Dramatic Growth in Remodeling Industry Seen

The huge remodeling business, already accounting for $80 billion a year in the nation, will grow to more than twice its size by the end of the century, according to a forecast by Cahners Publishing Co.

“The growth of the home remodeling industry will be enormous, benefiting suppliers, manufacturers and retailers in the field,” according to Kermit Baker, an economist for the publisher of magazines for the building and remodeling industry.

“In addition, the economic resurgence in the Northeast and Midwest has helped stimulate remodeling,” he said. “These regions have many thousands of older housing units that require extensive remodeling and maintenance that had been delayed in past years because of the sluggish economy.”