Home lmprovement F\or Yrolects

The study, conducted to provide an insight into the thinking and attitudes of American consumer families regarding the costs-vs.-results aspecis oI do-it-yourselfi sm, reveals through joint husband-wife responses that they have definite ideas about improvements they ryould like to see.

Did You U,nderfoke Proiects?

In the study, the families first were asked: 'oHas your family undertaken one or more do-it-yourself projects to improve or decorate your house or apartment in tlre past year?" 94/o said "yes" while 6/o said'ono." (Only the responses of the interviewees who answered "yes" to this question and had answered all the subsequent questions were included in the study. )

Why Did You Do-lt-Yourself?

Next the families were asked: "Why did your family undertake the do-it-yourself project or projects?" Most prevailing responses were: l. To save money.

2. To improve the appearance of our home.

3. For enjoyment and relaxation.

4. To make use of leisure time.

5. Provide a sense of accomplishment.

6. Like to work with hands.

Sqtisfled With Results?

do you ogree?

Then they were asked: o'To what extent was your family satisfied with the results of these projects?" 3% were "always satisfied," 45/o were "usually satisfied," 48/o were "seldom satisfied" and, 4/o were o'never satisfied."

Whot Cqn Be Done?

To the question: "W'hat can be done to help your family achieve greater satisfaction with the results of these projects?," most prevailing responses were: l. Clear up mystery about uses of prodducts so I can purchase the most suitable materials every time.

How Much Spent?

Asked, "How much has your family spent on materials for do-it-yourself projects in the past year?," 2Vo said. "under $100," l2/o said 'o$100 to $199," 2l/o said "$200 to $294j' 43/o said "$300 to $399," l7/o said "$4OO tir $499" and 5/o said "500 or more."

How Much Soved?

Next the families were asked: "How much do you estimate your family has saved in the past year by doing these projects without hiring professional help?"

23,4o said "under $100," 29/o said "$l0O to $199," 16/o said "$200 to 8299," 13% said "$300 to $399," l2/o said "$400 to $499" and 7% said. "$500 or more." To the question, o'Do yo,r feel this saving was adequate, considering the time and efiort the projects required?," responses were: 16/o ooyes," '78/o "no" and 6/o "uncertain,"

How Con You Sqve More?

Then the families were asked: 'oWhat do you feel can be done to help your family save more money in do-it-yourself projects?" Most prevailing responses were: l. Give me edvice so I can buy the least costly products that will fill my needs. ll. Provide free parking that is adeguate and close to store.

2. Provide wider selection of products in all price ranges.

3. Save me time in store; arrange products so I can find things easily without hunting for them. Have stores charge reasonable prices.

Quote prices over the phone so I can comparison-shop more easily. Don't use fictitious 'ooriginal prices" when reducing prices. Don't make it difficult for me to return purchases which are unsuitable.

B. Stay open at night so I can shop when it's more cenvenient.

9. Have clerks readily available to answer my questions.

10. Offer durable, lasting merchandise.

Most American families are seldom or never satisfied with the results of their do-it-yourself home improvement projects and feel they're not saving enough through these efforts!

But they would undertake more projects and buy more materials for them if they were given more help by manufacturers and retailers, according to a nationwide study of more than 2}0N families.

The four-month study, made in all 50 states by the Research Department of the Panelboard Manufacturing Companyo Inc., of Newark, N.J. shows most families feel increased guidance from makers and sellers of do-it-yourself materials would help them stretch their shopping dollars farther and achieve better results in the projects.

2. Be more willing to give information about products over the phone.

3. Provide Information Centers where inexperienced do - it - yourselfers can get help.

4. Provide better-informed sales clerks who know all about the products.

5. Provide more booklets giving ideas and plans for home projects.

6. Make available additional easy-to-use materials for do-it-yourselfers who aren't highly skilled.

7. Provide literature and displays that tell more about products.

8. Make available more ready-to-assemble kits.

9. Hold classes on do-it-vourself techniques.

12. Provide all kinds of do-it-yourself materials in the same store so I ' don't have to shop all over town.

Would You Undertqke More Proiects?

Next the families were asked: o'Would your family undertake more do-it-yourself projects if you felt the results would be better?" 7l/o said, 'oyes," 6/o said o'no," 9a/o said "I think so" and l4/o were "not sure."

Asked whether they would undertake more projects "if your family could save more money" in the projects, 62/o oI the families said "yes," 4/o said "no," lI/o

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