Remodelers make up about a fourth of all NAHB members and will have access to educational resources at the 2026 NAHB International Builders’ Show® (IBS). Taking place in Orlando from Feb 17–19, IBS offers remodelers opportunities to hone their skills and business practices through education sessions. The sessions for attendees include “Avoiding Costly Mistakes: Remodeling Project Management Best Practices,” hosted by Adam Finch from Melloul Blamey Construction, this opportunity will outline strategies for planning, scheduling, budgeting and delivering projects on time. A session on market outlook for 2026 will reveal…
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Remodeling rising to the top of the residential construction market
Remodeling activity including firms and employment is growing in the residential construction market. The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) analyzed the quarter-century of Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages (QCEW) data and found that the rise of remodelers is not a a short term trends, but a possible market shift. As the U.S. housing economy is currently unfavorable for middle class homeowners looking for starter or move-up homes. Life still happens to homeowners for example welcoming a child or need for multigenerational living, therefore the demand is there for more…
Read MoreTariffs on kitchen cabinets and lumber begin
Talk on tariffs affecting materials across the construction industry has taken over the past few months. This discussion is now a reality. On Oct. 14, the additional 10% tariff on softwood lumber and timber imports took into effect. This increases the current tariffs on Canadian lumber to a total of 45%. While duties on wood products from the UK will not exceed 10% and imports from European Union and Japan will not exceed 15%. Currently, up to 85% of all U.S. lumber imports hail from Canada. New rates will apply to…
Read MoreRemodeling market sentiment improves
The sentiment across the remodeling market is looking up. The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released their NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) for the third quarter. The survey results indicate a consistent uptick in morale from Q2. The Current Conditions Index (CCI) saw a two point increase from Q2 (66) to Q3 (68). This defies the index’s steady decrease since Q4 2024. The CCI is calculated by multiple factors including the current market for large remodeling projects, moderately-sized projects and small projects. The Future Indicators Index (FII), which accounts for…
Read MoreRemodeled Home Goes Light on Demolition, Heavy on Efficiency
The New American Remodel® 2026 takes a “soft remodel” approach, revitalizing a 1951 Winter Park, Florida home without stripping it down completely. Overseen by the Phil Kean Design Group, the project expands the house from 3,341 to 3,905 square feet while preserving much of its original structure. The remodel focuses on strategic design updates and product integrations that enhance livability, sustainability and performance, turning an outdated, inefficient property into a contemporary, eco-friendly residence. Energy efficiency is at the heart of the project, with advanced methods such as injected foam insulation,…
Read MoreSeven Key Principles for Universal Design
Universal design is attained when a home is built, crafted or remodeled in a way that makes function accessible to for all inhabitants regardless of age or condition. As a section of the remodel market expected to expand, there are seven important ways that apply to a home exhibiting universal design. 1. Equitable Use Design that accommodates everyone from aging grandparents to children with limited mobility. 2. Flexibility in Use Accounting for a wide variety and range of usage, whether tall or short. 3. Simple and Intuitive Use…
Read MoreResidential Remodelers Outnumber Single-family Builders in the U.S.
The number of residential remodelers in the U.S. hit a record high of 128,187 in 2022, 65% more than the 77,455 residential builders, according to new Census Bureau data. Remodelers have seen much faster growth than builders, rising 25% from 2017 to 2022 and 73% since 2007, while the builder count grew 12% and fell 21% over the same periods. Remodelers made up 62% of all residential construction businesses in 2022, continuing a trend that began after builders last held the majority in 2007. Read More
Read MoreRemodeling Market Sentiment Dips in Second Quarter
The NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index dropped to 59 in the second quarter of 2025, reflecting a slight decline in remodeling activity amid economic uncertainty and high interest rates. The Current Conditions Index fell to 66, with small and mid-sized projects seeing the biggest declines, though all project types remain in positive territory. Future expectations also dipped, as the backlog of jobs shrank, but remodelers still report steady leads and overall market confidence remains above neutral. Read More
Read MoreFraming Lumber Prices
Lumber prices continued their decline for the 11th straight week, with the framing lumber composite price falling to $424 per 1,000 board feet—the lowest since October 2024. Although prices are down 4.1% over the past month, they remain 13.1% higher year-over-year. U.S. lumber availability also hit a low not seen since 2019, as both domestic production and imports, especially from Canada, decreased in the first quarter of 2025. Read More
Read MoreProducer Prices Rise in May: New Construction Input Analysis
Prices for inputs to new residential construction rose 0.2% in May after a slight decline in April, with building materials increasing 0.1% month-over-month and 2.5% year-over-year. While energy input costs rose slightly in May, they remain nearly 10% lower than a year ago. Overall, input prices for residential construction are up 1.9% from May 2024, driven by modest increases in both goods and services. Read More
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