Remodeling Your Kitchen & Bath? Those Who've Been There Say There's Nothing to Fear

LAS VEGAS, May 10 /PRNewswire/ -- A majority of Americans who remodeled their kitchen or bathroom in the last 12 months said they were satisfied with entire process -- including the oft-dreaded installation phase -- according to a new report being released at the annual National Kitchen & Bath Conference here tomorrow.

"The Kitchen & Bath Consumer Speaks Out," from the Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) commissioned by the National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA), found that more than 80 percent of homeowners who remodeled their kitchen or bathroom within the last year were somewhat or completely satisfied with the outcome.

Less than eight percent were somewhat or completely dissatisfied and only 14 percent reported feeling that way during the installation phase.

"Those of us in the business have long known that people love their new kitchens and bathrooms. NKBA kitchen and bath dealers derive an average of 80 percent of our annual revenue from repeat business and referrals," said Jeffrey Cannata, CMKBD, President of the National Kitchen & Bath Association.

Homeowners who undertake kitchen and bathroom remodels are indeed frequent consumers of home improvement products and services. "Half of the homeowners who remodeled their kitchen said that they had done a bathroom remodel during the preceding two years," said Fred Miller, HIRI managing director.

  The Kitchen & Bath Consumer Speaks Out About Kitchen Remodeling
   - The average kitchen remodel includes replacing the countertops,
     painting and wallpapering.  About half of the projects were done by the
     homeowners alone or with family and friends.
   - Higher-end kitchen remodels, costing $20,000 on average, were more
     likely to be professionally designed and/or installed and more than 90
     percent include new countertops and cabinets.
   - The average kitchen remodel lasts about 13 months from the time
     homeowners first think seriously about the project until it was
     completed.  Higher-end kitchen remodels take an average of 20 months.
     The design and planning phase is the longest, typically lasting between
     eight and 11 months.
   - January and June were the most favored months to decide to start a
     kitchen remodeling project.

  The Kitchen & Bath Consumer Speaks Out About Bathroom Remodeling
   - The average bathroom remodeling project includes new wall treatments,
     flooring and faucets. About 60 percent of homeowners did their bathroom
     remodeling by themselves or with friends and family.
   - Higher-end bathroom remodels, costing $6,300 on average, most
     frequently include new faucets, flooring, shower heads, wall treatment,
     lighting, and a toilet.
   - Whirlpools were purchased for 23 percent of higher-end bathroom
     remodels.  About 70 percent of these bathroom remodels included the
     services of a designer or contractor.
   - February, September and November were the most favored months to decide
     to start a kitchen remodeling project.

  About the Research

The Kitchen & Bath Consumer Speaks Out reports findings from surveys completed during March 2005 from a representative sample of homeowners between the ages of 25 and 70 who remodeled their kitchen or bathroom in the past 12 months.

HIRI is a not-for-profit trade association that conducts a broad range of research on the U.S. residential improvement and repair market. For more information about HIRI, visit http://www.hiri.org/ or call 813-627-6750.

The National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is a non-profit trade association that has educated and led the kitchen and bath industry since 1963. For more information, please visit the NKBA Press Room at http://www.nkba.org/press .

Available Topic Expert(s): For information on the listed expert(s), click appropriate link. Fred Miller http://profnet.prnewswire.com/ud_public.jsp?userid=511666