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Bathrooms replace kitchens as top remodeling jobs
on May 8, 2012 @ 6:25 am (Updated: 10:47 am - 5/9/12 )
A new survey released by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) shows common remodeling projects have increased, compared to a similar survey from 2010.
Remodelers report that kitchen and bathroom projects remain the most popular remodeling jobs with homeowners increasingly upgrading both rooms and making major repairs as they decide to stay in their current homes longer.
Since 2009, bathrooms and kitchens have switched places in popularity, with bathroom remodels moving into the top spot as the most common type of remodeling project.
Nearly 50 percent of remodelers report seeing an increase in the number of homeowners who undertake remodels to avoid moving compared to the 2010 findings.
Both kitchen and bathroom remodeling projects were up 17 percent from two years ago, with bathroom remodels cited as a common job by 78 percent of remodelers and kitchen remodels at 69 percent.
Repairs and replacements of old components and the desire for upgraded amenities were cited as the top reasons for customers to hire a remodeler. More than 60 percent of remodelers reported increased demand for repairs and replacements of old components in the past two years, while more than half of remodelers said that the desire for upgraded amenities increased.
In contrast, more than 20 percent of remodelers said there was a decrease in customers remodeling to increase home values as an investment.
In addition to kitchens and baths, other popular remodeling categories included window/door replacements (44 percent), whole house remodels (35 percent), room additions (33 percent) and handyman services (31 percent).
Tom Kelly has been a professional journalist for 36 years. He served The Seattle Times for 20 years, many as Real Estate Editor.
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