Pro Remodeling Product Purchase Trends

The Home Improvement Research Institute's biennial Contractor Product Purchase Tracking Study explores purchase incidence and spending behavior among industry professional on a product level. It also includes data about the suppliers used for purchases. Based on data from the report, digital channels heavily influence buying, as industry professionals rely on retailer websites and search engines for specs, inventory, and reviews, expecting complete, accurate, and easily comparable product data online. However, there are some variations in how and where contractors purchase products and materials, based on the category.

HIRI's Contractor Product Purchase Tracking Study out­lines the prod­uct pur­chas­es of pro­fes­sion­al con­trac­tors with details in six core product categories including Building Materials and Structural Systems; Exterior Envelope; Furniture Appliances and Cleaners; Interior Finish; Mechanical Systems; and Tools and Accessories. The analysis in these detailed reports will help home improvement industry stakeholders understand and track the differences and similarities for pro purchasing behaviors across these various product categories.

Contractors’ brand choices hinge on proven performance and product reliability. Innovation matters less than consistent quality, warranty coverage, and on-time availability across key materials and tools. Based on findings in the Home Improvement Research Institute's biennial Contractor Product Purchase Tracking Study, the most important attributes when choosing a certain home improvement brand are quality and durability, followed by availability, price, and ease of installation.

Digital channels heavily influence buying among contractors. Pros rely on retailer websites and search engines for specs, inventory, and reviews, expecting complete, accurate, and easily comparable product data online. Not only does HIRI's report outline purchase incidence and spend behavior by product, but the data can help to iden­ti­fy suppliers used for purchases by product and also ana­lyze attachment and cross-product opportunities. 

Both DIY and contractors purchase broadly across home improvement product categories. Professionals’ purchase decisions remain pragmatic and efficiency-driven, as they are typically purchasing products in larger quantities and for planned projects. Quality, durability, and product availability anchor brand choice, while sustainability and innovation trail as secondary factors, based on data from the Home Improvement Research Institute's biennial Contractor Product Purchase Tracking Study.

For the DIY homeowner market, at least half annually purchase products from every building category, except for Exterior Envelope and Mechanical Systems, according to the most recent data from the Home Improvement Research Institute's biennial Homeowner Product Purchase Tracking Study.

Both of HIRI's tracking studies outline home improvement purchase trends in six core product categories including Building Materials and Structural Systems; Exterior Envelope; Furniture Appliances and Cleaners; Interior Finish; Mechanical Systems; and Tools and Accessories. The data can be used to identify the main differences between DIY and contractor home improvement purchase trends.

Additionally, HIRI's quarterly U.S. Size of the Home Improvement Products Market Report & Forecast breaks down spending over the past five years for various product categories by both the consumer and professional markets. It also provides five-year forecasts for both groups.