December 18, 2025
Blog
Coming Soon: An Enhanced HIRI Website
We’re excited to share that an enhanced HIRI website is launching soon, and is slated for mid-January. The enhancements you'll see rolled out are crafted with you at the center of every decision. As we approach the launch date, we want to give you a first look at what’s coming and what we're getting most excited about it.
December 9, 2025
Blog
10 Reasons Why ‘Made in America’ Still Matters: New Data on What Drives Homeowners to Buy American
There are several factors that influence homeowners in the United States when comparing and purchasing home improvement products: price, quality, and availability, to name a few. Where the product was manufactured is also an important consideration for many customers.
November 25, 2025
Blog
Motivating Homeowners to Pursue Energy Retrofits: Challenges and Opportunities
Energy efficiency and renewable energy, as well as their role in the home improvement industry, are not new concepts. However, it can be challenging to measure the degree to which energy-efficient and sustainable products and systems are actually penetrating different segments of the market and whether certain homeowners have a strong interest in pursuing projects in these areas.
November 20, 2025
Blog
10 Top Trends in Homeowner Readiness to Spend on Home Improvement Projects in 2025 and 2026
Homeowners in the United States are currently in a sensitive position as 2025 comes to a close and they prepare for the upcoming year. They face significant concerns over personal finances and rising costs, although there is less worry about broader trends, such as inflation, unemployment, and the political environment, based on our research.Homeowners show a cautiously engaged mindset. Strong intent persists with planned activity concentrated in maintenance projects.
November 20, 2025
Blog
9 Key Trends Among Contractors: Exploring Current Business Sentiments
The construction industry is constantly evolving, shaped by economic conditions, market shifts, and industry-wide challenges, from labor shortages to the cost and availability of materials.All of these factors have an impact on professional contractors and their business operations, such as the type of home improvement projects they’re involved with and their productivity, efficiency, and project timelines.
October 31, 2025
Blog
What You Missed at the 2025 Home Improvement Insights Summit
The 2025 Home Improvement Insights Summit brought together leading economists, data experts, and industry strategists to unpack what’s driving today’s housing and remodeling markets and where the next wave of opportunity may emerge - whether that me customers, channels, or market opportunities. From macroeconomic shifts to consumer mindset changes and technology adoption, this year’s conversations underscored one theme: uncertainty is the new constant. As such, companies that choose informed adaptation in the face of uncertainty keep a competitive advantage.
October 29, 2025
Blog
Tariffs, CPI Inflation, and Shifting Priorities in Home Improvement
This article provided by HIRI's Premier Platinum Summit Sponsor, OpenBrand. Authored by Ralph McLaughlin, Chief Economist.
October 29, 2025
Blog
Stop the Stall: How Brands Can Inspire Homeowners to Act
2025 Sales Are Not Meeting Expectations, Despite Sound Economic Numbers From 2015 to 2023, the home improvement industry experienced tremendous growth as the median project spend increased 29%, and the number of home improvement projects in a given year increased from 2.7 to 3.4 per home. However, these trends didn’t continue in 2024 as homeowners throttled back on home improvement spending.
October 17, 2025
Blog
1 in 3 Homeowners Report Spending 25%+ More on Home Improvement Purchases Because of Content Seen on Social Media
Social media has a significant role in contemporary society, with many people using it as a personal platform for sharing their day-to-day life and connecting with friends, family, and likeminded individuals locally and around the world.As a home improvement brand, though, the role of social media may seem a bit more ambiguous, especially when it comes to influencing homeowners’ perspective, attitudes, and even purchase decisions.You might see it as a way to introduce prospective DIYers to your brand or stay top-of-mind for those who’ve used your home improvement products in the past and are likely to make repeat purchases. Having a strong social media presence can also help build general brand awareness. But does it have much of a purpose beyond that?
October 17, 2025
Blog
Should You Invest in Social Media Communities for Your Home Improvement Brand?
Working to promote a home improvement brand and connect customers with your products, you know the importance of providing an omni-channel shopping journey for both industry professionals and homeowners who engage in DIY activities. One piece that’s emerged over the years as an important part of a multi-channel approach is social media, and more specifically, social media communities. One question that home improvement product marketers must ask is how the value of Pro-centric social media engagement may vary from homeowner-centric social media engagement.
October 3, 2025
Blog
ECHO, Home Depot, and the Shifting Balance of the OPE Market
Market Resilience and the Role of String Trimmers Despite inflationary pressures and looming tariffs, the Outdoor Power Equipment (OPE) category* has demonstrated resilience.
September 29, 2025
Blog
What Generative Search Means for Home Improvement Brands and How to Stay Visible
AI seems to dominate every conversation around technological innovation, and for good reason: It’s reshaping industries across the board, including home improvement.
September 24, 2025
Blog
Top Trends Impacting the 2025-2029 Home Improvement Market Forecast
The five-year forecast anticipates near-flat real growth in 2025, with a modest real rebound from 2026 to 2029 as inflation cools and nominal growth outpaces real growth.
September 23, 2025
Blog
Tariffs at the Toolbench: Trade Pressures in Building Materials
A Shifting Economic Backdrop The U.S. building materials and home improvement industries are facing disruption unlike anything seen in decades.
August 4, 2025
Blog
10 Key Takeaways from the Q2 2025 Contractor Activity Tracker
The home improvement industry is constantly evolving, shaped by economic conditions, market shifts, and industry-wide changes. All of these factors impact how contractors operate, as well as influencing their strategic decision-making and purchasing behaviors.
July 30, 2025
Blog
10 Interesting Energy Conservation Views and Homeowner Sentiments Towards Smart Homes
Energy efficiency has had a presence in the home improvement industry for several decades, with standards enacted around the topic of conservation at first a state and then national level. Sustainability and smart home technology, while newer, have also carved out space in the market, with new technologies frequently emerging.
July 18, 2025
Blog
Home Improvement E-Commerce Trends Among Homeowners in 2025
E-commerce is a prevalent part of the shopping experience in this day and age. Individuals needing products for their home improvement projects utilize digital sources at nearly every step of the shopper journey, from exploring brands and researching product details to making actual purchases.
June 16, 2025
Blog
How Policy Shifts Are Reshaping Contractors Perceptions of Risk, Opportunity, and Strategy
As the U.S. home improvement and construction sectors move through another year of macroeconomic and policy uncertainty, new research from the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) reveals a sharp divergence in how contractors are navigating change.
June 9, 2025
Blog
Navigating the Home Improvement Market Given the June 2025 U.S. Size of Home Improvement Market Forecast
Whether your role lies in informing targeted marketing campaigns, driving product development or analyzing consumer insights, staying ahead of market trends and economic shifts is crucial for making strategic decisions.
June 8, 2025
Blog
Trending Attitudes, Behaviors and Preferences Among Hispanic Contractors
In many ways, contractors across demographics are experiencing similar opportunities and challenges in the home improvement industry. They are sensitive to the rising costs of building products and materials; they experience similar market pressures; they have to contend with customer indecision; and their jobs span everything from repairs and maintenance to high-value upgrades.
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