Why one in six couples consider splitting during home projects

Young couple having problems while renovating their apartment

Top sources of conflict in the Houzz report were staying on budget (37%), choosing products and finishes (31%), and agreeing on the project’s design (31%) (Image credit: Getty Images)

A dream project can quickly turn into a pressure cooker when love and logistics collide.

The 2025 UK Houzz Renovations and Relationships Report reveals that 16% of couples thought about separating or divorcing during a renovation.

Renovating a home adds layers of stress over money, style and decisions that can test even the strongest partnerships, but the report also found there are plenty of positives to a home project as well.

The hidden strain of renovation

Behind the dust and design decisions lies a strain few couples anticipate.

Disagreements over budget, materials and design often spiral into bigger conflicts about values, communication styles and priorities.

The report found that:

16% of couples overall considered separating or divorcing during a renovation.
20% of couples in relationships of five years or less thought about splitting, compared with only 7% of couples together for 30 years or more.
The biggest areas of disagreement were over paint colours (51%), flooring (47%), and furniture (38%).

“A home renovation is one of the most demanding journeys a couple embarks on together, with numerous decisions, budget considerations and trade-offs along the way,” said Marine Sargsyan, Houzz's staff economist.

Kevin Mccloud smiling sitting on a bench — *Kevin McCloud has also warned couples that taking on housing projects can lead to divorce* (Image credit: Fuelling Around)

Why the journey is still worth it

Despite the tensions, the majority of couples who make it through a renovation report feeling happier, more organised and more comfortable in their home.

Nearly nine in ten agreed the finished result made the challenges worthwhile, showing that shared goals can strengthen bonds.

Renovations, while stressful, can also be an opportunity for couples to learn how to compromise and collaborate more effectively.

Tools that turn conflict into collaboration

A living room with rooflights above and wooden flooring and white walls and ceilings — *When working with pros, couples most wanted clear communication (40%), transparent pricing (39%), and accurate timelines (35%)* (Image credit: Veronica Rodriguez Photography)

Experts suggest that visualisation tools, mood boards and planning their home renovations properly reduce friction by keeping everyone on the same page.

More than half of couples relied on compromise and nearly half used digital tools to help picture the end result before decisions were finalised.

Professionals who provide transparent pricing, realistic timelines and collaborative design options can play a vital role in keeping both the project and the relationship on track.

News Editor Joseph has previously written for Today’s Media and Chambers & Partners, focusing on news for conveyancers and industry professionals. Joseph has just started his own self build project, building his own home on his family’s farm with planning permission for a timber frame, three-bedroom house in a one-acre field. The foundation work has already begun and he hopes to have the home built in the next year. Prior to this he renovated his family's home as well as doing several DIY projects, including installing a shower, building sheds, and livestock fences and shelters for the farm’s animals. Outside of homebuilding, Joseph loves rugby and has written for Rugby World, the world’s largest rugby magazine.