U.S. Remodeling Market Index Dips in Early 2016

---

The National Association of Home Builders is reporting this week that their Remodeling Market Index (RMI) posted a reading of 54 in the first quarter of 2016, dipping four points below the previous quarter but remaining in positive territory above 50.

An RMI above 50 indicates that more remodelers report market activity is higher (compared to the prior quarter) than report it is lower. The overall RMI averages ratings of current remodeling activity with indicators of future remodeling activity.

"Remodelers were solidly booked for jobs in the first quarter of 2016, but calls and appointments for work slowed down in comparison to the end of 2015," said 2016 NAHB Remodelers Chair Tim Shigley, CAPS, CGP, GMB, GMR, a remodeler from Wichita, Kan. "Volatility in the financial markets during the first quarter may have impacted consumers' readiness to commit to projects."

The RMI's current market conditions index stands at 55, decreasing by a single point from the previous quarter. Among its components, major additions and alterations continued gains from the previous quarter, rising to 55 from 54. The smaller remodeling projects component decreased two points to 54, and the home maintenance and repair component of the RMI decreased two points to 56.

At 53, the RMI's future market conditions index decreased six points from the previous quarter. Among its four components, calls for bids decreased to 51 from 58, the amount of work committed fell to 52 from 57 and appointments for proposals dropped to 52 from 60. Meanwhile, the backlog of remodeling jobs decreased only three points to 58 from the previous quarter's reading and high-water mark of 61.

"Minor declines in the small additions and maintenance categories coupled with a slight uptick in major additions resulted in a flat outcome for current market conditions," said NAHB Chief Economist Robert Dietz. "While the future market conditions of the index dipped slightly, we still anticipate modest growth in the remodeling industry over the course of 2016."