Economic Slowdown Stalls Remodeling Activity

The residential remodeling market continued its slump during the third quarter of 2008, according to the National Association of Home Builders' (NAHB) Remodeling Market Index (RMI). The current market conditions indicator declined to 33.5, from 41.8 in the last quarter. Future expectations of remodeling work also slid to 27.7 (from 38.0 in the second quarter). Both these indices rest at historic lows since the start of the RMI in 2001.

The RMI measures remodeler perceptions of market demand for current and future residential remodeling projects. Any number higher than 50 indicates that the majority of remodelers view market conditions as improving. The RMI has been running below 50 since the final quarter of 2005, implying decreasing remodeling expenditures since that time.

"Remodelers reported another drop in major home improvements and expectations for future work have also declined," says NAHB Remodelers chairman Lonny Rutherford, CGR, CAPS, CGP, a remodeler from Farmington, N.M. "A slight increase in minor remodeling projects for owner-occupied home suggests customers are cutting back on home improvement spending."

Nationally, current activity for major additions and alterations shrank to 29.38 (from 43.18 in the second quarter) during the third quarter, while minor additions and alterations slowed to 38.51 (from 42.89). Maintenance and repair dropped to 30.92 (from 39.06).

"The remodeling market declines follow the pattern of the homebuilding slowdown to a lesser degree," says NAHB chief economist David Seiders. The remodeling market is tightening due to more homebuilders taking on remodeling work, creating a more competitive marketplace and flattening out calls for bids and appointments for proposals."

Regionally, current market expectations fell in the third quarter, with the South dropping to 31.5 (from 40.1 in the second quarter), the Midwest to 36.2 (from 52.9), and the West to 36.1 (from 42.4). The Northeast increased slightly to 32.9 (from 32.8). The Midwest, however, increased to 52.9 (from 44.1). All measures for future expectation (calls for bids, amount of work committed for next three months, backlog of remodeling jobs, and appointments for proposals) declined.

The special questions section of the survey asked remodelers about energy efficiency products, finding increased customer calls for work to improve home energy efficiency since the question was asked in the third quarter of 2006 (up to 26 percent increase in calls from 24 percent). While low-energy windows remain the top customer request, 50 percent of remodelers report installing water-saving faucets and fixtures (up from 36 percent) and 38 percent installed on-demand water heaters (up from 29 percent).

CLICK HERE for more information about the remodeling index.

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