While construction employment has mainly recovered from pandemic setbacks, wage and permitting trends give insight on which market is the strongest for remodeling and construction business owners and workers. While across the board construction workers report a median annual wage of $58,360. This is about 18% higher than the $49,500 median for all U.S. workers.While looking at the Construction Coverage analysis of BLS & BEA data,  Illinois leads with median annual wage of $79,328. This trend stays true across the Midwestern states,  Minnesota, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Ohio rank in…
Read MoreMonth: November 2025
Inside Laura Lubin’s Artful Tennessee Home Renovation
Interior designer Laura Lubin’s renovation of her former Tennessee home, now owned by a new family, transformed an already beautiful residence into a seamless blend of sophistication, warmth and modern comfort. The new homeowners, who fell in love with the home’s architecture and decor, enlisted Lubin to expand and reimagine the space, turning a screened patio into a versatile keeping room that connects naturally to the rest of the house. Lubin approached the project as a study in balance—merging refined, Italian-villa–inspired design with casual Southern charm. The result is a…
Read MoreThe 2026 Color Palette Home Builders Should Embrace
Designers predict that gray-green will define interior color trends in 2026, blending sophistication with warmth. This shade offers the perfect balance between cool and cozy tones, reflecting a connection to nature while maintaining modern versatility. From olive green cabinets that add refinement to kitchens, to soft mint tones that evoke calm in bathrooms, gray-green serves as a timeless neutral that complements nearly any aesthetic. Its grounding quality brings serenity and balance, making it ideal for spaces where homeowners want elegance and comfort to coexist. When styling gray-green, designers suggest experimenting…
Read MoreThis bathroom design is in high demand
Remodelers find that open-concept wet bathroom design is in high demand for its balance of accessibility, functionality and style. So much so that a reported one in six renovated bathrooms adopt this style. This is reported that 41% of new remodels value with aging household members. The defining features that gravitate many clients are low-curb or curbless showers, non-slip flooring,grab bars and built-in seating. The room layout of these bathrooms are an integral part of the design. Remodelers often prioritize large format tiles through 12 x 24-inch rectangles. Additionally it…
Read MoreU.S. Countertop Market set to reach USD 32.44 Billion by 2030
The U.S. countertop market is entering a new era defined by sustainability, innovation and performance. Valued at $28.65 billion in 2024 and projected to reach $32.44 billion by 2030, the market’s steady growth is driven by remodeling trends, design innovation and advances in manufacturing efficiency. Consumers are increasingly choosing materials like sintered stone and high-performance porcelain, which combine visual appeal with durability, hygiene and eco-conscious features. As manufacturers like Neolith, Caesarstone and Cosentino lead in education and product innovation, sustainable and low-maintenance surfaces are reshaping both residential and commercial spaces.…
Read MoreTariffs to drive up home remodeling prices
New tariffs on imported cabinets, vanities and lumber will make costs rise for remodelers nationwide, and in turn rise for their clients. Some remodelers have avoided relaying this cost to their buyers. However, with additional tariffs going into place in the start of 2026, some simply don’t have the margins for wiggle room. Melina Meyer, project manager with Coast Design and Build elaborated, “Say, for instance, a kitchen right now that is running between 35 to $50,000, is going to jump, starting at 45 to $65,000,” said Meyer. Meyer said…
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