NAHB Releases Remodeling Data for Counties Nationwide

With the remodeling segment leading the housing industry back to recovery, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) on Thursday released a list of the top counties for annual remodeling expenditures; at the top of the list was California's Los Angeles County at $8.4 billion, while Massachusetts' Nantucket County ranks highest in spending per household at $8,520.

"Residential remodeling is one of the housing industry's bright spots, and in some parts of the country this is more true now than ever," said NAHB Remodelers Chairman George Moore Jr. with Moore-Built Construction & Restoration Inc. in Elm Grove, La. "The level of remodeling activity varies by region and town, but homeowners throughout the country are increasingly choosing to renovate their homes or build additions to meet their changing lifestyles."

The average value across all counties nationwide for annual remodeling expenditures is $66 million. By region, joining the West's Los Angeles County at the top of this list are:

• Midwest: Cook County, Ill.: $4 billion
• Northeast: Nassau County, N.Y.: $1.9 billion
• South: Miami-Dade County, Fla.: $1.7 billion.

The average amount spent on remodeling projects per household nationwide is $1,907. Joining the Northeast's Nantucket County at the top of the list are:

• West: Marin County, Calif.: $7,782
• South: Falls Church City, Va.: $6,099
• Midwest: Cook County, Ill.: $3,466.

"Nationally, we're forecasting a continued increase in the demand for residential repairs and improvements," said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. "Based on our analysis of the remodeling spending numbers, we are able to identify areas of the country where our members can take advantage of this growing opportunity. The county estimates also include useful information on the local conditions that influence remodeling spending-particularly the number, age and value of owner-occupied homes."

A list of the top counties for remodeling by region can be viewed at www.nahb.org/topremodelingcounties. To search remodeling data for all counties nationwide, visit www.nahb.org/countydata.