Remodeling projects from Gen Xers on the rise, Houzz study finds
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PALO ALTO, Calif. - Renovating homeowners are purchasing more high end products and more likely to take on multiple projects in 2016, says Houzz quarterly report. GenXers are the a rising demographic for remodeling and home improvement.

Houzz Inc., a platform for home remodeling and design, today released the Q2 2016 Houzz Renovation Barometer, which tracks confidence in the home renovation market among industry professionals. The Q2 2016 Barometer reflected widespread quarter-over-quarter confidence for all industry sectors including architects, designers, general contractors/remodelers, design-build, specialty building/renovation and specialty landscape/outdoor, with readings of 63* or higher. Outlook for Q3 continues to be positive for all sectors.

Year-over-year increases in business activity across all sectors tend to be driven by older homeowners. Half or more firms across all sectors report an increase in activity of homeowners ages 35-54 so far in 2016, relative to the same period in 2015 (46-58 percent). Projects from Baby Boomers have increased for many as well (36-51 percent). Unsurprisingly, projects from Millennials are increasing at a slower rate, with 21-28 percent of firms across all sectors reporting growth in projects from this age group.

Looking at other factors driving increased business activity, a third or more firms across all sectors report that more clients are purchasing high-end products in 2016 relative to the same time in 2015 (32-49 percent), and a quarter or more of firms are seeing more clients are tackling multiple projects at the same time (22-48 percent). In addition, half or more firms report an increase in year-over-year kitchen and bathroom renovations (46-58 percent).

A third or more firms across all industry sectors report increases in smart home technology installations and aging-related upgrades (32-45 percent and 30-45 percent, respectively). Many firms also experienced growth in energy efficiency upgrades and eco-friendly/green projects (27-41 percent and 19-46 percent, respectively).

“Barometer readings over the past six quarters have shown consistent confidence in the home renovation industry, despite slight softening in some sectors,” said Nino Sitchinava, principal economist at Houzz. “The increase in Baby Boomer and Gen Xer activity, as well as an uptick in kitchen and bath activity, is consistent with our recent insights from other studies of homeowners and are a great sign of the vitality of our industry.”

Additional findings from the Q2 2016 Houzz Barometer include:

Widening gap in confidence across remodeling sectors

The Q2 2016 scores for architects, designers, and design-build companies are five to seven percent lower than the Q1 2016 scores, while scores of other sectors increased or stayed the same. Further widening in the confidence gap between architects and designers relative to other sectors (63-66 vs. 71-78) indicates that quarter-over-quarter market gains are not equally widespread across sectors.

Year-over-year gains persists, but with some market softening

The Barometer posted high year-over-year readings of 66-77 in Q2 2016, albeit somewhat below those in Q2 2015 for four of the five sectors. Scores for architects, designers, and design-build companies have declined four quarters in a row from a high of 75-80 in Q2 2015 to 66-73 in Q2 2016

Regional patterns consistent with national

Regional scores indicate widespread optimism that new business activity is continuing to improve quarter-over-quarter and year-over-year.

There are more than 1 million active home remodeling and design professionals on Houzz, including architects, interior designers, general contractors and design-build firms.

The full Q2 2016 Houzz Renovation Barometer can be found here. The next Houzz Renovation Barometer release date is October 19, 2016.
 

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Bill Esler | ConfSenior Editor

Bill wrote for WoodworkingNetwork.com, FDMC and Closets & Organized Storage magazines. 

Bill's background includes more than 10 years in print manufacturing management, followed by more than 30 years in business reporting on industrial manufacturing in the forest products industries, including printing and packaging at American Printer (Features Editor) and Graphic Arts Monthly (Editor in Chief) magazines; and in secondary wood manufacturing for WoodworkingNetwork.com.

Bill was deeply involved with the launches of the Woodworking Network Leadership Forum, and the 40 Under 40 Awards programs. He currently reports on technology and business trends and develops conference programs.

In addition to his work as a journalist, Bill supports efforts to expand and improve educational opportunities in the manufacturing sectors, including 10 years on the Print & Graphics Scholarship Foundation; six years with the U.S. WoodLinks; and currently on the Woodwork Career Alliance Education Committee. He is also supports the Greater West Town Training Partnership Woodworking Program, which has trained more than 950 adults for industrial wood manufacturing careers. 

Bill volunteers for Foinse Research Station, a biological field station staddling the border of Ireland and Northern Ireland, one of more than 200 members of the Organization of Biological Field Stations.