Houzz survey predicts rise in outdoor living renovation

Words: David BenincasaThe third annual Houzz & Home Landscaping Study Survey revealed a continued rise in demand for outdoor renovation. The survey covered historical and planned projects, the motivations behind these projects, and regional and age differences in priorities and spending.

Regarding past spending, patio or landscape additions or renovations have been among the top five projects completed in the last five years, with an average national cost of $9,545. The average time taken in the planning process was 6.6 months.

Of those surveyed, 30% plan to hire a landscape professional in the next two years. More than half (56%) of those planning a project want to make their yard more entertainment-friendly. While the majority of planned landscaping projects include a patio (69%), nearly half of homeowners undertaking a landscape project are adding a fire pit (48%).

In terms of preference by age, millennials are more likely to install a fire pit in the future (21%, compared to 16% of older groups) and less likely to install a new patio (39%, compared to 46%).

For more than half of homeowners (55%), planned projects are intended to resolve problems in their yard. The top issue for all regions was correcting drainage issues, indicating marketing opportunities for permeable pavers nationwide. The number two priority for the West involved water shortage, indicating opportunities for permeable paver systems that are designed to include water harvesting and reuse. The number two priority for other regions included privacy problems in the East and erosion in both the South and Midwest, indicating opportunities for retaining walls in those regions.
 0
MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Episode 24 Recap: Gary Hensley, VP of Sales at Oldcastle Adams
July 2025

On this episode of the MASONRY STRONG Podcast, Gary Hensley joins Justin in Indianapolis to talk about his story within the masonry industry, how he got started, how he's seen it evolve, and where he sees it going. Why the Masonry Industry? Concrete and

Read More
The Enduring Power of Structural Masonry
July 2025

Masonry has been holding its ground for millennia — literally. And thanks to the simple brilliance of arching action, it continues to do so with strength, style, and surprising efficiency. In an era of advanced modeling and fast-moving schedules, one time

Read More
Business Building: Do Project Manager / Estimator Combos Work?
July 2025

Steve owns SJP Contractors, a mid-size general contractor specializing in commercial projects. Over the last several years, his company has grown to over $16 million in annual sales, with an average project size of $500,000 to $1,500,000, employing 45 off

George Hedley
Business Building
Read More
Contractor Tip of the Month: Trust Is the Cornerstone
July 2025

If I can’t trust you, I can’t do business with you. I don’t care how talented you are. I don’t care how long we’ve worked together. I don’t care how many projects you’ve completed. If I can’t trust your word, then we don’t have anything to build on—figura

Damian Lang
Contractor Tip of the Month
Read More