Executive Summary
Welcome to the first-ever HomeStars Reno Report!

For the past 13 years, HomeStars has been the leading authority in the home services industry. As Canada’s largest home service marketplace, it has been our mission to provide homeowners with a resource that allows them to research, find and connect with trusted home service professionals across the country. Over 8,000 new reviews are added each month to HomeStars.


In 2017, the Atlus Group reported that Canadians spent almost $78 billion on home renovations and that number continues to grow, with renovations having a larger impact on the economy than new home construction.


The 2019 Reno Report was inspired by our U.S. sister company, HomeAdvisor, who has been releasing a similar report that surveys Americans on their attitudes, intentions and spending as it relates to home improvement. Now, we’re pleased to bring that knowledge to Canada for the first time ever by surveying over 1,000 Canadian homeowners.


Our survey confirmed what we anticipated, that Canadians are staying put and choosing not to move. With home sales flat, according to a June 2019 report from the Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA), and the uncertainty of a Federal election on the horizon, more Canadians are opting to renovate the home they’re in, rather than make a move. Nearly two-thirds of respondents indicated that they planned to spend as much or more on improving their homes in the next 12 months. And remarkably, a whopping 77% of Canadian homeowners reported they had the cash on hand to do renovations.


According to an RBC Economic Report released in February, 40% of homes in Canada are owned by people who are younger than 35. When we looked at spending among the generations, it was the Millennials who were the most active. Almost three quarters plan to spend as much or more on maintenance in the coming year and 72% plan to spend as much or more on larger renovations.


We know Canadians are house proud. Read on to learn more about what they are doing in their homes and what you can expect to pay for similar projects.


From our home to yours,

Norway
Kishawna Peck
Manager of Data Analytics

 
Key Findings
Home Improvement Trends
V Repairs: 57% of homeowners completed one to two smaller repairs during the last year, with 36% completing between three and 10 repairs - 23% of homeowners spent $2,000 - $5,000, 24% spent $5,000 - $20,000 and only 5% spent more than $20,000.
V Renovations: 57% of homeowners did one or two major projects -- 26% spent between $5,000 and $20,000, and 8% spent more than $20,000 in the last year.
V 77% of all homeowners reported they had the cash on hand to carry out any home improvements.
V Alberta was the province with the highest percentage of renovations over $50,000.
V The majority of Canadians research pricing before hiring a home service professional for both major renovations and repairs (88% and 83%, respectively).
Looking Ahead
V Canadians are staying in their homes, in fact only 9% are considering selling in the next 12 months.
V Looking forward, 64% of all respondents and 70% of younger respondents said they may consider renovating their home in the next year.
V Millennials are planning on spending the most in the next year, with 72% saying they plan to spend as much or more on larger renovations.
V The group planning to spend the least is the Silent Generation, with less than half saying they will spend as much on minor repairs and major renovations in the coming year.
 
Current Home Improvement Trends