Dateline: May 13, 2006

New Government data shows that about two in five (18.3%) plan a major home improvement or repair in the next 6 months, but the budget for the project depends on how involved the homeowner would like to be.

 Do-it-yourselfers are allocating the least, $2,471, while those planning to do some of the work budgeting $4,986, and those relaxing and letting the professionals do the work have an average budget of $7,956.

Do-it-yourselfers
Paint/Wallpaper 48.8%
Flooring 44.1%
Lumber 31.0%
Lighting 22.5%
Sinks & Faucets 21.3%
Some-of-it-yourselfers
Paint/Wallpaper 55.9%
Flooring 42.8%
Lawn & Garden 27.0%
Lighting 25.4%
Doors & Windows 24.7%
None-of-it-yourselfers
Flooring 36.0%
Paint/Wallpaper 29.9%
Doors & Windows 24.2%
Roofing/Shingles 22.3%
Countertops 18.5%