WASHINGTON -- Against the backdrop of unusually severe winter weather, the Remodeling Market Index (RMI) declined to 53 in the first quarter of 2014, according to the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB). This reading is down from the historically high level of 57 in the two most recent quarters, but remains above the key break-even point of 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 remain confident in the continued growth of the home improvement market," said NAHB Remodelers Chair Paul Sullivan, CAPS, CGR, CGP, of Waterville Valley, N.H. "As we head into spring, the gradual rise in home equity levels will continue to help clients better afford to remodel their homes."

Smaller renovation jobs continue to show strength. The home maintenance and repair component of the RMI increased two points to 59 in the first quarter, a historically high reading. Overall, the current market conditions of the RMI declined three points to 53 this quarter.

While the RMI's future market conditions index fell from 58 in the previous quarter to 52, all of the four major components of the RMI's future market conditions index remained at or above 50 in the first quarter of 2014. Calls for bids was 52, the amount of work committed for the next three months was 50, the backlog of remodeling jobs was 55 and appointments for proposals was 52.

"An uncommonly harsh winter and continued labor shortage created a drag on many parts of the housing market, including remodeling, in the first months of 2014," said NAHB Chief Economist David Crowe. "The two components of the RMI that declined the most in the first quarter, calls for bids and appointments for proposals, are the ones most likely to respond to weather conditions. Going forward, we expect gradual but steady growth in the market for remodeling as there is still some pent-up demand from the housing downturn waiting to be released."

For more information about remodeling, visit http://www.nahb.org/remodel.

Original post:
Severe Winter Constrains First-Quarter Remodeling Market Index

From staff reports

MIFFLINTOWN - At their regular meeting Tuesday, the Juniata County Commissioners approved a pair of remodeling projects for county-owned buildings at a total cost of a little more than $30,000.

William P. Seiler Building & Remodeling will perform work on the Juniata County Annex building at a cost of $12,968. Seiler Building & Remodeling will also perform work on the H. Brown Fry Building at a cost of $18,494.

Both proposals were ratified by a 2-1 vote with Commissioner Teresa O'Neal voting in opposition both times.

The commissioners also approved a proclamation celebrating the 100th anniversary of the signing of the Smith-Lever Act.

The Smith-Lever Act was the founding legislation of the nationwide Cooperative Extension System, which includes 4-H and the Penn State Cooperative Extension system.

The commissioners also reviewed:

The "Juniata County Children & Youth Social Services and Probation Expenditure Report" for the period Jan. 1 through March 31 as submitted by Robyn Ventresca, Children & Youth Fiscal Assistant.

A change in Assessment Report for April 2014 as submitted by Jeff Haines, Chief Assessor.

The Treasurer's Report for April 2014 as submitted by Sandra F. King, Treasurer.

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Remodeling approved in Juniata County

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Dashs Markets is closing its supermarket on Kenmore Avenue as of Sunday to prepare the former Budweys grocery store for extensive renovations, owner Joe Dash said Monday.

However, work at the Kenmore Avenue store wont begin for some time as Dashs executives weigh their options for the project and await final design details.

Dash said he hopes remodeling will begin in the summer or early fall, and he expects to open the renovated store by spring 2015 following six or seven months of construction.

The store needs a major renovation to do what we do, Dash said.

The Kenmore Avenue Dashs will be open through Saturday and signs there advertise a storewide remodeling sale.

Dash said closing the store now, months before construction begins, gives Dashs the chance to place its nearly 100 employees in positions at its four other area locations.

A majority of employees at the 416 Kenmore Ave. store agreed to transfer, and Dashs wouldnt have been able to accommodate them if the company had waited until construction began to close the store, Dash said.

He said the company also held off on doing its normal level of new hiring in recent weeks to further ensure the Kenmore Avenue employees could find positions elsewhere in the chain.

Dashs has between 550 and 575 employees in all, said Mark Mahoney, executive vice president and director of operations.

The chain agreed in November to buy the former Kenmore Avenue Budweys after Frank Budwey decided to retire from the supermarket business.

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Dashs Kenmore Avenue store closing Sunday for future remodeling

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Last year, nearly 10 million homeowners came out from underwater on their mortgages, finally regaining some home equity. Along with the equity has come an increase in confidence in housing as an investment. That has helped more homeownership pull the trigger on a remodel, but they are, in general, still doing smaller, less expensive projects.

Read More Homeownership falls to 19-year low: Here's why

"You're still very nervous about overbuilding your neighborhood, putting more money in your house than you can get back if you're going to sell it," said Kermit Baker of Harvard's Joint Center for Housing and the American Institute of Architects. "So we're seeing for example not $125,000 kitchen remodels but $30-40-50,000 kitchen remodels."

Architects reported a jump in most sectors of remodeling in 2013, with additions and kitchen and bath renovations leading the surge. A survey by the firm Hanley Wood shows even minor kitchen and bathroom remodels recoup on average 82 and 73 percent of their values respectively in resale gains. Only projects by first-time home buyers, who are sorely under-represented in today's housing recovery, were weaker, as prices for both home and home renovations rose.

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