Consumer Demand for Remodeling Projects Is on the Rise

Industry leaders have predicted for years that the demand for aging in place would skyrocket. It looks like more people are prepping their homes to do so, according to a survey from the National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) in which 76% of remodelers said requests for aging-in-place features have increased over the past five years.

“As the average age of homeowners rises, we are seeing that more and more people are understanding the benefits of remodeling to handle the needs of aging in place,” Alan Archuleta, NAHB Remodelers Council Chair, said in a news release. “This awareness is driven by technology, the cost of elder care and the idea of staying in the homes they love.”

In the NAHB’s Remodeling Market Index survey for the first quarter of 2023, 98% of remodeling contractors said their clients were familiar with the concept of aging in place. The organization, which represents homebuilders, remodelers and others in the housing and construction industry, adds aging-in-place related questions once a year.

Three-quarters of the homeowners looking for aging-in-place modifications are aged 65 and up, the survey found; 70% said they also had clients who were in the 55-64 range. The two most common reasons for taking on these projects were planning ahead for future needs (88%) and making accommodations for aging parents (50%). Almost 40% said they were managing acute age-related disabilities and 29% said they were managing non-age-related disabilities. 

What are the age groups of homeowners for which you are doing aging-in-place work?  

Do you find that most, some or none of the consumers seem to be familiar with the aging-in-place concept?  

A growing number of consumers understand what aging in place means, at least in terms of home renovations. In 2004, 25% of remodelers said that consumers were not familiar with the concept. Two decades later, only 2% said consumers weren’t aware, and 34% said most were in the know. 

Which are the most in-demand projects? What type of aging-in-place remodeling projects has your company done in the past 12 months? Bathrooms are often the primary target for home modifications. According to respondents, the most popular project they handle is adding grab bars, followed by curbless showers and installing higher toilets at 77%. A full 42% were asked to add a new full bathroom on the main level and 29% expanded a main-level half bath into a full bath.

Which projects are Increasing in Demand?