The North of Ireland is a nation of dedicated DIY home and garden improvers – and a younger generation are increasingly up to the task, according to independent research commissioned by Lidl Northern Ireland*.
The survey results coincide with the launch of Northern Ireland’s fastest-growing supermarket retailer’s new ‘Parkside’ range of value DIY and gardening tools and equipment.
The survey of 1,100 local adults shows that a staggering 87% of households carry out DIY projects.
A sizeable majority (62%) frequently undertake a home-based improvement project at least every two to three months – though this is higher for those living in Derry and Strabane (73%).
Residents of Derry and Strabane also undertook a higher average number of DIY projects in the last 12 months (6.8) compared with other areas (which had an average of 5.3).
The average spend on DIY and garden tools among all respondents was £190 a year, equating to around £150 million a year for every household in Northern Ireland**.
Around three quarters (71%) of those polled who carry out DIY tasks said they did so to “save money” while 42% of these took to the tools because they enjoyed it.
With a “sense of accomplishment” also a reason for 38% of those polled, a significant 40% said the cost of hiring in help was too expensive and that they would rather get it done themselves than having to wait (31%.)
Of those polled who engaged in DIY projects, men were also more likely to own up to being the household DIY taskmaster at 80% compared with 53% of women, the survey from Northern Ireland’s fastest-growing supermarket retailer showed.
The region’s younger generation also showed its enthusiasm for DIY throughout the home and garden, with 75% of those aged between 18 and 34 admitting to getting in on the act at least every three months.
Gordon Cruickshanks, Sales Operations Director for Lidl Northern Ireland, said: “When it comes to DIY at home and in the garden, our survey shows that people in Northern Ireland aren’t afraid of getting stuck in themselves to get the job done, to regularly invest in their home out of enjoyment and a sense of accomplishment while also saving hundreds – if not thousands – of pounds in the process.
“From painting, decorating, mowing the lawn or digging the garden, our survey confirms that Northern Ireland is clearly a nation of DIY enthusiasts and that for a modest annual investment in the right equipment to do the job, such as our new range of Parkside tools for indoor and outdoor use, so much can be quickly and affordably achieved.”
The Lidl Northern Ireland research also showed that almost nine out of 10 people (89%) polled had access to a garden, where 81% spent time at least once a week.
More women than men – 32% compared with 25% – were also more likely to head into the garden every day.
It was also clear that householders in the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council area were the region’s biggest garden lovers, with around half (48%) spending time daily in the garden compared with a 32% average across Northern Ireland.
Fermanagh and Omagh also came out as the biggest spender on DIY and garden tools at an average £330 a year against a £190 average for the whole of Northern Ireland.
New to Lidl Northern Ireland for summer/autumn 2023 is a value range of ‘Parkside’ tools, covering every aspect of home and garden improvement to help more households to get stuck in.
If you need equipment catered to maintenance projects throughout the home, you can get your hands on the 3-in-1 Multifunction Sander (£22.99), 4V Cordless Screwdriver (£19.99), or Welding Helmet (£34.99).
Or if you’re after a selection of tools that can assist with your painting and decorating, why not pick up the 20V Cordless Hot Glue Gun (£17.99), Spray Paint Assortment (£2.99) and Paint Brush Set (£2.99). For devices to help with the upkeep of your garden, check out the Pruning Saw (£6.99), Extendable Hedge Shears (£17.99) and Electric Leaf Blower (£59.99).
Lidl Northern Ireland’s Parkside range is available in all Lidl Northern Ireland stores while stocks last.
For more information visit https://www.lidl-ni.co.uk/ or to view the Parkside range of DIY tools for the home and garden, visit: https://www.lidl.ie/parkside
Tags: