Remodel of the Week: Stunning Whole-House Renovation in Middleburg, Va.

BOWA’s recent whole-house renovation in Middleburg, Virginia, exemplifies a transformative approach to modernizing a dated property while preserving its original footprint. The homeowners, recognizing the need for extensive updates, collaborated with BOWA and Studio 360 to reimagine the space. Key enhancements included reconfiguring walls to improve flow and natural light, replacing all doors and windows, and refreshing wood flooring throughout the home. The kitchen was expanded with a bump-out and a new service station featuring a wine cooler, while the first-floor powder room was relocated for better accessibility. Additional touches,…

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ABC: Tariffs Drive Surge in March Construction Materials Prices

​In March 2025, construction input prices rose by 0.5%, marking the third consecutive month of significant increases, according to an analysis by Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Nonresidential construction input prices experienced a slightly higher uptick of 0.6% for the month. While crude petroleum prices declined during this period, the decrease was offset by substantial price hikes in natural gas, steel, copper, and lumber. Notably, the prices of iron and steel, steel mill products, and copper wire and cable each surged by over…

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Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA)

​The Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity (LIRA), developed by Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, offers a short-term forecast of national spending on home improvements and repairs for owner-occupied homes. By analyzing a weighted average of eight key economic indicators—including home sales, housing starts, retail sales at building material suppliers, and home prices—LIRA estimates the annual rate of change in remodeling expenditures over a four-quarter horizon. This tool aids in identifying potential turning points in the home improvement business cycle and is updated quarterly. Notably, LIRA focuses exclusively on owner-occupied…

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NGBS Green Remodeling Certification: Enhancing Sustainability in Residential Renovations

The National Green Building Standard (NGBS) Green Remodeling Certification, administered by Home Innovation Research Labs, offers a structured pathway for homeowners and builders to integrate sustainable practices into residential renovation projects. This certification emphasizes improvements in energy and water efficiency, aiming to reduce environmental impact while enhancing home comfort and durability. The program accommodates a range of project scopes, from minor updates to comprehensive renovations, across various residential structures, including single-family homes, townhouses, and multifamily buildings. Certification levels—Bronze, Silver, Gold, or Emerald—are awarded based on the extent of green practices…

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In Win for NAHB, Canadian Lumber Exempt from Trump’s Global Reciprocal Tariffs

In a significant development for the U.S. housing industry, President Trump announced on April 2, 2025, the imposition of a 10% baseline tariff on all of America’s trading partners, with the notable exceptions of Canada and Mexico. This decision is particularly impactful as Canada supplies approximately 85% of U.S. softwood lumber imports, constituting nearly a quarter of the nation’s available supply. The exemption of Canadian lumber from these new tariffs is expected to mitigate potential cost increases in home construction and support housing affordability. While this exemption provides immediate relief,…

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2025 Remodeling Impact Report Highlights Homeowner Satisfaction and Cost Recovery

The 2025 Remodeling Impact Report, released by the National Association of Realtors® (NAR) and the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), reveals that homeowners derive the most satisfaction from adding a primary bedroom suite, upgrading the kitchen, and installing new roofing—each earning a perfect Joy Score of 10. In terms of cost recovery, replacing a steel front door offers the highest return at 100%, followed by closet renovations at 83% and new fiberglass front doors at 80%. These findings underscore the value homeowners place on both personal enjoyment and…

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Remodeling Market Sentiment Down in the First Quarter

​Despite a five-point decline in the first quarter of 2025, the NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) remains in positive territory at 63, indicating that more remodelers view market conditions as good than poor. Rising homeowner equity and limited opportunities to move into other homes continue to support the home improvement market and keep remodeler sentiment positive. Notably, small remodeling projects under $20,000 maintained a strong index score of 76, reflecting steady demand in this segment. “Rising homeowner equity and limited opportunities to move into other homes is still supporting…

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Where do builders and remodelers buy building products?

According to recent NAHB surveys, specialty retailers, lumber yards, and wholesale distributors are the primary sources for building products, collectively accounting for about 70% of purchases by both builders and remodelers. Lumber yards are particularly favored for structural materials like plywood, sawn lumber, and engineered wood products. Notably, remodelers are three times more likely than builders to shop at home improvement centers, especially for hand and power tools, which are commonly purchased by both groups at these outlets. NAHB explains one major difference between builders and remodelers was the share…

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Shifting Trade Policies Reshape Building Material Market

Evolving trade policies and tariffs are reshaping the landscape for building materials, prompting innovation and new sourcing strategies in the construction industry. While costs for items like lumber and steel have risen, the focus is shifting toward strengthening domestic production and improving supply chain resilience. These changes may lead to more stable pricing and increased opportunities for local manufacturers in the long run. According to the NAHB, moving forward, we will continue working with all relevant stakeholders to roll back tariffs on building materials, boost sawmill production and increase the…

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Renovation rebound: Home remodeling is on the rise

​Home renovation spending in the U.S. is projected to hit $509 billion in 2025, surpassing the previous record of $487 billion in 2023, as homeowners increasingly opt to renovate rather than move amid high mortgage rates and limited housing inventory. Many are leveraging significant home equity gains—averaging $150,000 over the past five years—to fund improvements, with nearly half of mortgaged homes now considered “equity-rich.” Popular projects include kitchen remodels, bathroom upgrades, and HVAC installations, which not only enhance daily living but also offer substantial returns on investment. According to The…

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