It's tough work building homes in the tropical heat of the Top End.

Key points: NT homeowners who pay $2,000 for renovations get $6,000 from the NT Government

NT homeowners who pay $2,000 for renovations get $6,000 from the NT Government About 1,000 businesses have registered to take part in the $30 million scheme

About 1,000 businesses have registered to take part in the $30 million scheme But economists warn taxpayers will eventually wear the cost

But amid the economic uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic, builder Peter MacFarlane still has a smile on his face.

"The last couple of weeks, we would have had at least 20, maybe 30, different enquiries of jobs of all different shapes and sizes," the owner of Darwin-based company PMAC Construction said.

The increased demand can be attributed to a NT Government offer that seems almost too good to be true.

Territory homeowners who spend $2,000 of their own money on renovations are being given up to $6,000 from the government.

The main requirement is that the work be done by a registered business in the Territory, to ensure local tradies are given a chance to survive the COVID-19 crisis.

Workers and property owners also have to abide by social distancing regulations.

So far, almost 1,000 businesses have signed up to scheme, with some reporting a significant boost in work.

Darwin builder Peter MacFarlane said in the last few weeks, his company had about 30 different job enquiries. ( ABC News: Michael Franchi )

NT COVID-19 snapshot Cases detected in the NT: 30

Cases detected in the NT: 30 Tests conducted: 5,527

Tests conducted: 5,527 People recovered: 28 Get the latest information from the SecureNT website.

"There's people out there that possibly wouldn't have taken on these jobs previously," Mr MacFarlane said.

"But now, with such a generous grant from the government, there's definitely a lot of people wanting to take advantage of it."

A tough few years for NT business

For Adrian Moscheni, owner of Straitline Blinds in Darwin, the Home Improvement Scheme has been a lifeline.

Like many other businesses, he's had to endure tough trading conditions over recent years because of the Territory's sluggish economy.

The pandemic was the last thing he needed.

Adrian Moscheni from Straitline Blinds said people who'd been sitting on quotes for six months were now booking jobs. ( ABC News: Michael Franchi )

"Two years of hard yakka, and now compiled with this coronavirus, is a real bitter pill to swallow," Mr Moscheni said.

Ever since the Government announced its scheme, customers have been coming back, he said.

"People [with] quotes going back as far as August last year [who] had been sitting on their quote and not sure what to do, have rung and said: 'Let's go'."

The Home Improvement Scheme — one of several COVID-19 stimulus packages launched in the NT — will cost the cash-strapped Gunner Government $30 million.

Treasurer Nicole Manison said the NT Government needed to do all it could to prevent job losses.

"We are telling Territorians now, if you go out and use the Home Improvement Scheme, you are actually helping save a Territorians job," Ms Manison said.

$30m handout not free money

Economist Rolf Gerritsen said the Territory Government, which had overseen ballooning debt levels during its reign, was in a bind.

"If they do nothing, unemployment will go up, and you will increase your social costs," the professorial research fellow from Charles Darwin University said.

"So they have to do something and worry about the budget [later], assuming they get re-elected in August."

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Treasurer Nicole Manison, pictured with Infrastructure Minister Eva Lawler, said the NT Government needed to do all it could to prevent job losses. ( ABC News: Michael Franchi )

But Mr Gerritsen said the $30 million handout was not free money for recipients.

"The taxpayer ultimately has to pay that back," he said.

"So for the individuals who have the money … it's good. But for the generality of taxpayers, it's not good."

Mr Gerritsen also warned the sudden increase in demand could lead to a surge in prices.

"Subsidy schemes artificially inflate demand," he said.

"And [when] you have a fixed supply of tradesmen or builders, the tendency is for the builders and tradies to up their prices slightly."

How do I get tested in the NT? If you can't contact or get to your GP, but you have the symptoms, you should call 1800 008 002

If you can't contact or get to your GP, but you have the symptoms, you should call 1800 008 002 This is a dedicated NT-wide coronavirus (COVID-19) number for people who need to arrange testing only

This is a dedicated NT-wide coronavirus (COVID-19) number for people who need to arrange testing only If you live in Darwin and need to arrange testing, call the Public Health Unit on 8922 8044

If you live in Darwin and need to arrange testing, call the Public Health Unit on 8922 8044 Patients who are tested should remain isolated at home until they receive their test results

Patients who are tested should remain isolated at home until they receive their test results For general advice, Territorians can call 1800 020 080 Latest information from SecureNT website