Survey Reveals DIY Habits and Time Spent: Time Overruns Are Common

ST. LOUIS, MO - While nearly half of “Do It Yourselfers” say they follow recommended steps to complete a renovation project, only 20 percent say their project results are on par with that of a professional. That one of the findings in the KILZ® annual Roller Report: DIY Discoveries edition, which surveyed 1,000 do-it-yourselfers across the country to uncover the habits of the ever-growing sect of weekend warriors.

Results aside, DIY projects are time-consuming and often exceed the amount of time anticipated to complete them. While sixty-four percent of those polled spend anywhere from one to 10 hours per month on home improvement projects, only five percent say that projects never exceed the time they anticipated. Good preparation and execution of a project can help ensure that a DIYer’s time is well-spent.

“The most popular DIY project is repainting a room, and the proper execution of this can make all the difference,” says Lisa LaPorta, co-host and expert designer for HGTV’s “Designed to Sell.” “The dead giveaway to a professional paint job is how well the paint has covered, and coverability is often dramatically enhanced when you start with a primed surface.”

According to the Roller Report, only 36 percent of DIYers always use primer before beginning a paint project, which may be due in part to a lack of understanding of the benefits that primer affords. The most common benefit recognized by DIY primer users is that the paint better adheres to the surface, allowing for a truer paint color. But the benefits of using primer extend far beyond this, according to LaPorta.

“Many consumers don’t realize that starting with a good primer base can help extend the life of your paint job once completed,” says LaPorta. “Using primer first will help your paint hold up better to the wear and tear of its environment -- whether it’s sunshine and rain on the exterior of your house or the scrub-downs needed to remove fingerprints on the interior.”

Bold is IN!

DIYers are getting bolder in their color choices. LaPorta says that people increasingly want rich colors, such as dark reds and purples, but forget that the darker or bolder the color, the more challenging the application.

“I’ve seen red rooms that require six coats of paint -- that’s a lot of time and money,” says LaPorta. “To enhance coverability, start with a solid primer like KILZ® Premium. You can make your job even easier by tinting the primer first with your top coat color.”

What’s My Motivation?

DIYers most commonly find home improvement inspiration from DIY programming on TV (48 percent), followed next by seeing the successful DIY endeavors of their friends and family (30 percent). When it comes time for them to launch into their own project, paint is top-of-mind. Sixty-one percent of DIYers choose paint before furniture, fabric or accessories when beginning a redecorating project. However, LaPorta says this is the opposite of how you should begin a project.

“Start with an existing piece of artwork or throw pillow and using that, select your wall colors,” says LaPorta. “If possible, bring your inspiration piece with you to the store to help mix and match color swatches and reduce the amount of time it takes to find that perfect color.”

Money in a Can

The most popular reason DIYers execute a home improvement project is because they enjoy it (40 percent), while only 10 percent say they do it to enhance the value of their home. LaPorta advises homeowners to recognize the impact a simple paint project can have on their house.

“For under a hundred dollars, a well-executed paint job can translate into thousands of dollars in resale value when it comes time to sell,” she says. “And most importantly, it adds value in terms of quality of life in your home.”