Painting and decorating, hanging pictures, and fixing hinges and door handles top the ‘Festive Fix’ list

Key Findings:

• 61% of homeowners carry out work on their home before Christmas.
• Motivators: Having friends and family coming to stay and more visitors in the house.
• Two-thirds set aside a specific budget for ‘Festive Fixes’.
• A third will spend up to €3,000 on repair jobs in the lead-up to Christmas.
• Over half of tradespeople (56%) have worked into the early hours to get a job done.
• 3 in 4 tradespeople admit to putting off work in their own home to prioritize customers.
• A quarter of tradespeople say they would work Christmas Eve to get a job done.

Home Improvements Before Christmas

Over 60% of homeowners will carry out work on their home before Christmas, with two-thirds setting aside a specific budget for a festive home makeover. That’s according to new research from Chadwicks, Ireland’s leading builders’ merchants.

The research into the nation’s ‘Festive Fixes’ reveals that:

• A third of homeowners will spend up to €3,000 on home repairs.
• Top jobs:
  • Painting and decorating: 74%
  • Hanging up photos or paintings: 44%
  • Fixing broken hinges or door handles: 34%
  • Putting up shelves: 25%
  • Replacing toilet seats: 20%

The arrival of family and friends is the key driver for a Christmas home makeover (53%), with 23% wanting their home to look perfect for the festive season.

When it comes to visitors, homeowners dread judgment the most from:

• Parents: 25%
• Friends: 24%
• In-laws: 20%

Impact on Tradespeople

Chadwicks surveyed 100 tradespeople, uncovering the demands of the festive season:

• 59% receive more requests than usual ahead of Christmas.
• Over half (56%) have worked into the early hours to finish a job.
• 3 in 4 tradespeople (77%) delay their own home projects to prioritize customers.
• Festive work commitments:
  • New Year’s Eve: 26%
  • Christmas Eve: 24%
  • St. Stephen’s Day: 16%
  • New Year’s Day: 12%

Nailing the Perfect Christmas Gift for Tradespeople

While a cash tip (61%) remains the most common gift, 25% of homeowners plan to give tradespeople a physical present.

Chadwicks offers a range of gift options starting at just €6:

• Maxiflex Ultimate Adapt Glove Palm Carded (€6.48): Durable gloves perfect for grip-intensive tasks.
• Luceco Flexible Headtorch + Motion Sensor (€19.99): Ideal for tradespeople working in low-light conditions.
• J Muff Ear Defender (€11.75): Provides hearing protection for jobs or hobbies like gardening.
• Scan Kneepads (€36.33): Heavy-duty gel kneepads for injury prevention.
• Scan Viper SBP Safety Boot (€45.57): Offers vital foot protection for heavy-duty tasks.

Not sure what to give? Chadwicks gift cards are available at all 38 branches nationwide.

Shop online for next-day delivery or click-and-collect at www.chadwicks.ie.