Businesses show increased confidence in remodeling, despite uneven local numbers

More people are deciding to spend money to remodel or renovate their homes, a sign the economy is recovering from its recessionary doldrums, according to those involved in the local remodeling market.

That change in discretionary spending has led to increased business and a boost in hiring for home builders and remodelers.

Signs of that resurgence can be found in the National Association of Home Builders quarterly remodeling index, which reached 55 in the fourth quarter, its highest level since the first quarter of 2004, according to a report issued Monday.

An index above 50 means that more remodelers report market activity is higher compared to the prior quarters than report it is lower.

The overall index averages ratings of current remodeling activity with indicators of future remodeling activity.

Remodelers are optimistic about the outlook for slow and steady market growth in the new year, said Bill Shaw, NAHB Remodelers chairman. Professional remodelers reported more work from large and small projects as well as overall home repair.

Residential remodeling numbers in the region have favored shifting business models from custom construction to a diversification of resources and the creation of jobs in an industry that has drastically reduced staffing in recent years, according to those in the home construction and remodeling business.

The amount of remodels, alterations and additions were up to 204 in Hamilton for 2012, up from 133 in 2011. In Middletown, the amount of such projects numbered 136, up only one from the previous year.

Those numbers are a far cry from the massive surge that saw Hamilton fielding 357 such projects in 2009 and Middletown accounting for 268 such projects that year, but double or nearly double what both cities saw prior to the recession.

For Butler Countys townships and villages, permits filed for remodelings reached 342 in 2007, but declined in recent years to 218 in 2012.

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Businesses show increased confidence in remodeling, despite uneven local numbers