Last year, more than half (54%) of U.S. homeowners took on renovation projects, according to Houzz, which shares nine insights about home renovations. 

1. Renovation budgets are steady or rising. 

Houzz reports that the median renovation budget in 2025 was $150,000, slightly higher than $140,000 in 2024.  

2. Older generations are spending more. 

In 2025, homeowners ages 81 and older spent a median of $25,000 on renovations – more than Gen X ($24,000) and baby boomers ($22,000). Seniors also increased their renovation spending the most, nearly doubling their kitchen investments YOY ($15,000 to $27,500). 

3. Gen Z is entering the renovation ring. 

Gen Zers accounted for 0.5% of renovators in 2025, up from 0.2% in 2024. This generation is the most likely to renovate following a recent home purchase, with the focus most on interior room remodels. 

4. More renovators are using credit cards. 

Homeowners still turn to savings most frequently for their home projects, but credit card use has increased by five percentage points YOY. Now, 24% of homeowners use this payment method. 

5. Time plays a factor. 

With busy lives, 40% of renovating homeowners cited “finally having the time” as the top motivator for starting their home project. 

6. Most turn to professionals for help. 

Ninety-one percent of renovating homeowners hire professionals to complete their home improvements, and 48% also hire specialty service providers, including electricians, air conditioning/heating specialists and plumbers. 

7. Renovations take time (especially planning). 

Kitchen renovation projects had the longest timeline on average, with 9.5 months spent on planning and 5.8 months spent on construction. Smaller projects take significant time as well, with closets taking an average 6.6 months to plan and 4.3 months to construct. 

8. Homeowner budgets are flexible. 

More than a third (37%) of homeowners went over their renovation budget. Of those, 52% cited unexpected product or service costs. Moreover, 1 in 4 didn’t even set a budget. 

9. Painting is popular. 

The most popular project was painting, as 62% of renovators purchased paint for their renovations. Other common purchases included light fixtures (48%), faucets and showerheads (46%), lawn and garden supplies (44%) and building materials (41%).