5,000-£8,000 per year by Statista UK consumer data. This varies significantly by region, property value, and whether the homeowner is undertaking a major project in that year.
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