The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) found that remodeling spending rose 0.9% in May and 8.1% since 2025. Over the next decade, NAHB forecasts the remodeling sector to expand by more than 30%. The clientele is there; is your current business optimized for this market? Whether you are a contractor, remodeler, builder, or home improvement professional, Bestbath is hosting a roundtable discussion on how bathroom remodels can bring more revenue into your business. In this webinar, we’ll explore how this avenue can be the profit center for your business,…
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The construction employment gap: metros vs. rural towns
Suburban and rural communities rely on residential construction employment. According to an analysis by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) construction employment data, there is a major gap in reliance on the construction industry between major metros and rural communities. This is more prominent in the West, with home building accounting for a major share of the local economy than it does nationally in 92.6% of counties in Oregon, 91.3% in Washington and 89.5% in Utah. This comes after residential construction employment…
Read MoreConstruction retains hiring momentum in June
According to an Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) analysis of data by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the construction industry added 11,000 jobs in June 2026. On a year-over-year basis, industry employment has expanded by 64,000 jobs, an increase of 0.8%. “Today’s jobs report was full of positive signs,” said ABC Chief Economist Anirban Basu. “The nonresidential segment continued to add jobs in June and has grown several times faster than the economy-wide average over the past 12 months. At the same time, the supply of labor appears adequate…
Read MoreABC Green Home developer, Nick Slevin returns to NBC Water Zone Podcast
Nick Slevin, the developer of the ABC Green Home project, returned to NBC’s Water Zone podcast with Robb Starr. Slevin breaks down the evolution of the ABC Green Home Project, from its inception as a challenge to industry standard “greenwashing” to building homes that comfortably beat California’s strict Title 24 codes by 40%. Slevin details how third-party certifications are shifting real estate appraisal values, how major production builders are successfully transitioning to sustainable footprints and shares low-cost, high-impact retrofits that any homeowner can implement to cut immediate utility costs. Tune…
Read MoreRenovation demand carries residential construction spending
According to recent data released from the U.S. Census Bureau, residential construction spending is up 0.3% from April and increased 1.8% year-over-year. This is largely attributed to an increase in remodeling spending, which rose 0.9% in May and 8.1% year-over-year. Remodeling was the only sector to report a monthly increase, with both new residential construction and multifamily construction reporting a 0.1% dip. “Improvement spending has been on an upward trend since the beginning of 2025, supported in part by the aging housing stock and sustained demand for renovation,” said Catherine Koh, an economist at the National…
Read MoreExisting-home sales expected to total 4.10 million
According to Realtor.com’s 2026 Housing Forecast Midyear Update, existing-home sales are expected to total 4.10 million as year-over-year growth improves in the second half of the year. Existing-home sales steadied in April before climbing in May. Year-to-date, existing-home sales are currently just 0.2% ahead of their prior year pace. The report expects growth to pick up in the second half of 2026, though by less than originally forecasted. As a result, existing-home sales are expected to grow 1.0% to an annual total of 4.10 million. The May existing-home sales data…
Read MoreSummer bathroom remodeling trends
Summer is the prime season for renovations. As the temperature rises outside, homeowners begin to turn their attention to their interiors. The bathroom is one of the most used spaces in a home and clients are looking for spaces that are stylish, easy to live with and designed around everyday routines. Walk-in showers remain one of the most requested bathroom features in renovations. A walk-in shower can make the room feel more spacious, especially when paired with large-format tiles and clear glass screens. For homeowners looking ahead, they can also…
Read MoreRemodel of the Week: Highland Ridge Remodeling
Highland Ridge Remodeling turned an underused dining room into a comfortable, luxurious primary suite and renovated the main bathroom to improve comfort and functionality. Located in Milwaukie, Ore., the project features thoughtful renovations designed for longevity. Like many homes that have been well-loved over time, the clients’ layout began to feel less practical for the way they wanted to live moving forward. Their primary bedroom was upstairs and getting more difficult to access. Rather than relocate, the clients and builder turned their attention to the dining room, which was rarely…
Read MoreRemodel of the Week: Blackdog Builders
Blackdog Builders gave a second life to this kitchen in this 1970s home. Located in Hollis, New Hampshire, the original layout felt undersized, lacked natural light and failed to make the most of the peaceful, tree-lined views beyond the windows. The goal was not to overhaul the house, but to create a space that felt intentional, functional and in harmony with the setting, while working within the constraints of the existing structure. Rather than building outward to disrupt the home’s clean lines, the solution came from rethinking what already existed;…
Read MorePool trends that are transforming backyard living
The backyard pool has evolved from a simple place to cool off into something far more sophisticated. Today’s homeowners envision their pools as complete outdoor living destinations that deserve the same amount of care as the inside of a home. This transformation reflects broader lifestyle shifts: the desire to maximize home value, create resort-quality experiences at home and integrate technology into every aspect of daily life. Traditional pool designs used to rely on an all-or-nothing experience, meaning a person was either submerged in water or completely out of the water.…
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