Remodeling Activity Up Again in September

Austin, TX, Nov. 16, 2011 –- Remodeling activity reached a record high in September, according to BuildFax.

The company's latest index showed that September 2011 became the month with the highest level of remodeling activity since the Index was introduced in 2004 and represented the 23rd consecutive month of increases.

The top eight types of remodels classified by BuildFax are:

1. Roof (21.4%)

2. Deck (7.9%)

3. Bathroom (6.9%)

4. Garage (6.1%)

5. Kitchen (4.8%)

6. Basement (2.9%)

7. Office (1.7%)

8. Sunroom (0.7%)

"Mortgage rates continue to be near record lows, and as homeowners from coast to coast refinance, they are continuing to update their current home and invest in their properties," said Joe Emison, vice president of research at BuildFax.

"The data from BuildFax show that homeowners are not only doing important 'maintenance' projects, such as fixing their roof, but also taking on projects that add to the ‘livability’ of their homes by adding decks, remodeling their bathrooms and updating their kitchens."
 
The index rose 34 percent year-over-year.