Britons delay home and life upgrades due to perceived effort

A national poll of 2,000 adults has found that six in ten Britons have delayed making improvements to their homes, careers or personal lives. The primary reason given was the belief that the effort required would not be worth the outcome. The survey was conducted by OnePoll.com and commissioned by Smart Energy GB.

Common delays and regrets

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The poll revealed that 42% of respondents had put off decluttering their homes, while 41% delayed redecorating. Nearly two in five postponed carrying out repairs. Smaller but still significant numbers avoided energy-saving measures: 19% did not switch energy suppliers, 13% skipped improving home insulation and 9% did not opt for energy-efficient lightbulbs.

Career changes also faced delays. Eighteen per cent of those surveyed had postponed applying for a new job or making a career shift, citing concerns about the trouble involved. Fitness routines were another common casualty, with 28% deciding against starting a new exercise regime due to the perceived time commitment.

A quarter of respondents said they had avoided trying something new because reviews left them doubtful about the results. One in five admitted they had delayed actions simply because they assumed the disruption to their routine would be too great.

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Outdated information and missed opportunities

The survey found that 56% of adults believe outdated information is a key factor preventing people from making improvements. Twenty-two per cent said this directly influenced their own decisions about whether to make a change. This may explain why 42% of respondents regretted putting off an improvement to their home or life.

Among the most common regrets were not eating more healthily (31%), not reaching out to people they had not spoken to for a while (26%) and not tackling life admin (20%). Thirty-six per cent recognised that the problem became worse over time as a result of delaying, while 34% admitted it caused unnecessary stress.

“We’ve all done it, decided something’s going to be a faff before we’ve even given it a go, then let it drag on for months, sometimes years. But honestly, more often than not, once you’ve taken that first step it’s much easier and more rewarding than you’d imagined.”

Anna Richardson, TV presenter

Smart meters as a case study

Smart Energy GB, which commissioned the research, highlighted smart meters as an example of a change people often delay. While seven in ten households now have a smart meter, some have not yet taken up the offer of an installation. The organisation stated that four in five smart meter owners are happy with their device.

A spokesperson for Smart Energy GB said that recent technical fixes and new industry standards introduced in 2026 have improved the experience for customers. They added that smart meters can help households save money on energy bills, feel more in control of spending and eliminate estimated bills.

The survey also found that 45% of respondents regretted not taking better steps to manage their energy use at home. Forty-six per cent believed they may have paid more than necessary as a result, while 41% worried they had wasted energy without realising.

What happens next

Smart Energy GB continues to encourage households to consider installing smart meters. The organisation has stated that the process is straightforward and that the benefits include better control over energy use and potential cost savings. It is unclear whether further national campaigns will be launched to address the broader issue of delayed improvements.