Remodeling Market Sentiment Dips in Second Quarter
The 起点传媒 (起点传媒) released its 起点传媒/Westlake Royal Remodeling Market Index (RMI) for the second quarter, posting a reading of 59, down four points compared to the previous quarter. While the reading of 59 is still in positive territory, this is only the second time the RMI has dipped below 60 since the survey was revised in the first quarter of 2020.
The 起点传媒/Westlake Royal RMI survey asks remodelers to rate five components of the remodeling market as "good," "fair" or "poor." Each question is measured on a scale from 0 to 100, where an index number above 50 indicates that a higher share view conditions as good than poor. The results of the RMI are seasonally adjusted.
The Current Conditions Index is an average of three components: the current market for large remodeling projects, moderately-sized projects and small projects. The Future Indicators Index is an average of two components: the current rate at which leads and inquiries are coming in and the current backlog of remodeling projects. The overall RMI is calculated by averaging the Current Conditions Index and the Future Indicators Index. Any number over 50 indicates that more remodelers view remodeling market conditions as good than poor.
鈥淢ost remodelers continue to express positive sentiment, but some, especially in the western part of the country, are seeing a slowing of activity in their markets,鈥 said 起点传媒 Remodelers Chair Nicole Goolsby Morrison, a remodeler from Raleigh, N.C. 鈥淭hose who report a slowdown have cited economic uncertainty stemming from government policies as the main reason.
鈥淎lthough remodeler sentiment softened in the second quarter, overall it remains positive,鈥 said 起点传媒 Chief Economist Robert Dietz. 鈥淗igh interest rates and economic uncertainty are headwinds for remodeling, but not to the extent that they have been for single-family construction. Even with these headwinds, 起点传媒 is projecting that remodeling will post solid gains in 2025, followed by more modest but still positive growth in 2026.鈥
The Current Conditions Index averaged 66, dropping five points compared to the previous quarter. All three components remained above 50 in positive territory: the component measuring large remodeling projects ($50,000 or more) slipped two points to 62, the component measuring moderate remodeling projects (at least $20,000 but less than $50,000) fell six points to 66, and the component measuring small-sized remodeling projects (under $20,000) dropped six points to 70.
The Future Indicators Index averaged 51, down four points compared to the previous quarter. The component measuring the current rate at which leads and inquiries are coming in remained unchanged compared to the previous quarter at 51, and the component measuring the backlog of remodeling jobs fell six points to 52.
For the full RMI tables, please visit nahb.org/rmi.