What is a Joy Score?
A home remodeling ‘Joy Score’ is a calculated analysis of a homeowner’s happiness based on their renovation results. The calculations also take into account the dollar value each project adds onto the house at resale.
(This data was collected between 2021-2022 by the National Association of REALTORS® Research Group.)
In this article, we will cover:
- The reasons a homeowner remodels.
- The outcome of taking on a project.
- The amount of happiness found in the home once a project is completed.
We will also take a deeper dive into:
- The typical cost of remodeling, as estimated by members of the National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), since the Covid-19 pandemic.
- How much appeal each project is likely to have for buyers, according to REALTORS®.
- How much REALTORS® estimate that homeowners can recover on the cost of the projects if they sell the home.
“A study conducted in 2021 by ‘Improving America’s Housing’, Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University, stated that Americans spent over $420 billion on home remodeling projects in 2020”
Who does the work:
35% of homeowners hire a professional to do the whole job
28% hired the labor but purchased the materials
22% did the entire project themselves
13% contributed some do-it-yourself (DIY) labor
Research found among NARI members:
90% found a greater demand in contracting in remodeling work during the COVID-19 pandemic
60% cited the scale of the projects increased either in a larger project or remodeling more than one room due to the pandemic
83% cited that homeowners would have remodeled regardless of the pandemic
86% of homeowners reported that remodeling one area of their home made them want to then remodel other areas of their home
Why do homeowners want to remodel:
30% want to upgrade worn-out surfaces, finishes, and materials
20% want to add features and improve livability
16% do it because it is time for a change
How do homeowners feel about the overall result:
57% say they would tackle the project the same way
35% say they would make a few different choices such as finishes or materials
How do homeowners feel about their home after a remodel:
84% of homeowners have a greater desire to be in their home
69% have increased enjoyment in their home
57% feel happy
39% feel satisfied when they see their completed project
69% feel a major sense of accomplishment when they think of their completed project
Homeowners report the single-most important result from remodeling is:
35% better functionality and livability
22% durable and long-lasting results
14% beauty and aesthetics
After a remodeling project has been completed, a typical homeowners Joy score is: 9.6 out of 10
Let’s break the joy rating down a little further by using the top 4 renovation projects in a home: Kitchen, Guest Bathroom, Home Office and Laundry Room.
Complete Kitchen Remodel:
43% of homeowners believe the most important result after a complete kitchen renovation is better functionality and livability
94% have a greater desire to be home since completing the project
86% have an increased sense of enjoyment when they are at home
85% feel a major sense of accomplishment when they think of the project
The top 2 reasons a homeowner would want to remodel their kitchen:
25% to add features and improve livability
25% to upgrade worn out surfaces, finishes, and materials
Cost Recovery:
The estimated cost for a typical NARI kitchen remodel is $80,000
REALTORS®’ estimated cost recovered is roughly $60,000
The value recovered from the project is typically around 75%
Pandemic Influence:
87% of consumers would have undertaken the project, regardless of the pandemic
25% of REALTORS® reported increased demand for remodeling during the pandemic
Joy Score for a complete Kitchen Remodel: 9.8
Complete Guest Bathroom Remodel:
46% of homeowners believe the most important result after a complete guest bathroom renovation is better functionality and livability
73% have a greater desire to be home since completing the project
61% have an increased sense of enjoyment when they are at home
64% feel a major sense of accomplishment when they think of the project
The top 2 reasons a homeowner would want to remodel their bathroom:
15% to add features and improve livability
43% to upgrade worn out surfaces, finishes, and materials
Cost Recovery:
The estimated cost for a typical NARI guest bathroom remodel is $35,000
REALTORS®’ estimated cost recovered is roughly $25,000
The value recovered from the project is typically around 71%
Pandemic Influence:
84% of consumers would have undertaken the project, regardless of the pandemic
19% of REALTORS® reported increased demand for remodeling during the pandemic
Joy Score for a complete Guest Bathroom Remodel: 9.6
Complete Home Office Remodel:
54% of homeowners believe the most important result after adding a home office is better functionality and livability
91% have a greater desire to be home since completing the project
73% have an increased sense of enjoyment when they are at home
55% feel a major sense of accomplishment when they think of the project
The top 2 reasons a homeowner would want to remodel their home office:
33% to add features and improve livability
25% to improve organization and storage or just moved into home and wanted to customize to personal taste
Pandemic Influence:
50% of consumers would have undertaken the project, regardless of the pandemic
40% of REALTORS® reported increased demand for remodeling during the pandemic
Joy Score for a complete Home Office Remodel: 10
Add/ Upgrade Laundry Area:
60% of homeowners believe the most important result after adding or upgrading a laundry area is better functionality and livability
84% have a greater desire to be home since completing the project
68% have an increased sense of enjoyment when they are at home
79% feel a major sense of accomplishment when they think of the project
The top 2 reasons a homeowner would want to remodel their laundry area:
40% to add features and improve livability
20% just moved into home and wanted to customize to personal taste
Pandemic Influence:
68% of consumers would have undertaken the project, regardless of the pandemic
4% of REALTORS® reported increased demand for remodeling during the pandemic
Joy Score to add or upgrade a Laundry Area: 9.5
Sources & Methodology:
These surveys were taken by homeowners who have just completed a home remodeling project. The companies involved in collecting the data were: HouseLogic.com, The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI), and The National Association of Realtors® (NAR).
About NARI…
The National Association of the Remodeling Industry, or NARI, provides residential remodelers with tools that enable them to perform at a higher level. NARI members’ annual sales are nearly three times the industry average because of the knowledge, networking and support that they receive as members. In addition, NARI connects homeowners with its professional members, so consumers have a positive remodeling experience with a professional, qualified remodeler. NARI members pledge to follow the nation’s strictest code of ethics for remodelers so homeowners can feel confident that their remodeling job will be done right when they hire a NARI member.
About NAR…
The National Association of REALTORS® is America’s largest trade association, representing more than1.6 million members, including NAR’s institutes, societies and councils, involved in all aspects of the real estate industry. NAR membership includes brokers, salespeople, property managers, appraisers, counselors and others engaged in both residential and commercial real estate.
To learn more about the quality of Sea Pointe Design & Remodel’s work, browse through our online portfolio of completed projects or visit our kitchen and bath showroom in Irvine.
When you are ready to start planning your own home remodel, simply give us a call at (949) 861-3400 or fill out the form below to schedule your complimentary design consultation.