As whispers across the industry point to a remodeling surge, a new study finds homeowners are more likely to utilize HELOCs to fund these projects. HELOCs or Home Equity Lines Of Credit, are showing more promise as interest rates for homes are slowly dropping. “A single Fed cut won’t thaw the sales market overnight, but it could still act as a powerful catalyst by channeling money into home improvements instead.” said Allaire Conte at Realtor. “That money, in turn, could be a lifeline for the housing market of tomorrow.” A…
Read MoreAuthor: Sofia Feeney
The best market for residential construction
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 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 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…
Read MoreHow remodelers can boost their marketing
As the industry grows, each remodeler needs to stand out in their marketing. Comrad Digital Marketing gives their insights on how remodelers can grow their online presence to attract new customers. Many clients will Google or ChatGPT, “best remodeler near me,” and go with the first result. Being visible in the online atmosphere is key to being trusted in the eyes of clients. Quality digital marketing starts with a quality website. It includes the basics like who you are and what you do. Do you specialize in kitchen remodeling? Or have…
Read MoreHardwood and lumber companies ask for tariff relief
Hardwood and lumber companies across the U.S are asking for federal support because of the effect of tariffs on their businesses. The Hardwood Federation sent out a letter to the Secretaries of Agriculture, Commerce, Treasury and the United States Trade Representative. This was sent on Oct. 14, the same day the tariffs took into effect. In the letter the Hardwood Federation cited issues in hardwood exports including how fom 2022-2024, hardwood exports product exports decreased $930 million and hardwood lumber exports fell 20% or $663 million. They also included the…
Read MoreRemodel of the week: Vineyard Haven
Originally built in 1873, the three-story, nearly 5,800-square-foot home needed an aesthetic and structural remodel. The Victorian residence in Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts received many mismatched renovations as it changed owners throughout the years. Only interior designers Vineyard Decorators, were initially brought into the project. However when the homeowners discussed how unlivable the space felt to their lifestyle, Martha’s Vineyard Engineering & Design were brought in for architecture and engineering and D. Best Construction handled the renovation construction. “This project was probably the most unique of its kind because I would…
Read MoreBuilder confidence rises
Builder confidence upticks to highest reading since April. This is supported by 50-point breakeven mark for future sales expectations. Despite market and macroeconomic hesitations the building and remodeling industries remain resilient. As The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and their NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) relays this positive trend. “The HMI gain in October is a positive signal for 2026 as our forecast is for single-family housing starts to gain ground next year,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell from just above 6.5%…
Read MoreBuilding envelope market size
In 2024, the North America building envelope market size was valued at 35.24 billion. By 2034 growth is projected to reach 60.63 billion by 2034. This reflects a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 5.58% from 2025 to 2034. High-performing envelopes are the most effective way to reduce the thermal needs of buildings.For both home builders and remodelers, building with high performance in mind is shifting from a luxury to a standard. Top products in the market include insulation materials, cladding systems and roofing systems. According to Precedence Research, “North…
Read MoreAIA home design trends survey
The American Institute of Architects (AIA) released their Home Design Trends Survey (HDTS) results for Q3 2025. The survey is conducted quarterly by consulting a panel of 300+ residential architecture firms. It allows architects to discuss upcoming trends in residential design. This survey is then used to relay these trends throughout the construction and remodeling industry. The home design survey addresses different areas like products, special room functions, systems and technology and special features. The most important products revealed is low maintenance materials with 48% of respondents reporting its popularity. Smart…
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