unveiled findings from its third annual Houzz & Home Survey, providing the housing market is on the rise and landscape professionals are among the most popular service providers.
The annual survey covers historical and planned projects, the motivations behind these projects and the impact of the economy on home remodeling, building and decorating plans. The study yielded data at the national, regional and metropolitan area level, which Houzz used to examine regional differences in priorities and spending. The survey was emailed to registered Houzz users between January and March. It garnered 135,000 respondents in the U.S.
Landscape professionals highly sought after
While bathrooms and kitchens are the most popular renovation projects again this year—with 26 percent of respondents planning a bathroom remodel or addition, and 22 percent planning a kitchen remodel or addition in the next two years—30 percent of homeowners planning projects in the next two years plan to hire a landscape professional. Moreover, landscape professionals are reportedly among the most popular service providers, with 17 percent of providers being landscape contractors and 13 percent being landscape architects/designers.
Adding to the attention on the Green Industry, patio or landscape addition or renovations have been among the top five projects completed in the past five years, with 22 percent of homeowners having completed one at an average cost of $9,545.
Those who remodeled the exterior of their home in the past five years were most likely to add a new lawn, plants, trees (64 percent); a new deck or patio (46 percent); grading/leveling/terracing of yard (32 percent); new fencing (29 percent); new structure like a shed, pergola, arbor (24 percent).
Homeowners optimistic about housing market, local economies
Liza Hausman, VP of community for Houzz, spoke to the investments homeowners are making in their homes and how that’s relative to an improved housing market—three quarters of homeowner said their local housing market has improved.
“Rather than opting to move, the majority of Houzz homeowners undertaking renovation projects are choosing to do so because they want to stay in their home, not because they can’t afford to move,” Hausman said. “Significantly more homeowners on Houzz are able to fund their remodeling projects this year compared with last year, and we see them investing to create a home that meets their needs now and for the long-term. … The investment that people make in their homes is not only a financial one, it’s also a very emotional one.”
The survey showed a drop in the percentage of homeowners who said funding their renovation project or staying on budget was a challenge this year (19 percent versus 27 percent in 2013). And those who report a significantly improved local housing market are more than twice as likely to remodel (42 percent) than they are to move (16 percent) in the next two years.
Other U.S. Findings include:
- Top challenges for homeowners renovating are finding the right products (39 percent), defining their style (28 percent), making decisions with spouse/partner (25 percent) and educating themselves (22 percent);
- Homeowners who plan to hire a professional service provider over the next two years are most likely to hire a general contractor (52 percent) and a carpet/flooring professional (34 percent); and
- In addition to paint (45 percent), respondents are most likely to purchase accessories (36 percent), lighting (35 percent), and interior furniture (31 percent) in the next six months.
To download the full report, visit Houzz.com.
