Selective Study Finds 25% Increase In Major Home Renovation Projects In First Half Of 2021 Compared To End Of 2020

Pandemic Renovation Activity Up Significantly in the South, West, and Midwest; Slows in the Northeast

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Aug 04, 2021, 08:30 ET

BRANCHVILLE, N.J., Aug. 4, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Home renovations have increased since the start of 2021, with over half (55%) of U.S. homeowners reporting substantial improvements that boost home values, according to a July survey commissioned by Selective Insurance and conducted by The Harris Poll. This is a 25% increase from a similar Selective and Harris Poll survey conducted in December 2020, indicating a current rise in home improvements despite headlines about supply chain delays, increasing cost of materials, and labor shortages.

Selective conducted a national study with the Harris Poll that confirms home renovations have increased since the start of 2021, with over half (55%) of U.S. homeowners making substantial improvements that boost the value of their homes.

The Selective study also found that the South leads the nation in home renovation activity, with 57% of homeowners reporting significant home improvements. The prevalence of home renovations by region follows: Northeast (54%, down from 56% in December 2020), South (57%, up from 40% in December 2020), Midwest (52%, up from 42% in December 2020), and the West (55%, up from 43% in December 2020).

"Selective's study on home renovations reinforces our observations, based on customer interactions, that the current housing and renovation boom remains strong," said Allen Anderson, Senior Vice President, Personal Lines, Selective. "Every home renovation project is unique, but every homeowner needs to protect their investment from future loss. Independent insurance agents help homeowners evaluate their coverage needs and update their insurance to reflect their renovated home's full replacement value."

Among homeowners who improved their homes during the pandemic, just under a quarter (23%) said they hadn't updated their insurance coverage and another 10% said they were unsure.

Additional Insights and Findings

According to the Selective study, U.S. homeowners have been increasingly investing in their properties since the beginning of the pandemic, with the following major home improvement projects reported:

36% are renovating a room/basement/attic
12% are adding a new room
17% are adding a pool/hot tub

Selective saw similar trends among customers who operate contracting businesses. An analysis of Selective's active commercial liability insurance policies identified a 5-10% increase in residential construction payroll and an approximately 15% increase in subcontracting costs year over year from 2019 through 2021. These indicators underscore continued home improvement activity well into 2021 and across the company's commercial lines footprint.

To learn more about Selective's research on major home improvements during the pandemic, visit here.

Survey Methodology:

The Harris Poll, on behalf of Selective Insurance Company of America, conducted online surveys within the United States from December 28-30, 2020 and July 6-8, 2021, by polling 2,057 U.S. adults aged 18+. Results were weighted for demographics where necessary to align respondents with their actual proportions in the population. Propensity score weighting also was used to adjust for respondents' propensity to be online. This online survey is not based on a probability sample, and therefore no estimate of theoretical sampling error can be calculated. For complete survey methodology, including subgroup sample sizes, please contact Katelyn Leondi.

About Selective Insurance Group, Inc.

Selective Insurance Group, Inc. (NASDAQ: SIGI) is a holding company for ten property and casualty insurance companies rated "A" (Excellent) by AM Best. Through independent agents, the insurance companies offer standard and specialty insurance for commercial and personal risks and flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program's Write Your Own Program. Selective's unique position as both a leading insurance group and an employer of choice is recognized in a wide variety of awards and honors, including Fortune's Best Workplaces in Financial Services and Insurance in 2021. For more information about Selective, visit www.Selective.com.

Selective offers insurance coverage to meet the unique needs of every home and homeowner across the country. In partnering with independent insurance agents, Selective customers have access to optional coverage enhancements that go above and beyond standard Homeowners insurance protection – including guaranteed replacement cost for non-building structures, theft of jewelry and watches, cash-out option, and more.

SOURCE Selective Insurance Group, Inc.