MINNEAPOLIS -- Home improvement and do-it-yourself projects increased last year as the pandemic took hold. New research shows what home improvements are planned in 2021, and how much homeowners will rely on professionals.

In a recent poll, 90 percent of respondents say they will spend as much or more time on home projects this year compared to 2020.

The survey, released by Axiom Marketing, shows the results of the company’s latest consumer poll, The 2021 Axiom Homefront Insights Survey, asking consumers about their recent projects, accomplishments and home improvement plans for the year ahead.

“We’re seeing home improvement continuing to grow in the coming year,” said Stacy Einck, Building Products Practice lead at Axiom. “There’s an appetite for learning and a sense of when it’s time to bring in help to get the job done.”

That expectation of growth is good news for home improvement professionals. It’s also a bright side of the pandemic, according to Einck. Overall, 56 percent of respondents said they will hire a professional for all or part of projects planned in the near future. The Southwest leads the country among homeowners planning to hire a professional for projects in 2021.

Among homeowners planning projects and hiring professionals, 42 percent will spend over $2,500, 22 percent plan to spend over $5,000 and 9 percent will do projects costing over $10,000. Results show investment levels by region as well.

The company’s research also aimed to learn more about the mindset and attitudes of people working on home improvement to help gauge the appetite for future projects. When asked about their confidence level around DIY projects, 44 percent of all respondents said they gained confidence doing recent projects, providing more self-assurance for taking on home improvements in the future.