The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) released their NAHB/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) for the first quarter of 2026, indicating remodelers are remaining positive in the market. While the survey reported at a 62, a two point decrease from the Q4 report, NAHB holds that the sentiment of remodelers is still in steady place. Looking at the bigger picture, the reporting of 62 in Q1 is still stronger than Q2 (59) and Q3 (60) in 2025, despite new economic headwinds.
“Ongoing positive remodeler sentiment is consistent with the NAHB outlook, given an aging housing stock and the lock-in effect of elevated mortgage rates keeping owners in their homes,” said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. “In the first quarter, remodelers reported that 21% of their projects were associated with home improvements made shortly after a purchase, while only 4% were for homeowners’ projects to ready a home for sale.”
Graphic Credit: NAHB
