Homeowner Interest in Remodeling Surges in Q1

Golden, CO, May 6, 2010--Homeowner interest in remodeling projects jumped 49% nationwide over last year in the first quarter, according to a report released Wednesday by ServiceMagic.com of Golden.

The national increase was 14% higher more than the company predicted at the end of last year.

“We didn’t expect remodeling activity to surpass what we forecast for [the first quarter],” ServiceMagic.com CEO Craig Smith said in a statement. “It is clear the overall findings illustrate that our industry is not at a standstill, but rather is on its way to a positive and hopeful 2010.”

ServiceMagic.com’s attributes the increase in service requests to U.S. homeowners starting to plan for larger investments in their properties in 2009. “The new economic reality of this year drove homeowners to act and spend money on the most commonly used rooms within the house,” according to the report.