Houzz Survey Finds Most Homeowners Moving Ahead With 2026 Renovation Plans

2025.12.17

Palo Alto, CA – Houzz has released findings from its 2026 U.S. Houzz Renovation Plans Report, showing that homeowner renovation demand remains steady heading into 2026. The survey found that 91% of U.S. homeowners intend to move forward with their renovation projects, despite ongoing economic uncertainty.

Among those planning to renovate, 67% say they will maintain or expand their project scope, while 33% are unsure whether they will adjust it. Looking back on 2025, 44% of homeowners completed projects, 42% are currently renovating or preparing to begin, and 14% delayed or canceled plans. The most common reasons for postponing projects include lack of urgency (37%), timing conflicts such as weather or work schedules (30%), and financial concerns such as high prices (17%), budget constraints (17%), and economic uncertainty (16%).

Many homeowners cite long-term commitment to their properties as a key motivator for continuing renovations. Nearly two-thirds (62%) expect to remain in their homes for at least 11 years after renovating, and 45% consider their current residence their “forever” home. Only 4% anticipate moving within the next year. While financial factors like return on investment (28%) and affordability (26%) play a role, emotional ties are strong—79% say they want to stay in their current home, and 40% want to remain in the same neighborhood. Personalization remains a major driver, with homeowners tailoring spaces to meet evolving needs.

“Homeowners are committed to their planned projects in 2026, fully aware of the challenges ahead,” said Marine Sargsyan, head of economic research at Houzz. “Since 2012, home equity has grown faster than mortgage debt, giving homeowners financial flexibility to invest in their spaces. At the same time, a shortage of U.S. housing supply persists and the housing stock is aging, with half of the homes being 40 years old or older. These long-term structural trends, paired with homeowners’ desire to stay put and personalize their living spaces, continue to support renovation activity, even as they navigate inflation and a shifting economic landscape.”

Confidence Rises With Income

Confidence in moving forward with renovations is closely linked to household income. Among homeowners earning $150,000 to $200,000, 64% describe themselves as very confident about proceeding with their projects. That figure drops to 32% for households earning between $50,000 and $100,000.

Homeowners Move Forward at Full Scope

More than half of homeowners (54%) plan to maintain their original renovation scope, and 13% intend to expand it. Among those budgeting more than $50,000, 28% say they plan to increase the scope of their project.

Rising Material Prices and Limited Labor Top Homeowner Concerns

Most homeowners (93%) anticipate challenges during their renovation process. The leading concerns include rising material costs (63%), higher labor expenses (31%), and difficulty finding available professionals (25%). Other anticipated issues include product availability and disruptions to daily routines during construction.

Strong Reliance on Professionals

More than 9 in 10 homeowners (93%) plan to work with professionals on their 2026 projects, especially for projects exceeding $50,000. The most frequently hired professionals include general contractors (55%), builders (33%), kitchen and bath designers (30%), and interior designers (20%). Specialty trades such as electricians (52%) and plumbers (35%) are also in high demand.

When asked about their experiences in 2025, homeowners identified key areas for improvement in the renovation process: better schedule tracking (44%), clearer communication (35%), greater cost transparency (26%), more effective visualization tools (14%), and easier digital payment options (12%). These insights highlight how professionals can enhance their service through improved management tools, such as Houzz Pro software for project organization, design collaboration, and client communication.