The landscape of home ownership is constantly evolving, even more so as an increasing number home owners embrace smart home technology. A recent consumer survey from Frontdoor, Inc. reveals that smart home devices are becoming more ubiquitous with home ownership, with 94 percent of homeowners considering themselves early adopters of new technology.
The survey also shows that technology plays another important part to homeowners, by being an important factor in facilitating convenient access and communication with tradesmen and contractors. According to the data, 84 percent of homeowners tend to avoid household repairs, and look to technology to remedy this need.
Key Survey Findings on Smart Home Adoption:
- Across all demographics, homeowners agree (63%) that technology can facilitate better connections with contractors, streamlining the process of household repairs and maintenance.
- Approximately two-thirds (61%) of homeowners currently own a smart home device, with Gen Z and Baby Boomers leading the charge. Notably, 87% of Gen Zers and 77% of Baby Boomers currently own smart home tech, compared to 61% overall.
- Both Gen Z and Baby Boomers, the two generations most likely to own smart home products, overwhelmingly agree that this technology has made their home life better across all responses. Three-fifths of Gen Z show particular enthusiasm in appreciating the helpfulness (71%) and time-savings (70%) of smart home tech.
- Smart home products have proven most beneficial in aiding home management tasks for Gen Z homeowners. Seventy-one percent (71%) find them helpful in keeping track of scheduled repairs and maintenance (compared to 33% overall), and 67% use them to manage their homes while they are away (compared to 32% overall).
- For Baby Boomers, the most helpful smart home elements include being alerted to potentially unseen problems in their home (49% compared to 32% overall) and the ability to set preferences throughout the house (49% compared to 33% overall).
Empowering Homeowners Through Smart Home Technology
The survey shows the most significant benefit of smart home technology lies in the ability to fully manage households digitally by overseeing chores and setting preferences throughout the home. This technological revolution is transforming how homeowners approach domestic tasks, making everyday life more convenient and efficient.
Seeking Trustworthy Experts and New Opportunities
While many homeowners feel they have experts to rely on for household needs, a significant percentage is still on the lookout for a reliable repair person. Sixty-six percent (66%) of homeowners claim they are seeking a go-to home expert, with 80% of homeowners in the Northeast actively looking for a new repair person.
When considering new services, online reviews are an important and a trusted resource for many homeowners, with 84% at least somewhat relying on them. Additionally, less than half (46%) of homeowners agree they possess all the necessary tools to address most home repair needs. Furthermore, nearly half (48%) of homeowners admit feeling overwhelmed by the maintenance their home requires of them.
OnePoll, on behalf of Frontdoor, Inc. conducted a survey of approximately 2,000 recent U.S. homeowners aged 18+ who became homeowners in the past five years. The survey was conducted from July 16 – 22, 2023 with a margin of error of +/-3%.
