If you have some money lying around and are looking to do a remodeling job soon, this is the time to step up to the plate. With the slowdown of new construction and people pinching the pennies, remodelers are having a hard time finding work.

Remember that guy who would not return your calls about fixing up a bathroom? Put a bug in your ear and it is now his turn to call every day to see if you are interested.

Now you can call 4 guys and get 4 good bids for the work. Times do change, don’t they.

The remodeling market is tightening due to more home builders taking on remodeling work, creating a more competitive marketplace and flattening out calls for bids and appointments for proposals.

Regionally, current market expectations fell in the third quarter, with the South dropping to 31.5 (from 40.1 in the second quarter), the Midwest to 36.2 (from 52.9), and the West to 36.1 (from 42.4). The Northeast increased slightly to 32.9 (from 32.8). The Midwest, however, increased to 52.9 (from 44.1). All measures for future expectation (calls for bids, amount of work committed for next three months, backlog of remodeling jobs, and appointments for proposals) declined.

The special questions section of the survey asked remodelers about energy efficiency products, finding increased customer calls for work to improve home energy efficiency since the question was asked in the third quarter of 2006 (up to 26 percent increase in calls from 24 percent). While low-energy windows remain the top customer request, 50 percent of remodelers report installing water-saving faucets and fixtures (up from 36 percent) and 38 percent installed on-demand water heaters (up from 29 percent). via NAHB Press Release

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