NHIW NEWS


NHIW NEWS


CONSUMERS STILL KEEN BUT LACKING IN SKILLS AND CONFIDENCE


W ith the d ebate


abou t ‘move , improve and the future of DIY’ still very topical in the UK market, a national survey


of over 2,000 consumers carried out ahead of National Home Week (March 12-18),


Improvement We


confirms that the inclination to home impr ove is still very much alive – but that a per ceived lack of skills and confidence is holding many consumers back.


In fact, a hefty 83% of homeowners and r enters claim to be active in the market at least once a year with nearly half those sampled involved in home or garden improvement


activity ‘often or fr equently’. Food for thought for the industry however is that these figures might well be higher if only more consumers felt they had the skills and the confidence to get stuck in to DIY


DIY Y..


Motivation to make changes for the better in both home and garden is in plentiful supply – the top reasons being comfort, style and adding value to the property


erty.y. In fact, nearly


a fifth of consumers feel so strongly about the need to improve that they describe themselves as ‘ashamed or embarrassed’ about the state of their homes. By far, the biggest area of concern (61%) is the appearance of interior walls with gr ubby marks and dated designs being significant for home improvem ent.


r,, drivers th


Over a thir d of respondents cited floors and tiling as problem areas, while a quarter were struggling with clutter and a quarter bemoaned the appearance of the garden.


Only 28% of consumers surveyed felt comfortable and successful in their home and garden improvement activities. Another 18% confessed to trying, befor e giving up and calling in a professional tradesperson; and the remainder wanted to leave all such tasks well alone. The reasons were clear . 60% said they lacked the knowledge or competence, while 39% did not feel confident that they could do a good enough job. Commenting on the survey was commissioned by


y, and carried out by Independent


News, BHETA executive chairTA executive chairman, Andrew Weiss said:


We We “If anything


illustrates the opportunity and the need for this industry to reach out more to consumers, then this does. We have a nation of homeowners and renters who want to invest in their homes and gardens – and just need more information, help and encouragement to do so.


National


Home Improvement Week is a great start, promoting ideas and tips throughout consumer and social media.


We eek The website www


enting on the survey, which BHETA


www w..


homeimprovementweek.co.uk will be a great resource for enabling consumers to gain skills


and TA


confidence and helping retailers and suppliers to make the most of the opportunity


y..”


PRODUCT NEWS PRODUCT NE


EWS


STV, the specialist home and gar den pest control supplier, has intr oduced three new sizes of natural deterrent to help gardeners tackle slug and snail damage without using chemicals.


Defenders Slugs Away is available in 1-litre, 3.5-litr e, and 5-litre packs. The wool- based pellets deter slugs and snails naturally , forming a blanket mulch when watered. Perfect for organic gardening and safe for use around children and pets, this 100% biodegradable deterrent also acts as a weed suppr essant, and reduces the need for watering plants.


Produced fr om wool and supplied in pellets, this is a natural, organic way to keep slugs and snails away fr om plants and is suitable for organic gardens. Simply lay the pellets on top of the compost in pots and planters, then water . The pellets will “self-felt” to form a continuous mat around the stems of plants.


Minute fibres in the mat ar e an irritant to slugs and the mat absorbs moisture from the slug’s foot. As an organic material, it contains naturally occurring slow release nutrients and will help feed plants as well as improving moisture retention.


Defenders gar den care and Slugs A way ar e available for immediate delivery thr ough pr eferr ed wholesalers including Decco, Stax and Home Hardware.


To find out more about how to become an STV Key Stockist, call the r eader enquiries number below or contact your local STV repr esentative.


To  01953 881580


 info@stvpestcontrol.com  www.stvpestcontrol.com


14 DIY WEEK 23 FEBRUARY 2018 www.diyweek.net


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