Bathrooms replace kitchens as top remodeling jobs

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).