Editor's note: This article appeared in the April 11, 2011, edition of Quirk's e-newsletter.

The arrival of spring brings not only warmer weather but also spring cleaning and the undertaking of do-it-yourself (DIY) home improvement projects. Much to the chagrin of home improvement stores, the DIY home improvement market has seen a 21 percent decline from 2005-2010, according to data from Chicago research company Mintel. More than a quarter of DIYers say they would like to undertake a major renovation or addition to their home but simply don't have the funds.

Surprisingly, the percentage of high-income consumers who can't afford renovations is even greater. Thirty-two percent of DIYers in households making $75,000-$99,999 say they lack the money to undertake a major home improvement project. Meanwhile, 17 percent of those surveyed who have completed a DIY project in the last year say they lack the skills to tackle a major renovation and 12 percent don't have the proper tools.

Despite their monetary shortcomings, consumers have a positive view of home improvement projects. In fact, 39 percent of DIYers say making a major home improvement is the best long-term investment they can make. Furthermore, 61 percent of consumers say they've completed a DIY project in the last 12 months and the average respondent has undertaken a little over four projects.