BRITONS have spent about £58bn on home improvements in the past 12 months, according to a study.
Research conducted by Direct Line Loans found that 81 per cent of the UK's 17 million homeowners spent an average of more than £4,000 each on their properties.
It estimates this increased the value of housing stock by a total of £85.6bn.
More than 90 per cent of homeowners in the North-East carried out improvements to their property in the past year, the highest ratio in the UK.
However, they spent one of the lowest average amounts, of just over £4,000, a total of £2.6bn.
They can also expect the lowest increase in the value of their homes, an average of £6,448, putting an extra £4.1bn on the price of North-East property.
North Yorkshire came second in the home improvement spend league, with 87 per cent of residents carrying out work in the past year.
The most popular method of home improvement was redecorating, followed by new kitchens, extensions and loft renovations.
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