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Professional Remodeler Project Preferences Survey – Summary Report
Last Modified: 12/07/2009
1. Which of the following BEST describes your company? Check one.
# Answer Response %
1 Full‐service remodeler 187 47%
2 Kitchen/bath specialist 18 4%
3 Design/build remodeler 52 13%
4 Exterior remodeler 5 1%
5 Commercial remodeler 13 3%
6 Insurance restoration 3 1%
7 Home repairs 6 1%
8 Builder that also does remodeling work
79 20%
9 Architectural or design firm 23 6%
10 Interior design firm 1 0%
14 Other specialty. Please specify: 14 3%
Total 401 100%
Other specialty. Please specify:
Architectural & General Contractor
architecture & building
Building Owner that does remodeling
Commerical Builder
decks
Full Service remodeler
GENERAL CONTRACTOR
Granite countertop and flooring Installations
Historical Restoration/Preservation
masonry and restoration
residential gutters
SUNROOMS
Windows,Bath,Kitchens
Windows/Doors
Statistic Value
Mean 3.91
Variance 12.89
Standard Deviation
3.59
Total Responses 401
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2. In what region of the U.S. is most of your remodeling business conducted? Check one.
# Answer Response %
1 Northeast (CT, ME, MA, NH, NJ, NY, PA, RI, VT
87 23%
2 Midwest (IL, IN, IA, KS, MI, MN, MO, NE, ND, OH, SD, WI)
91 24%
3 South (AL, AR, DE, DC, FL, GA, KY, LA, MD, MS, NC, OK, SC, TN, TX, VA, WV)
123 32%
4 West (AK, AZ, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, NM, OR, UT, WA, WY)
84 22%
5 Most remodeling business conducted outside of U.S.
0 0%
Total 385 100%
Statistic Value
Mean 2.53
Variance 1.14
Standard Deviation 1.07
Total Responses 385
3. What is your company's annual installed dollar value (labor and materials)? Please provide
your best estimate.
# Answer Response %
1 Less than $500,000 73 19%
2 $500,000 to $999.999 135 35%
3 $1 million to less than $2 million
103 27%
4 $2 million or more 74 19%
Total 385 100%
Statistic Value
Mean 2.46
Variance 1.01
Standard Deviation
1.01
Total Responses 385
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4. What has been your average job size in 2009?
# Answer Response %
1 Less than $10,000 58 15%
2 $10,000 to $30,000 113 29%
3 $30,001 to $75,000 86 22%
4 $75,001 to $200,000 73 19%
5 More than $200,000 55 14%
Total 385 100%
Statistic Value
Mean 2.88
Variance 1.65
Standard Deviation 1.28
Total Responses 385
5. How does your 2009 average job size compare to your average over the previous five years
(2004‐2008)?
# Answer Response %
1 Up 32 8%
2 No change 65 17%
3 Down by less than 10% 49 13%
4 Down by 10% to less than 25% 115 30%
5 Down by 25% to 50% 83 22%
6 Down by more than 50% 41 11%
Total 385 100%
Statistic Value
Mean 3.71
Variance 2.12
Standard Deviation 1.45
Total Responses 385
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6. What best explains the decrease in your average job size? Check all that apply.
# Answer Response %
1 Clients' financing options are more limited
133 51%
2 Decreasing housing values 99 38%
3 Higher unemployment 90 34%
4 General lack of consumer confidence
183 70%
5 Other. Please explain in a few words or phrases:
32 12%
Other. Please explain in a few words or phrases:
Only wanting to do what they can pay for
economy
Financing available for clients.
General Economy
Weaker Economy
Obama and the Government
Government by Idiots
We have no new construction projects. All we have been doing is handyman/repair jobs.
investment losses
Unlicesened Independents competing for work solely on price
Political climate
change in company focus
nervous
All of above
Decrease in their investment portfolio
reduced wealth, not spending discretionary dollars
Lack of return for investment
Media and government scare tactics.Makes us easier to control and takes the public's eye off the real issues.
Obama and Congress
cheaper housing stock than new construction
concern over Fed. Gov't spending and inflation
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Funding of projects
No or Little Cash on hand
Clients want to hang onto their money
THe locusts overwhelmed our market.
clients not spending their money
Conservative Consumer Spending
My clients still have the money but tend to spend it more carefully and are paying it out slower.
other lower bidders
Michigan has been in this economy longer than the rest of the country!
scaling back on pure luxury items
Statistic Value
Total Responses 263
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7. Please rank the following jobs in terms of how popular they were among your customers
in 2009. Drag and drop the most popular into the first position, drag and drop the second‐
most popular into the second position, etc.
# Answer 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Responses
1 Kitchens 103 78 49 67 24 21 8 6 356
2 Bathrooms 59 108 72 51 37 16 9 4 356
3 Whole house remodels 42 24 54 38 47 48 48 55 356
4 Additions 33 40 49 59 47 49 58 21 356
5 Home repairs 58 47 51 52 75 30 28 15 356
6 Exterior replacement (windows, siding, roofing, etc.)
30 41 53 42 50 92 38 10 356
8 Decks/outdoor living 9 11 18 25 49 66 127 51 356
7 Other remodeling 22 7 10 22 27 34 40 194 356
Total 356 356 356 356 356 356 356 356
Statistic Kitchens Bathrooms Whole house
remodelsAdditions
Home repairs
Exterior replacement (windows, siding, roofing, etc.)
Decks/outdoor living
Otherremodel
Mean 2.88 3.01 4.78 4.49 3.89 4.46 5.96 6.53
Variance 3.14 2.62 5.24 4.28 4.07 3.75 2.94 4.46
Standard Deviation
1.77 1.62 2.29 2.07 2.02 1.94 1.71 2.11
Total Responses
356 356 356 356 356 356 356 356
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8. Please rank the following jobs in terms of how popular they were among your customers
over the previous five year period (from 2004‐2008). Drag and drop the most popular into
the first position, drag and drop the second‐most popular into the second position, etc.
# Answer 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Responses
1 Kitchens 139 84 73 33 14 6 3 4 356
2 Bathrooms 19 121 82 71 39 15 6 3 356
3 Whole house remodels 86 50 83 49 27 21 21 19 356
4 Additions 68 60 51 100 25 24 15 13 356
5 Home repairs 11 12 23 31 116 74 65 24 356
6 Exterior replacement (windows, siding, roofing, etc.)
15 12 19 35 65 127 64 19 356
8 Decks/outdoor living 8 11 12 17 53 67 144 44 356
7 Other remodeling 10 6 13 20 17 22 38 230 356
Total 356 356 356 356 356 356 356 356
Statistic Kitchens Bathrooms Whole house
remodels Additions
Home repairs
Exterior replacement (windows, siding, roofing, etc.)
Decks/outdoor living
Other remodeling
Mean 2.29 3.21 3.35 3.42 5.33 5.40 6.07 6.92
Variance 2.12 2.01 4.25 3.52 2.58 2.69 2.60 3.42
Standard Deviation
1.46 1.42 2.06 1.88 1.61 1.64 1.61 1.85
Total Responses
356 356 356 356 356 356 356 356
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9. How has your average time from initial client contact to signed contract changed over the
past year?
# Answer Response %
1 Decreased significantly 25 7%
2 Decreased slightly 31 9%
3 Unchanged 64 18%
4 Increased slightly 95 27%
5 Increased significantly 141 40%
Total 356 100%
Statistic Value
Mean 3.83
Variance 1.53
Standard Deviation 1.24
Total Responses 356
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10. In a few words or phrases, please describe the biggest change you've seen in the way
clients plan their projects compared to five years ago.
Text Response
Longer time from plans to start of construction. More VE required.
They are very slow to pull the triger on a project.
Smaller,done in increments as funds become available
holding off as long as possible
They are looking into lowest cost and ignoring quality.
They're taking more time going through the bid process. We were able to sell more projects in past years withour going through the competitive bidding process.
They are much more cost conscious and diligent about the quality of materials used in their projects. They want quality for less money.
Clents are getting many more bids that in the past
Clients seem to do a lot more research on the internet concerning products and procedures prior to initial contact. Many times this requires explanation of why our way is different from what they saw or read.
Look for more cost savings for utilities
Budget and energy are major concerns with less money to work with.
More thorogh
no change
TOO THE PENNY!!!
MOre cost and energy thoughtful, looking at best use of available funds to work within their home, i.e cocooning.
Taking much more time to decide. They're probing the market for somebody to drop their pants. Often, they won't do anything at all with anybody after making the inquiry.
Value added remodel projects have dried up, due to lack of available financing sources here in the central Florida area. If the work wasn't on the books and permitted before the financial crash, it just isn't out there.
Very none comittal.
THE ECONOMY SEEM TO BE A BIG FACTOR NOW
more "long term" contemplation, i.e., how is this going to increase the overall value of my investment?
The amount of money to spend has decreased by over 50% in my market. High end has slowed because most of the time the improvements are not needed, only a change that is wanted.
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Therefore the mentality is it can wait until the economy improves.
THE TIME BETWEEN INITIAL QUOTE AND START TIMES HAS INCREASED
Priceing or repairing to help sale abilty
They want everything specified now where before we would just do allowances.
Decisions made on price vs. quality
They shop pricing extensively first, then many postpone the work to the future
Multiple bidders and failure to secure construction funds
They are looking a lot closer at what they are actually getting for each dollar. Some are paying attention to detail more than before
very tentatively. There is no confidence in the market at all today.
Cost savings.
multiple bidders, low ball gets the job
They are much more cautious with their spending, and seem to be shopping for the lowest price regardless of quality.
They look further ahead into their finances as well as to the economy in general.
What will give them the greatest return on investment. Seeking more competitive bids.
there is no equity in their home as a source of money
Clients are researching products on‐line and price shopping
More cautious with overall scope due to cost.
Gaining finance for their project
More price oriented.
Unrealistic budgets
much more carefully.... value equation must be (much) higher than ever before.
Watch cost more closely.
Much more quality and budget conscious.
They are putting more thought into which they feel are more nessary. And they are in no hurry.
Comfort level in making big dollar commentment for their home is as low as their property values
They do more research, and have a better idea of the products they want to install than they used to.
They inform me at the first meeting that the "Number is the number" and there is zero tolerance for missing their budget number or going over.
The clients are shopping around to find what they believe is the best value
Financing of segments of the projects have become more frequent
Cost is a bigger issue
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cash, not financing comes first.
slowly, they are considering $ return more now
Caution
we are having to bid items over and over to get the price down
very much price shopping.
five years ago they all wanted multiple options for upgrades now its whatever is the least expensive solution without options
Much more cost conscious‐‐‐looking for a deal. Also, too many idiot "contractors" out there that are unaware of their costs, are not licensed, not qualified to do the job, but are throwing out absurdly low prices just to get any business to survive. Unfortunately, a segment of the market seems to be getting lured by these people. Let the buyer beware.
What planning ? They simply are not doing projects! And if there is any planning, it's for down the road, next year at best.
Looking for more value, willing to remodel than build new.
Bid on more jobs and not getting the job is higher. Clients seem to be shopping for the best deal.
more deliberate
they're holding off for now
They are planning for staying more than fixing up to sell.
Are very undecided
Everything is done at least once , they don't want to waste time or money.
Requireing more integrated design process to make decisions.
they do more research for product and price, we hold hands more and need to assure the client they are making the right choice in the project they choose to do and the materials they choose to use.
everyone is afraid of the Deficit and where this government is heading
The jobs are usually broken apart to smaller segments over time.
They are very conservative about money
Planning has stayed the same . . . implementing has increased in time.
Clients are much more energy concious in the products they chose. Windows, HVAC, Envelope considerations (insulation and details), maintenance.
They seem to take much longer to make a decision. I think the reason stems from having so many more contractors to choose from.
They seem to want everything at half price.
Our showroom was the slowest it has ever been for 5 months this year. This is our 30th year. Everything shut down clients were not even stopping in. Economy has every stoped dead in
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their tracks. Now it seems everyone quit watching the news and the showroom picked up and sales are back.
Projects are being scaled down. I am having to take on smaller projects than I am used to doing.
Tentative. More shopping around. More competition due to laid off carpenters, etc. Most of our work comes from referral business. More customers wanting "deals".
My clients want every element of the contract tied down with a firm price up front.
Clients want more for less ( much less ), comparing new construction or remodeling to buying a foreclosure. Clients don't really want to understand that new construction costs more than buying a "pig in a poke."
Much more attention paid to costs of accessories such as plumbing fixtures, interior trim, doors, windows, etc.
Less frills
WE LOST 4 BIG JOBS OVER PEOPLE LOSING THERE JOBS.
No planning. The only work we have is repairs that must be done; flood repair, car hit a building, broken window, stuck door, etc.
much more cautious and make decisions a a slower time frame
Do own repairs
We have not seen much of a change.
not much change in their planning, just note as many inquires.
return on investment and real need vs want
Clients are much more skittish about committing to do their projects. Our closing ratio is way down and fewer (50‐60% fewer)leads are coming in, so things are slow
Lot of Bidders every job. Competitive prices.
Everyone prices each job ten times and ten ways. Then they have to think about it. Couldn't get the drag and drop on the rankings above to work.
careful about spending money.was always cheaper at cost‐plus,50% now want exact price which 95% of time is more $$ in our pocket.
Competitive pricing and getting a bargain is more popular today than it was five years ago. We need to substantiate everything in our quotes to prove the value for our customers.
PROCRASTINATION
Clients now view their homes as an asset that has decreased in value and you are hearing "I will just move to a bigger home instead of remodeling this one".
Multiple bids, and many reviews of bids, dollars are taking front line and itemized costs with labor breakdown, separate overhead and profit break down
They are really evaluating the project as home values have dropped around the country and people are concerned about how much money they invest in their home
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Price has to be the lowest
Cautious, very cautious! Ask endless questions often same questions phrased differently.
fewer clients shopping, more immediate decision to go now. The few that are doing remod work are serious about getting it done now. Yes, new price poressure from the over capacity of available tradesmen, now offering remod work
lack of finance
Statistic Value
Total Responses 291
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11. How much influence, if any, have the energy efficient tax credits in the stimulus package
had in your clients' choice of remodeling projects?
# Answer Response %
1 Major influence 37 10%
2 Minor influence 192 54%
3 No influence 127 36%
Total 356 100%
Statistic Value
Mean 2.25
Variance 0.40
Standard Deviation 0.63
Total Responses 356
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