Want to know what makes a homeowner choose one professional over another for a kitchen renovation? Keen to find out their biggest challenges, or the most important elements they’d like to include in a kitchen redesign?
The results from the 2024 Houzz UK Kitchen Trends Report* should give you some insights into what influences clients’ decisions and how you can make sure your service ticks all their boxes.
*Percentages reflect the proportion of homeowners who are updating, or have updated, the kitchen as part of a completed, current or planned kitchen renovation during 2023-24
Which professionals do homeowners hire for their kitchen renovations?
Around half of the homeowners who responded to the 2024 Kitchen Trends Report used the services of a dedicated kitchen fitter or kitchen designer for their project. However, other professionals were also popular, with 40% hiring a builder and 32% appointing an architect.
Bespoke cabinetry is a popular choice, as nearly a third of respondents used a cabinet-maker or carpenter for their project. But it was the tradesperson category that most of the respondents found essential for their kitchen redesign, with 68% hiring electricians, painters, plumbers, stonemasons and similar.
How do kitchen renovation clients decide who to hire?
The majority of homeowners base their choice of professional on recommendations, references, and online reviews, as 70% of respondents said this was one of the most important factors when deciding who to hire. With that in mind, it makes sense to encourage happy clients to add a testimonial to your Houzz profile.
Experience with projects of a similar scope was also a big draw for clients (45%), so make sure you also upload images to your profile that show off your work and the services you offer.
What are homeowners’ biggest challenges before and during a kitchen project?
Apart from finding professionals they trust (67%), the two biggest challenges in the planning stage of a kitchen renovation were getting timely and accurate communication from their professional (43%) and getting an estimate or proposal with enough detail (41%).
A challenge the respondents had during their project was tracking budgets, expenditure and changes over time (31%).
What can pros do to make a kitchen renovation easier for clients?
Customers want clear communication from their professionals. They also want to be able to track their schedule and have greater transparency over costs. These were the top three things that would have improved the kitchen project experience for the respondents of our survey.
Houzz Pro management software can help with communication, as it allows professionals to update their customers in real time using a shared Client Dashboard. You might also find the budget tracking tools useful for easily updating costs, change orders and everything in between.
What functional elements are important to clients when designing their kitchens?
When it comes to functionality, the majority of our survey respondents (65%) said they wanted to be able to store and find things, while 38% said they wanted a space that’s easy to clean and disinfect.
For 44% of respondents, a multifunctional space for working, playing and living in is most important, while a third (34%) want a room where the entire family can gather. Other functions that are important are the ability to entertain (29%) and to cook large meals (24%).
Which kitchen design elements are most important for homeowners?
Aesthetics are central for many clients, according to our survey, with nearly two-thirds (61%) saying they want a space that’s stylish and beautiful. Nearly half of the respondents (44%) also said it was important that the kitchen integrates with the rest of the house, while a similar amount (43%) wanted the room to be filled with natural light.
Clever space-planning is also key for clients, with 40% of respondents saying they were looking for a design that maximises limited space.
A final thing to remember: listen to your clients carefully, as a generous 26% said it was important their kitchen reflects who they are.
