The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies’ 2025 report, Improving America’s Housing, highlights a significant surge in home improvement and repair spending, which soared to $611 billion in 2022—a 51% increase from $404 billion in 2019. Although there was a slight decline of 0.3% in 2023, expenditures remained substantially higher than pre-pandemic levels. This sustained investment is attributed to factors such as increased home equity, the aging housing stock, and the shift toward remote work, prompting homeowners to adapt their living spaces to new needs. The report anticipates that remodeling…
Read MoreDay: April 30, 2025
From Tile to Toilets, Home Renovation Costs to Rise as New Tariffs Take Effect
Home renovation costs are poised to rise significantly due to new tariffs implemented by the Trump administration, as reported by USA TODAY. These tariffs affect a wide range of imported materials and products commonly used in home improvement projects, including items like marble, tiles, and appliances. Industry professionals have already observed price increases and supply chain disruptions, leading to project delays and cancellations. For instance, Kevin Twitty, a designer based in Portland, Oregon, noted a 25% increase in renovation costs and mentioned that some clients are pausing their projects due…
Read MoreRemodel of the Week: Val Collective
Val Collective, based in Hickory, North Carolina, earned the 2025 National/Regional Remodeler of the Year Award from the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) for their transformative work on the “Cottage on 7th” project. This 1934 home was reimagined to suit the dynamic lifestyle of a mother-daughter duo, blending modern aesthetics with the residence’s original charm. The renovation involved significant structural updates, including replacing much of the foundation’s sill band and girders. The interior layout was reconfigured to add a third bedroom and an additional bathroom, enhancing the home’s…
Read MoreDIY, Professional Home Improvement Spending Varies by Homeowner Age, Housing Type
The Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies’ 2025 report, Improving America’s Housing, reveals significant disparities in home improvement spending between do-it-yourself (DIY) and professional projects, influenced by homeowner demographics and housing characteristics. In 2023, homeowners in the lowest income quintile (earning under $37,500) spent an average of $2,300 on improvements, whereas those in the highest quintile (earning over $172,000) spent approximately $9,100. High-income homeowners also invested nearly three times more in DIY projects and over four times more in professional renovations compared to their lower-income counterparts. Age and housing…
Read MoreTop Remodeling Projects for Homeowner Satisfaction and Cost Recovery
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), in collaboration with the National Association of Realtors®, released the 2025 Remodeling Impact Report, highlighting the top remodeling projects that bring homeowners the most satisfaction and the best cost recovery. Projects like adding a primary bedroom suite, upgrading the kitchen, and installing new roofing received perfect Joy Scores of 10, indicating high homeowner satisfaction. In terms of cost recovery, installing a new steel front door led with a 100% return, followed by closet renovations at 83% and new fiberglass front doors at…
Read MoreNAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI)
The NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) is a quarterly survey conducted by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) to gauge the health of the U.S. residential remodeling market. It comprises two main components: the Current Conditions Index, which assesses the present market for large, moderate, and small remodeling projects, and the Future Indicators Index, which evaluates the rate of incoming leads and project backlogs. Each component is scored on a scale from 0 to 100, with a score above 50 indicating that more remodelers view conditions as good…
Read MoreNational Home Remodeling Month Toolkit
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) celebrates May as National Home Remodeling Month, offering a comprehensive toolkit to support remodelers, local councils, and consumers. This initiative aims to highlight the benefits of hiring professional remodelers and to promote industry best practices. The toolkit includes customizable resources such as press releases, social media graphics, public service announcements, and educational materials, all designed to enhance public awareness and engagement . For remodelers and local home builder associations, the toolkit provides a step-by-step guide to effectively plan and execute promotional campaigns. Suggestions…
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