A new survey shows that 45% of consumers are planning significant home improvement spending in the next two years, while a further 27% are planning a "refresh" such as painting and decorating.
The research was conducted in partnership with Core Research as part of the March 2026 Credit Union Consumer Sentiment Survey research.
It found that nearly 40% of respondents said the difficulty of moving to a more suitable home is playing a significant role in these plans.
It also showed that 49% of respondents said they have undertaken significant home improvements in the past two years.
The Credit Union said the perhaps surprising resilience of planned spending on home improvements in the face of weaker consumer sentiment likely owes much to needs-based refurbishments.
The latest sharp rise in oil prices may be causing some consumers to plan energy-related upgrades of their homes. Enhanced SEAI grants could be another factor in this regard, it added.
Credit Union loans are the most common source of borrowing for home improvement loans, the survey also found.
David Malone, CEO of the Irish League of Credit Unions, said the survey suggests that even in challenging times, Irish consumers want and need to maintain and improve their homes.
"It is encouraging that the local credit union is regarded as the most important source of lending for home improvements. This type of support is at the heart of what credit unions do every day," he added.
"With two in five consumers saying that problems in finding a suitable or affordable property are playing a key role in their home improvement spend, the sentiment survey sheds further light on continuing problems in Ireland's housing market," economist Austin Hughes noted.
