Remodeling Activity Booms and Project Wait Times Grow
The latest Houzz Renovation Barometer suggests you should reach out soon to design and remodeling pros to schedule work
Bryan Anthony
April 17, 2021
What a difference a year makes. Around this time last year, the country was gripped in the early days of the pandemic and home construction and remodeling businesses were reporting a precipitous decline in activity. Today, remodeling projects are moving forward full steam ahead and wait times to begin a project are growing at an accelerated rate.
Since many of us have spent more time in our homes over the past 12 months than ever before, we have a new appreciation for what works and doesn’t work about our living spaces. If you’ve been dreaming about improving your home, it might be smart to reach out to a design or remodeling professional as soon as you can to get the ball rolling.
Read on to discover some key highlights from the 2021 Q2 Houzz Renovation Barometer, which measures residential renovation market expectations, project backlogs and recent business activity. Then start your search for pros who can help turn your home remodeling dreams into reality.
Since many of us have spent more time in our homes over the past 12 months than ever before, we have a new appreciation for what works and doesn’t work about our living spaces. If you’ve been dreaming about improving your home, it might be smart to reach out to a design or remodeling professional as soon as you can to get the ball rolling.
Read on to discover some key highlights from the 2021 Q2 Houzz Renovation Barometer, which measures residential renovation market expectations, project backlogs and recent business activity. Then start your search for pros who can help turn your home remodeling dreams into reality.
A score higher than 50 indicates that more firms reported increases than decreases in their recent business activity.
1. Recent Renovation Activity Has Surpassed Pre-Pandemic Levels for Architects and Interior Designers
Since the start of the new year, more homeowners have been turning their attention to improving their homes. Residential construction firms, architects and interior designers have all seen a significant increase in recent renovation activity, according to the latest Houzz Renovation Barometer. In particular, architects and interior designers are experiencing a dramatic surge.
If you look at the chart above, you’ll see that architects and interior designers recorded a score of 75 for recent project inquiries and new committed projects in January, February and March. That’s the highest level of recent activity since the launch of the Barometer in the last quarter of 2014.
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1. Recent Renovation Activity Has Surpassed Pre-Pandemic Levels for Architects and Interior Designers
Since the start of the new year, more homeowners have been turning their attention to improving their homes. Residential construction firms, architects and interior designers have all seen a significant increase in recent renovation activity, according to the latest Houzz Renovation Barometer. In particular, architects and interior designers are experiencing a dramatic surge.
If you look at the chart above, you’ll see that architects and interior designers recorded a score of 75 for recent project inquiries and new committed projects in January, February and March. That’s the highest level of recent activity since the launch of the Barometer in the last quarter of 2014.
Find an architect on Houzz
Recent activity for home construction is also up and nearing pre-pandemic highs. The chart above shows that an increase in new project inquiries and new committed projects in the previous three months pushed the Recent Business Activity Indicator of the Barometer to 73 for construction firms, up 11 points from the previous quarter.
“The Barometer points to strong market conditions, diminishing the uncertainty experienced by residential remodeling and design businesses just one year ago,” says Marine Sargsyan, Houzz senior economist.
Search for a design-build firm
“The Barometer points to strong market conditions, diminishing the uncertainty experienced by residential remodeling and design businesses just one year ago,” says Marine Sargsyan, Houzz senior economist.
Search for a design-build firm
2. Wait Times to Start a New Project Are Rising
With more homeowners reaching out to construction firms, architects and interior designers to upgrade their homes, the wait time to start a new project is also on the rise.
If you look at the chart above, you’ll see that demand for construction services is strong, as the average wait time to begin a midsize project rose to 9.3 weeks. A year ago, the national average wait time was 5.4 weeks, meaning the average wait time is almost one month (3.9 weeks) longer than the same period last year.
With more homeowners reaching out to construction firms, architects and interior designers to upgrade their homes, the wait time to start a new project is also on the rise.
If you look at the chart above, you’ll see that demand for construction services is strong, as the average wait time to begin a midsize project rose to 9.3 weeks. A year ago, the national average wait time was 5.4 weeks, meaning the average wait time is almost one month (3.9 weeks) longer than the same period last year.
The average wait time for architectural or interior design services is also way up. If you look at this chart, you’ll see that there’s an average wait of 8.4 weeks to start a new project. This is the longest wait time recorded for these services since the launch of the Barometer in 2014.
Compared with a year ago, when wait times were 3.6 weeks, wait times are up more than a month (4.8 weeks).
“Businesses are faced with soaring homeowner demand along with lengthy permitting timelines, supply chain constraints and unrelenting labor shortages,” Sargsyan says. “These constraints likely contribute to industrywide wait times of more than two months before a business can begin a new project.”
Look for an interior designer
Compared with a year ago, when wait times were 3.6 weeks, wait times are up more than a month (4.8 weeks).
“Businesses are faced with soaring homeowner demand along with lengthy permitting timelines, supply chain constraints and unrelenting labor shortages,” Sargsyan says. “These constraints likely contribute to industrywide wait times of more than two months before a business can begin a new project.”
Look for an interior designer
3. Longer Waits Seen Nationwide
If you look at the two maps above, you’ll see that wait times nationwide to start a midsize project by construction firms, architects and interior designers range from roughly seven to 11 weeks (about two to three months), depending on the region.
Therefore, if you have dreams of renovating your house this summer, the time to start searching for a home builder, architect or interior designer is now.
Your Guide to a Smooth-Running Construction Project
If you look at the two maps above, you’ll see that wait times nationwide to start a midsize project by construction firms, architects and interior designers range from roughly seven to 11 weeks (about two to three months), depending on the region.
Therefore, if you have dreams of renovating your house this summer, the time to start searching for a home builder, architect or interior designer is now.
Your Guide to a Smooth-Running Construction Project
Let Houzz be your guide for remodeling inspiration and information. Browse project photos, read articles on the latest home design trends and use our vast directory of remodeling professionals to connect, plan and realize your renovation dreams.
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For those of us who hunkered down and tightened our belts over 2020 is there any idea of when pandemic pricing for remodeling materials will return to pre-pandemic levels or something more normal?
We have zero desire nor the funds to pay 500% more for the materials needed to renovate.
Two questions for remodelers and realtors out there:
1) if a bathroom does not have a tub (a trend these days), is it still considered a full bath? I recall it used to be called a 3/4 bath and wondering if that still holds.
2) Does a room have to have a built in closet to be considered a bedroom? Is it OK to put in large purchased wardrobes for clothing? (not an historic home; 1940)
Thanks for your expert opinions!
I am waiting since fall for the reno of my bath.. was scheduled, but Covid wrecked it so far, sigh! Have all the components but one, also due to Covid. At least I will have those ready when it starts...I heard about major delays in projects due to small items which were not available, like breakers! Well, we will see when it finally happens!