Poll Reveals Canadian Homeowners' Desire to Outsource Household Chores
A recent poll conducted by Toronto-based landscaping designer Action Home Services has uncovered a significant trend among Canadian homeowners: a strong desire to outsource everyday household tasks. The survey, which involved 1,800 participants last month, highlights that chores like cleaning, laundry, and yard maintenance are seen as burdensome, with many willing to pay for external help to improve their quality of life.
Top Chores Canadians Want to Delegate
When asked which tasks they would most like to outsource, respondents provided clear preferences. House cleaning emerged as the top choice, with 72% of those polled expressing a wish to hire someone else for this duty. Yard maintenance, such as mowing the lawn, followed closely at 68%, while meal preparation (52%), laundry (46%), and snow removal (41%) rounded out the top five. Additional chores like grocery shopping, home repair, decluttering, and running errands were also mentioned as areas where Canadians seek assistance.
Participants described these tasks as physically demanding and time-consuming, often consuming entire weekends. This sentiment underscores a growing frustration with the daily grind of household responsibilities, which many believe detracts from personal well-being and leisure time.
Reasons for Seeking Outside Help
The survey delved into the motivations behind this desire to outsource. A significant 24% of respondents cited achieving a better work-life balance as their primary reason, while 22% pointed to mental health concerns. Another 18% sought a reduction in stress, indicating that emotional and psychological factors play a crucial role in this decision. Only 14% mentioned time savings as a key driver, with others highlighting reduced physical strain and more family time as benefits.
This data suggests that for many Canadians, outsourcing is not merely about convenience but about enhancing overall life satisfaction and health. The pressures of modern living appear to be pushing homeowners toward solutions that alleviate daily burdens.
Barriers to Hiring Help
Despite the strong interest in outsourcing, several barriers prevent Canadians from taking the plunge. Cost is the most significant obstacle, with 74% of those surveyed stating they cannot afford to pay for such services. Nearly half, at 48%, feel they should be able to handle these tasks themselves, with older homeowners in particular viewing self-sufficiency as part of their identity.
Other factors include a lack of trust in others to perform the work well (44%), uncertainty about who to hire, guilt over paying for help, and a desire to maintain control over how tasks are completed. These concerns highlight the complex interplay of financial, personal, and social considerations that influence household management decisions.
Social Perceptions and Judgement
The survey also explored how Canadian homeowners perceive social judgement when it comes to hiring help. Among respondents, 34% reported being sometimes concerned about being judged for outsourcing tasks, while 28% feel they are judged occasionally. Only 20% said they are rarely judged, and 18% expressed no concern at all. This indicates that while outsourcing is becoming more accepted, social stigma remains a factor for many, potentially deterring them from seeking assistance.
Overall, the poll paints a picture of Canadian homeowners grappling with the demands of household upkeep, seeking ways to balance responsibilities with personal well-being, yet facing practical and psychological hurdles in doing so.
