German DIYers are again investing more

The German population's inclination to invest in renovations around their house and garden has increased steadily during the course of the current year. As Hornbach explained in a press release, "This trend can be discerned from the demand for building materials." Projects involving heating and air-conditioning are particularly in demand, with sales increases of up to 60 per cent. Products for the building shell, and for major renovation or extension projects like loft conversions or bathroom renovations, are recording above-average sales. Here in some cases growth rates in the current financial year have come to between 10 and 20 per cent in comparison with last year. Installation service packages such as complete fitted kitchens or garage doors have even seen their figures more than double in the three-figure percentage area.