Gen Z Residential Remodeling Trends

Currently, Gen Z’s home improvement investment is modest, with lower spending levels than older generations and a greater reliance on DIY time to complete projects. The Home Improvement Research Institute's Gen Z Project Activity Study identifies the areas Gen Z focuses on and the products they purchase for their home improvement projects.

The report also explores nationwide permit data to gauge generational home improvement activity. As far as data on Gen Z home improvement purchasing behaviors, the report reveals that Gen Z spending skews toward paint, cleaning supplies, tools, lumber, and other hands-on basics that support small-scale, DIY-driven projects. Higher cost, replacement-oriented products (such as appliances, finished trades, exterior systems, and mechanical upgrades) are far less common. 

Gen Z homeowners show the highest rate of familiarity with smart home features, systems, and technologies. They are also the generation most likely to find smart home automation an important part of decision-making for their renovations and improvement projects.

Gen Z homeowners are more motivated by social/peer influence and leverage social media the most of any segment. Additionally, they are the most concerned among segments with having financing options, and they are among the most motivated by climate change and environmental impact among segments.

The Home Improvement Research Institute's Gen Z Project Activity Study provides a data-driven look at how this emerging generation engages in home improvement, what projects they take on, where they invest their dollars, and what motivates their decisions.

Additionally, HIRI's Homeowner Trends in Energy Efficiency, Smart Home and Sustainability Study explores variations among age demographics when it comes to the adoption of smart home technology in renovations. 

Gen Z’s home improvement investment remains modest relative to older generations. Reported spending is lower both over the past 90 days and across the past year, reinforcing that projects tend to be smaller and more episodic rather than sustained or capital intensive, according to the Home Improvement Research Institute's Gen Z Project Activity Study.

This lower financial outlay is partially offset by higher personal involvement, with Gen Z contributing more DIY hours than older homeowners despite the relatively limited scope of work. Future activity sentiment is mixed for small projects but turns strongly negative as costs rise or contractor involvement is required.

Gen Z’s home improvement efforts are narrowly focused on core interior spaces and small, manageable projects rather than broad renovations. Gen Z’s home improvement spending skews toward paint, cleaning supplies, tools, lumber, and other hands-on basics that support small scale, DIY driven projects. Higher cost, replacement-oriented products such as appliances, finished trades, exterior systems, and mechanical upgrades are far less common. Generally, Gen Z activity consists of modest, affordability driven improvements, rather than long-term investments.

HIRI also publishes research on Generational Differences in Home Improvement.

Nearly half of Gen Z home improvement projects are driven by maintenance or repair, while improved comfort and style each motivate about one-third. Increasing functionality and enhancing health and well-being also motivate Gen Z to start home improvement projects, according to the Home Improvement Research Institute's Gen Z Project Activity Study.

Secondary motivation among this demographic comes from life stages, such as rental income and mobility. Sentiment around future activity reflects this constraint. While attitudes toward smaller, lower cost projects are mixed, sentiment turns decisively negative as project budgets increase or when hiring a contractor is required.

The data points to a near term outlook defined by caution, with Gen Z more likely to limit project size, delay larger investments, or substitute time for dollars rather than expand overall home improvement spending.

Gen Z homeowners are more likely to do it themselves than hire contractors when it comes to home improvement projects, from remodels to repairs and maintenance.

Based on data from the Home Improvement Research Institute's Gen Z Project Activity Study, more than three-fourths of projects are completed DIY (with non-paid help), while contractors are hired for only 10% of projects, and the rest rely on a hybrid approach.

Gen Z homeowners are more likely than older generations to identify as novice DIYers, which helps explain why their projects tend to be smaller in scope, maintenance driven, and focused on immediate needs rather than long-term improvements.

Many Gen Z homeowners report no challenges during their home improvement projects. When issues arise, they most often involve cost pressures and gaps in project knowledge.

Gen Z take an online-first approach to researching home improvement ideas, projects, and products. They primarily get inspiration for ideas and projects from social media sources including YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok.

Additionally, according to the Home Improvement Research Institute's Generational Differences in Home Improvement Activity Report, Gen Z are most likely to use search engines and retailer/manufacturer websites and apps to begin shopping for home improvement products.

HIRI's Gen Z Project Activity Study provides a nuanced and data-driven look at how this age group approaches home improvement activities. Leveraging proprietary survey data from Gen Z homeowners alongside U.S. permit data, this study delivers actionable insights into current behaviors and future expectations, helping industry stakeholders better understand and anticipate Gen Z’s impact on the home improvement market.