WASHINGTON - According to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), the Remodeling Market Index (RMI) held steady at 57 in the fourth quarter of 2013. This is the same level as the third quarter of 2013 and the highest reading since the first quarter of 2004.

An RMI above 50 indicates that more remodelers report market activity is higher (compared to the prior quarter) than report it is lower. The overall RMI averages ratings of current remodeling activity with indicators of future remodeling activity.

"The remodeling industry ends 2013 on a high note as remodeler confidence holds steady at a historically high level," said NAHB Remodelers Chairman Bill Shaw, GMR, GMB, CGP, a remodeler from Houston. "We expect to keep this positive momentum going in 2014 as more home owners will continue to take on remodels and repairs that had been postponed in the downturn."

The RMI's future market conditions index rose from 56 in the previous quarter to 58, the highest reading since the inception of the series in 2005. Three of the four major components of the RMI's future market conditions index increased in the final quarter of 2013. Calls for bids increased from 56 to 59, the amount of work committed for the next three months from 52 to 54 and appointments for proposals from 55 to 59. The backlog of remodeling jobs fell one point to 59.

The current market conditions component of the RMI declined two points to 56 this quarter.

"Steady existing home sales, historically favorable interest rates for home buyers and rising home equity have combined to release some of the pent up demand for home remodeling from the past few years," said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. "This quarter's RMI reading shows that the slow but steady improvement in the remodeling market will continue in 2014."

For more information about remodeling, visit www.nahb.org/remodel.

ABOUT THE RMI: The RMI is based on a quarterly survey of professional remodelers, whose answers to a series of questions were assigned numerical values to calculate two separate indexes. The first index gauges current market conditions and is based on remodelers' reports of major and minor additions and alterations, plus maintenance work and repairs, on both owner- and renter-occupied dwellings. The second index summarizes indicators of future remodeling activity and is based on remodelers' responses to questions about calls for bids, amount of work committed for next three months, job backlogs and appointments for proposals.

ABOUT NAHB REMODELERS: NAHB Remodelers is America's home for professional remodelers, representing the more than 24,000 remodeling industry members of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). Founded in 1982, the organization provides information, education and designation programs to improve the business and construction expertise of its members and to enhance the professional image of the industry. Its membership incorporates 148 local councils in 45 states. Learn more about remodeling at www.nahb.org/remodel.

Follow NAHB Remodelers on Twitter: @NAHBRemodelers.

ABOUT NAHB: The National Association of Home Builders is a Washington-based trade association representing more than 140,000 members involved in home building, remodeling, multifamily construction, property management, subcontracting, design, housing finance, building product manufacturing and other aspects of residential and light commercial construction. NAHB is affiliated with 800 state and local home builders associations around the country. NAHB's builder members will construct about 80 percent of the new housing units projected for this year.

Source: NAHB