Current conditions are more than 40% ahead of Q4 2020
Photographer: Beth Singer, Beth Singer Photography, Inc.
HACKETTSTOWN, N.J. (August 25, 2021) – The National Kitchen & Bath Association – a non-profit trade association for the kitchen and bath industry providing tools, research, certification, and events to thousands of professionals – and John Burns Real Estate Consulting (JBREC) released its quarterly Kitchen & Bath Market Index (KBMI) for the second quarter of 2021. With estimates showing an 11% growth in sales for Q2 vs. Q1, the report suggests continued growth in the Kitchen and Bath market, despite ongoing material shortages and rising labor costs.
“We’re encouraged by the findings from our report on the Kitchen & Bath industry, which reaffirms the longer outlook of the field as one of growth and strong earnings,” said Bill Darcy, NKBA CEO. “While we are seeing the continued delay of materials and increase in labor costs causing problems and concerns within the sector, it also shows that the sky-rocketing demand for remodeling projects has continued. In fact, the industry is experiencing an increased interest in higher-end products as consumers are spending more time than ever in their homes due to the ongoing pandemic and are prioritizing comfort and luxury, particularly when it comes to kitchen and bath improvements.”
The COVID-19 pandemic has continued to have significant impact on the supply-chain and material development industries, causing widespread challenges to all sectors of the economy. The Kitchen & Bath industry is no different as the field has seen “double-digit” price increases across common kitchen & bath products, while labor rates have increased an additional 10-19% in an effort to retain talent within the industry. All of these factors have put strain on the consumer budget.
Despite these hurdles, there is a clear demand for remodeling services as 60% of designers have reported a backlog of at least three-months. Additionally, in Q2 2021, 55% of the building and construction industry reported zero projects cancelled, a stark contrast from the previous quarter. Furthermore, despite an increase in material costs, nearly half of retailers (46%) have begun to see a shift in typical price points demanded by customers with 89% saying their customers are shifting toward the pricier, higher end finishes.
Among the report’s key findings:
- Labor Challenges Persist: As the qualified labor pool continues to shrink with early retirement and career changes, building and construction companies scramble to incentivize their current workforce. 80% of companies report increasing labor rates to retain employees – with nearly two-thirds report rising rates of as much as 19%. This continues to increase the overall price of the project and delay the timeframes of planned remodels. However, clients continue to move forward with projects and are willing to pay for products and finishes in demand.
- COVID-19’s Impact Lessens: While industry experts and professionals keep a watchful eye on the progression of the Delta variant of the coronavirus, members reported a significant drop in the pandemic’s impact on business, giving it a score of 4.9 out of 10, where 0 is no impact at all and 10 is a significant impact – down significantly from around 6 the previous three quarters.
- More Record Indices: An 82.3 overall KBMI score topped the previous all-time record 79.8 from Q1. Current conditions of 85.7 shattered last quarter’s record 78, and is miles ahead of the 59.8 from Q4 2020. Future conditions are flashing warning signals though, as price hikes and lead times are beginning to take a toll. Many members are becoming creative, ordering months in advance to circumvent lead times and lessen the sting of price hikes.
While there is optimism about the future of the industry, there are still a few challenges the industry continues to face including the potential threat of the Delta variant of the coronavirus. However, the outlook toward the industry’s future is positive as consumers are content to wait out and postpone projects rather than cancelling all together, signaling continued growth for the sector as the year progresses.
About the National Kitchen & Bath Association and the Kitchen & Bath Industry ShowThe National Kitchen & Bath Association (NKBA) is the not-for-profit trade association that owns the Kitchen & Bath Industry Show® (KBIS), as part of Design & Construction Week® (DCW). With nearly 50,000 members in all segments of the kitchen and bath industry, the NKBA has educated and led the industry since the association’s founding in 1963. The NKBA envisions a world where everyone enjoys safe, beautiful and functional kitchen and bath spaces. The mission of the NKBA is to inspire, lead and empower the kitchen and bath industry through the creation of certifications, marketplaces and networks. For more information, visit NKBA.org or call 1-800-THE-NKBA (843-6522).
KBIS® and NKBA® are registered trademarks of the National Kitchen & Bath Association.
About John Burns Real Estate ConsultingJohn Burns Real Estate Consulting is an independent research provider and consulting firm focused on the housing industry. John Burns founded the company in 2001 because he saw a need for better analysis on the housing market. The company has grown to a highly passionate team of research analysts and consultants in offices across the country, who work together to provide the most trusted source of US housing analysis. John Burns Real Estate Consulting’s research subscribers receive the most accurate analysis possible to inform their macro investment decisions, and the company’s consulting clients receive specific property and portfolio investment advice designed to maximize profits. For more information visit www.realestateconsulting.com.###
