Poll Results: Rising Project Costs

Material costs, labor issues, and supply chain pressures continue to shift, but not all projects are affected the same way across the remodeling and home improvement landscape.

Pro Remodeler wanted to know which project types are seeing the greatest cost increases and how you're handling the changes—so we conducted a poll this spring to find out. Here’s what you told us.

Which project types are getting more expensive?

Rising costs continue to pressure remodelers across nearly every project category, with bathroom remodels (68%) and kitchen remodels (67%) topping the list of projects experiencing the greatest cost increases so far this year. Whole-house remodels also ranked high at 56%.

Among home improvement projects, window and door replacement came in at 44%, and there were notable cost increases for decks (33%) and siding replacement (30%).

Even smaller-scale projects such as handyman services (26%) are feeling the impact, underscoring how widespread pricing pressures remain throughout the industry.

*Respondents asked to select all that applied

How have rising costs affected your project volume so far this year?

A combined 55% of respondents reported a decrease in project volume this year, with 41% experiencing a moderate decrease and 14% a significant one—which shows a market under strain.  

Interestingly, 24% of those surveyed said rising costs are actually driving an increase in project volume, split evenly between moderate and significant gains (12% each). This could be the result of shifting demand or favorable market positioning. Meanwhile, 22% reported no change, suggesting a segment of the industry has managed to insulate itself from cost pressures, at least for now.

How are you responding to the rising costs?

Respondents are using a range of strategies to adjust to rising costs, with 54% selectively increasing prices depending on the project while 29% said they’re raising prices across the board.

Other adjustments include reducing project scope to meet tighter budgets (41%) and offering clients lower-cost material options (29%). Surprisingly, 31% said they are absorbing some costs outright to remain competitive.

*Respondents asked to select all that applied

What reactions are you seeing from homeowners regarding higher project costs?

Homeowners are increasingly adjusting their remodeling plans in response to higher project costs, with 63% of respondents reporting that clients are scaling back project scope.

More than half (57%) reported homeowners are delaying projects, 38% said clients are opting to complete projects in phases to better manage costs, and 28% said they’re seeing homeowners cancel projects entirely.

Only 6% of respondents said they haven’t noticed any significant change in homeowner behavior.