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Census Bureau Stops Collecting Remodeling Data
The U.S. Census Bureau recently announced that it will cease collecting data for its quarterly reports on the amount spent on improving and maintaining residential structures in the U.S. The last published residential improvements and repairs data will be released on May 1 for the fourth quarter of 2007.
”Losing these data from the Census Bureau means remodelers will lose their ability to track changes in their segment of the industry,” said Paul Emrath, of NAHB’s housing policy research. “Builders who may be considering diversifying into remodeling and manufacturers of products used in remodeling will have no data on which to base their business plans,” he added.
The federal government also used the data to determine the remodeling component of the nation’s gross domestic product (GDP). That component now will be estimated by the Bureau of Economic Analysis without any data. In 2006, the remodeling component of residential fixed investment totaled $178 billion, or about 1.5% of the GDP.
Last week’s decision not to collect data on residential remodeling has been one the Census Bureau wrestled with for more than a year. Last year, the bureau determined that it would no longer spend the annual $1 million to conduct the remodeling survey needed to collect the data.
When NAHB learned that the survey was to be discontinued, it swung into action and strongly advocated preserving the government’s remodeling data in letters, phone calls and meetings with members of Congress, the Census Bureau and the Department of Commerce.
Following the NAHB action, the Census Bureau on Jan. 14 informed NAHB that it had found enough savings elsewhere in its budget to keep producing residential remodeling statistics through 2008. However, it made no promises beyond 2008 and indicated that the decision could be temporary.
In announcing the end of remodeling data collection for the second time last week, the Census Bureau also indicated it could possibly begin issuing remodeling data — based on a new remodeling survey that is being proposed by the bureau’s Manufacturing and Construction Division — as early as 2011. NAHB will work with the Census Bureau on plans for the new survey.
For more information, e-mail Paul Emrath at NAHB, or call him at 800-368-5242 x8449.
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