
In the second quarter of 2025, the NAHB/Westlake Royal
Remodeling Market Index (RMI) posted a reading of 59, down four
points compared to the previous quarter. While this reading is
still in positive territory, some remodelers, especially in the
West, are seeing a slowing of activity in their markets. The
second-quarter reading of 59 marks only the second time the RMI
has dipped below 60 since the survey was revised in the first
quarter of 2020.
Higher interest rates and general economic uncertainty have
affected consumer confidence and are headwinds for remodeling,
but not to the extent that they have been for single-family
construction, as is evident in June’s negative reading from the
NAHB/Wells Fargo Housing Marketing Index (HMI). As a result,
NAHB is still forecasting solid gains for remodeling spending in
2025, followed by more modest, but still positive, growth in
2026.
The RMI is based on a survey that asks remodelers to rate
various aspects of the residential remodeling market “good”,
“fair” or “poor.” Responses from each question are converted to
an index that lies on a scale from 0 to 100. An index number
above 50 indicates a higher proportion of respondents view
conditions as good rather than poor.

Source: eyeonhousing.org