A recent survey conducted by House Method, an organization that provides expert research on home-service providers for consumers, polled 1,000 American homeowners with experience in home renovations to better understand their sentiments about the renovation process and to learn the details about the overall outcome of their project.
The remodeling trends that emerged from the data showed that the bathroom was the most popular room to renovate, with the kitchen coming in as a close second. The largest demographic of renovators was made up of Gen X, those born between 1965-1980, and millennials, those born between 1981-1996.
Reality did not always align with expectations. Nearly half of homeowners extended the completion deadline past their original timeline and 80% reported going over budget by at least $500.
Are rising mortgage rates, a volatile housing market and inflation the motivating factors behind the trend to renovate versus buying? Area contractors say the remodeling trend is prevalent in the Springfield area, along with other parts of the county.
Curt Trampe, owner of DreamMaker Bath & Kitchen, 3730 Wabash Ave., said that area home sales may have slowed slightly, but the market is still strong. When there’s movement in the housing market, it’s good for business, because people want to make changes to their existing homes. “We have not seen a drop-off in business; it’s not as crazy as it was last year, but it is still strong,” he said. Trampe said his company is currently scheduling five months out, which is a manageable pace, since it allows time to order and receive materials.
Paula Ryan, owner of Paula Ryan Designs, 3149 Hedley Road, said it seems people are still doing home renovations that were ideas generated during the beginning of the pandemic when people were inside their homes more than usual. She