Remodeling market down, but remodelers expect recovery

Two-thirds of remodelers say their market is worse than it was a year ago, but at the same time they’re seeing some relief on the horizon, according to the latest Professional Remodeler survey.

Sixty-seven percent of remodelers said their local market conditions have gotten worse over the last 12 months, compared with 19 percent who said

Remodelers tend to be an optimistic lot, though, and most are expecting things to get better next year, with 57 percent predicting an improvement in the market and only 11 percent saying things will worsen in 2010.

The lone exception to this optimism is the Midwest. Only 46 percent of remodelers there are expecting a better 2010, and 20 percent say the downturn will continue over the next year. It’s the only region of the country where more than 10 percent expect the market to worsen.

Although 67 percent of remodelers say the market is worse now than a year ago, only 11 percent expect it to continue to worsen over the next 12 months.

The biggest factor in improving the remodeling market will be increasing confidence, remodelers say.

We asked remodelers to rank several factors on the importance in driving a recovery in their local market. Consumer confidence topped the list, with nearly 90 percent of remodelers ranking it in the top three. Coming in second was “Consumers’ inclination to spend rather than save,” followed by availability of financing, increased housing values, higher employment and fewer foreclosures. Not surprisingly, these are all factors that drive consumer confidence.

Nearly half of companies have seen a substantial decrease in their average job size over the last year, and more than three-quarters have seen at least some dip.

More than 40 percent of remodelers report an increase in  competition this year, with new construction firms’ jumping into remodeling being the top culprit.

Anecdotally, it’s not hard to understand why so many companies are struggling this year. Take fewer leads, a lower close rate and smaller job sizes, then toss in increased competition in many markets and you’ve got a recipe for disaster.

The numbers back the stories. Most remodelers are seeing significant drops in average job size. Nearly half of remodelers reported a “substantial” drop in average price tags from a year ago, and 77 percent saw at least some decrease. Only 11 percent of firms had an increase in average job size over the last year.

Leads are down for 72 percent of companies, compared with the 15 percent of companies that are getting more leads. And once they get those leads, remodelers are finding it harder to close the deal, with 64 percent saying their close ratio has dropped over the last 12 months (although 13 percent did report higher close ratios).

Many remodelers are also seeing more competition. More than 40 percent of companies reported an increase in competitors. The recession also seems to be knocking some companies out of the market, though, as 36 percent of firms said the number of their competitors has decreased.

Of those companies that are facing increased competition, 68 percent are dealing with new home builders; 57 percent, former trade contractors; and 53 percent, former employees of new construction and remodeling firms. Ten percent said they are seeing increased competition from other sources, such as unemployed DIYers and college students.