ServiceMagic Sees Surge in Remodeling Requests

New York, NY, Feb. 15, 2010--ServiceMagic.com, a site that connects homeowners with home-service professionals, said the number of remodeling service requests at its website increased 37% in the fourth quarter over 2008.

There were large increases in requests in areas that had some of the country's highest foreclosure rates.

For example, requested home additions and remodels in Miami were up 110%, compared with the year before. Requests for kitchen projects were up 166% in Phoenix, 120% in Chicago and 112% in San Jose.

"The surge of remodeling activity late in 2009 lets us know those in the position to put money into remodeling projects will likely do so at an accelerating pace in 2010," said Craig Smith, chief executive of ServiceMagic, in a news release.

Homeowners often get destructive when they realize they're losing their house. So it's logical that home improvement projects would be on the upswing in hard-hit markets.

As people buy these foreclosures -- sometimes at a substantial discount -- home improvements will follow as the houses are made livable again.