Canadian home renovations stats

In a recent survey 80% of Canadian homeowners said would rather renovate the home they own rather than sell and move. Last year 35% of Vancouver homeowners renovated their homes and spent an average $14,425 (1,4)

Remodelling of rooms made up 34% of renovations in Canada last year (2)

In the ten major Canadian cities surveyed 39% of homeowner households renovated their primary residence in 2006 (1)

About $2.8 billion will be spent in the Lower Mainland this year on home renovation and repair work (2)

Canadian retailers saw a 7.2% gain in sales of furniture and home furnishing products in the first quarter of 2007, which increased to $8.2 billion (3)

Of the top three renovations in Canada last year, flooring and carpet made up 32% (2)

Among households that renovated in 2006, 40% contracted out all work, while 34% did all the work themselves or with the help of family and friends (1)

Top source of renovation desperation:
.....time involved in renovating - 44%
.....inconvenience - 33%
.....cost - 28%
.....dealing with contract and trades - 12%
(4)

According to an Investors Group survey, 82% of Canadians plan to change their behaviour and adopt green practises, with 63% willing to spend up $10,000 in changes to their homes to reduce annual energy costs by 25% (5)

The renovation business is a huge part of overall housing construction across the Lower Mainland. Last year some 22,045 direct and indirect jobs were created by home renovations and repair activity (2)

Magazines make up 39% of top source for renovation inspiration (4)

Of the top three renovations last year in Canada, painting or wall paper made up 32% (2)

Of the top sources of renovation inspiration, TV home improvement shows account for 29% (4)

To finance their renovation expeditures, 48% of Canadians planning to renovate in 2006 planned to tap into cash or savings compared to 69% in 2004 (4)

Sources of stats:
(1) Renovation and Home Purchase Survey
(2) Greater Vancouver Home Builders Association
(3) Statistics Canada
(4) 2005 RBC Royal Bank/IPSOS Reid Renovation Survey
(5) Vancouver Sun, Oct 5th 2007