The 12 Jobs of Christmas: Three in Four Irish Homeowners Rush to Get Their Homes Christmas-Ready

New Chadwicks Group research reveals Christmas visitors put our homes firmly in the spotlight

• Over three quarters (76%) have rushed to complete a home improvement or repair job before Christmas
• 76% also say Christmas visitors make them notice jobs or imperfections around the home they had previously ignored
• 67% have started a home improvement project because someone was coming home or visiting for Christmas
• Almost half (47%) have contacted a tradesperson before Christmas only to discover they had left it too late
• 98% of tradespeople say earlier planning generally leads to a smoother or better home improvement experience
• Chadwicks Group reveals its ‘12 Jobs of Christmas’, helping homeowners get ahead of the jobs that make a home Christmas-ready

More than three quarters (76%) of Irish homeowners say hosting guests at Christmas makes them notice unfinished jobs and flaws around the home. That’s according to new research from Chadwicks Group, Ireland’s leading builders’ merchant, which reveals how the festive season puts homes under extra scrutiny.

From long-ignored repairs to rooms in need of a refresh, the arrival of Christmas guests it seems can quickly bring unfinished jobs into focus. Over three quarters (76%) of Irish homeowners have rushed to finish a home improvement or repair job before Christmas while more than half (67%) admit to starting a home improvement project specifically because family or friends were coming home or visiting for Christmas.

With Chadwicks and The Panelling Centre branches located across Ireland, Chadwicks Group supports home improvement projects of every size, from those smaller jobs on the Christmas to-do list to kitchens, wardrobes and larger home upgrades.

There’s No Place Like Home for Christmas

 When it comes to getting the house Christmas-ready, the sitting room takes centre stage, with a third (34%) saying it is the part of their home they are most conscious of having finished or looking its best, followed by the kitchen (17%) and dining room (13%).

Whether it’s a quick fix or a bigger festive refresh, Chadwicks Group is encouraging homeowners to think about their Christmas to-do lists early and give themselves plenty of time to get their homes ready for the festive season.

To help homeowners get ahead of their festive to-do lists, Chadwicks Group has identified its 12 Jobs of Christmas, bringing together everything from smaller jobs that can give the home a quick lift to larger projects that require more planning and should be started well in advance. Across Chadwicks and The Panelling Centre, homeowners can access products and expert advice to help tackle projects of all sizes.

1. Give the Kitchen a Christmas Refresh – Give cabinets a quick update with new handles or a colour change
2. Get the Sitting Room Guest-Ready – A fresh coat of paint can give the room an instant lift
3. Bring Back the Good Room – Add character with on-trend wall panelling
4. Freshen Up the Bathroom – Small swaps such as a new toilet seat, towel rail or accessories can make a difference
5. Deck the Halls – Brighten up a busy hallway with a new coat of paint.
6. Fix Those Doors – Replace tired handles or tackle those loose hinges and locks
7. Get the Spare Room Ready – Some new paint and a few soft furnishings can make it feel guest-ready
8. Tackle the Little Jobs – Hang those pictures, fill the cracks and finally tick off the niggling jobs
9. Sort Out the Storage – Plan ahead for shelving, wardrobes or built-in storage to help clear the Christmas clutter
10. Choose New Flooring – Explore your flooring options and plan ahead to find the perfect choice for a well-used room
11. Light Up Christmas – Replace any tired bulbs and keep a few spares at the ready for the festive season
12. Fix the Plumbing – Sort those dripping taps and plumbing niggles before the house fills up

Making a List? Check It Twice, and Plan Ahead

 While the Christmas deadline can be a great motivator, the research also highlights the value of planning ahead. Almost half (47%) of homeowners have contacted a tradesperson about a pre-Christmas job only to discover they had left it too late. Among those, 30% had to postpone the job until the New Year.

A little forward planning can make all the difference, with 98% of tradespeople agreeing that earlier planning generally leads to a smoother or better home improvement experience.

Commenting on the findings, Claire Irwin, Quantity Surveyor and Room to Improve contributor, said: “Christmas has a way of giving us a deadline for all those jobs around the house we’ve been meaning to tackle. When family and friends are coming over, it’s natural to want your home looking and feeling its best, whether that’s refreshing the sitting room, getting the spare room ready or finally sorting those smaller jobs on the list.