New research from Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies analyzed 20 years’ worth of data within the remodeling industry. According to the analysis, U.S. remodeling activity increased significantly during the Covid-19 pandemic. In 2023, homeowners spent over $600 billion annually making improvements, replacing broken systems, repairing damage or conducting routine maintenance on their properties, up from $400 billion in 2019.
As for industry growth, the number of residential remodeling contractor establishments grew by a quarter between 2017 and 2022, reaching over 128,000 businesses.
The geographic distribution of remodeling establishments has also increased within the 20 years, with the largest growth happening in states that had the fewest to begin with, according to the report. The number of remodeling establishments per 100,000 people doubled between 2012 and 2022 in Louisiana, Kansas, Texas and Hawaii, while increasing by 25% or less in Maryland, Virginia, Missouri and West Virginia.
