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In today’s housing market, general contractors and remodelers face a persistent dilemma: how to scale revenue without stretching their existing businesses past their limits. The answer increasingly lies in targeted, high-margin residential niches, none more lucrative right now than bathroom remodeling. Driven by accelerating aging-in-place demand and a national shift toward practical home upgrades, bathroom renovations offer swift turnarounds and reliable profit margins. Yet entering or expanding within this category without a clear blueprint can quickly lead to operational friction and costly missteps. That is why the upcoming Lunch &…

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Homeowners prioritize smart upgrades over design trends

While design trends come and go, one theme remains: Homeowners are prioritizing upgrades that have long-lasting value. Rather than chasing aesthetic trends, contractors, designers and remodelers are recognizing a growing sense of urgency for functional, practical renovations among their clients. Flexible spaces are replacing single-purpose rooms as more homeowners work from home or need rooms that can be adapted into guest rooms. The kitchen remains one of the strongest places to invest, but the trend is less about oversized features and more about better function. Homeowners are choosing deeper drawers,…

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Daily living elevations drive Texas’ kitchen renovation activity

Texas is one of the three states driving up renovation activity, according to a recent analysis from the National Association of Home Builders. In Dallas, kitchen renovations are primarily driven by homeowners’ desire to enhance their daily routines, rather than strictly related to aesthetics. Homeowners want kitchens that support cooking, entertaining, storage and work-from-home routines while still looking cohesive with the rest of their residence. One of the top trends driving kitchen renovation activity is more hidden, smarter storage. Storage is one of the strongest reasons homeowners remodel a kitchen.…

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Homeowners plan for major investments within next 5 years

New research found that 66% of homeowners are planning for major investments within the next five years. Major investments entail many goals, from a big renovation or system upgrade to preparing a home for an eventual sale. Major renovation projects are a reflection of homeowners choosing to remodel and improve their forever home, rather than relocate. “Economic pressures, including inflation, high interest rates and income uncertainty, are likely driving this stay-put, let’s-just-improve-our-home mentality,” said Tammy Crosby, CEO of The House Designers in Monroe, Conn. Read Full Article

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Residential Contractor Editor’s Choice 2026 Products to be Announced

Residential Contractor will announce our picks for the Editor’s Choice Products in the Fall issue of the magazine, coming soon. These products and companies are selected for exemplifying innovation, quality, performance and value for today’s residential remodelers, specialty contractors and custom home builders. Additionally, two speciality awards will be presented for Jobsite Innovation and Jobsite Safety. From the structure and building envelope to interior finishes, mechanical systems and design technology, our 2026 Editor’s Choice selections highlight products we believe deserve a place on every residential contractor’s radar. Selected by the editors of Residential Contractor,…

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The evolution of bathroom remodeling in 2026

Modern bathrooms have evolved past basic functional use in 2026. Homeowners are renovating their bathrooms to feel brighter and more relaxing, prioritizing comfort above all else. Instead of cold, polished interiors, many modern bathroom remodels are focused on creating spaces that feel warm and inviting. Throughout 2026, bathrooms have become one of the most important spaces in the home; most clients begin and end their day in these spaces. As a result, comfort, functionality and, overall, atmosphere have become much bigger priorities during renovation projects. Durability is also playing a…

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Looking ahead to 2027 luxury renovation trends

For several years, luxury was defined by minimalism, including white interiors, clean lines, open spaces and an intentionally restrained palette. While those elements are not disappearing, homeowners are increasingly looking for something more personal. As 2027 edges closer, builders and designers are seeing a welcome shift in luxury renovation design trends. In Florida’s luxury homes, natural materials have become the new luxury. One of the strongest visible shifts is toward materials with genuine depth and character. Natural stone, warm woods, textured plaster, limestone, marble and other tactile finishes bring something…

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California, Texas and Florida drive remodeling activity

According to first-quarter results from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) State Projections of Remodeling (SPR), three states account for the largest shares of remodeling activity across the nation: California, Texas and Florida. In the first quarter of 2026, California led remodeling activity, accounting for 8% of the market at $22.2 billion. Texas followed close behind at $20.2 billion, or 7.3%, followed by Florida at $15.4 billion, or 5.5%. For market growth, the SPR identified five states as having the largest increases in remodeling spending in the first quarter:…

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Renovations drive small-town construction activity

Construction activity accelerated in Andover, Mass., during the first six months of 2026, primarily driven by renovations, roofing, insulation and home improvements. The town’s permit records show homeowners continued investing heavily in existing properties. Roof replacements, insulation and air-sealing projects, general alterations, kitchen and bathroom renovations, as well as window and door replacements accounted for much of the permit activity during the first half of the year. Roofing permits rose significantly from last year, while permits for insulation and energy-efficiency improvements also increased, suggesting homeowners continue to invest in maintaining…

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Bathroom renovations focus on practicality over aesthetic trends

In 2026, the most useful bathroom design trends are moving away from showroom-inspired looks and toward spaces that feel calm and organized. Rather than chasing short-term design trends, homeowners are prioritizing improvements embedded in personalization and practicality for their daily routines. That means choosing finishes that hold up, layouts that improve traffic flow and details that still look intentional years after installation. In primary suites, larger, more functional showers continue to lead bathroom remodeling decisions. Curbless showers create a cleaner visual line and can make a bathroom feel larger. They…

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