Springtime is greener as remodeling gains speed

The National Association of the Remodeling Industry's (NARI) first-quarter Remodeling Business Pulse (RBP) data of current and future remodeling business conditions is reaching new heights, as quarter-over-quarter increases are seen across all sub-components measuring remodeling activity.

As remodelers approach the busy season, overall current business conditions have seen steady increases since March of 2012, now at a statistically significant 5.97 rating compared with the 5.59 rating from one year before.

"Remodelers nationwide are not only experiencing increased activity right now, but many have a backlog of projects well into the fall," said Tom O'Grady, chairman of NARI's Strategic Planning and Research Committee and president of O'Grady Builders, based in Drexel Hill, Pa. "This current condition is world's away from March of last year and suggests that the recovery is beginning to gain speed."

Growth indicators in the first quarter of 2013 are as follows:

* Current business conditions up 1.0 percent since last quarter

* Number of inquiries up 4.9 percent since last quarter

* Requests for bids up 5.2 percent since last quarter

* Conversion of bids to jobs up 1.1 percent since last quarter

* Value of jobs sold is up 0.2 percent since last quarter

Sharp increases in the number of inquiries and requests for bids point speak directly to an increase in consumer confidence, especially in housing.

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Springtime is greener as remodeling gains speed