According to the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Home Building Geography Index (HBGI), single-family construction declined across nearly all major metros in Q2 2026. The data reported that densely populated metro counties continued their fifth quarter of decline and fell 13.9%. However, the decline was not as steep compared to the previous quarter’s 15.8%. The smaller markets, noted as outlying counties in small metro areas and the microcounty, saw improvements. The outlying counties in small metro areas grew for the first time in a year, posting a reasonable 0.9%…
Read MoreNews
Remodel of the Week: Silver Oak Remodel
Silver Oak Remodel transformed a dark home with a segmented floor plan into a warm, open retreat. The result is filled with natural light, thoughtful craftsmanship and timeless design. Located in Brookfield, GA, the original home’s layout offered little light, limited storage, and poor flow for the clients. The clients hoped for an open layout that encouraged visibility and improved daily function. The remodeler created a design direction centered on clean lines, warm textures and simplicity. To enhance functionality, more storage was added throughout the space. Each piece of custom cabinetry…
Read MoreFrom Dark to Dynamic
Second Time Around speaks to a flawless revamp and a larger industry trend The story behind Second Time Around reflects a larger trend in America and the remodeling industry: the silver tsunami. More than 70 million Americans are now aged 65. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, this demographic holds the cards in the housing market and is divided on aging in place, downsizing and some even upsizing. As baby boomers head towards their next chapter, the building and design industry prepares for this monumental shift in consumer demand. …
Read MoreRC Interview: Lisa Sallstrom, CEO, NARI
In the fall issue of Residential Contractor, Sallstrom discusses her goals as CEO, 2026 takeaways and outlook Residential Contractor: You assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) on June 30, 2026. Please describe your career journey leading up to your role as CEO. Lisa Sallstrom: I’ve spent more than 20 years in association leadership, much of that focused on strategy, membership, professional development, certification and organizational growth. Prior to joining NARI, I spent many years with the Association for Supply Chain…
Read MoreConstruction job openings rise to 326,000 in July
Construction sector jobs increased again in July, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Job Openings and Labor Turnover Survey. However, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) analysis is skeptical that a majority of the work is in residential construction. The positive is that construction jobs are up more than the previous month, at 326,000 in July compared to the June increase of 298,000. Notably, July’s postings are stronger than last’s year’s numbers of 305,000 jobs. Hiring in July increased from 3.8% to 4.4% and layoffs plateaued at 1.9%, while the…
Read MoreWhy you should join our free live webinar
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 &…
Read MoreHomeowners 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,…
Read MoreConstruction declines for SFBTR
According to recent analysis from the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) of the Census Bureau’s Quarterly Starts and Completions by Purpose and Design, construction of single-family build-to-rent (SFBTR) homes declined throughout 2026. Compared to single-family housing construction, SFBTR faces stronger headwinds from the cost of financing, increased multifamily supply and regulatory action. Q2 2026 (15,000) posted an estimated 3,000 fewer starts than Q2 2025 (18,000). NAHB’s analysis pointed out that over the past four quarters, SFBTR construction starts fell by about 16%. “While the market share of SFBFR homes is small,…
Read MoreHere’s what 20 years of data reveals about remodeling industry
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…
Read MoreRemodel of the Week: Blue Sound Construction
Blue Sound Construction had great bones to work with in this renovation, but the project needed a contemporary makeover. The original structure was designed by architect Ralph Anderson and the builder wanted to preserve as much of his spirit as possible in the renovation. A new floating staircase with solid wood treads was rerouted into a doug fir stringer; a true testament to craftsmanship. Throughout the stairs and living area walls, custom-made wood slats elongate the home, while replacing the original tambour panels added texture. Hot-rolled steel fireplaces add a…
Read More