Research & Data
Renovation Research You Can Actually Use
We collect, analyze, and publish data on renovation costs, contractor practices, ROI by project type, and regional market conditions — so your decisions are based on evidence, not optimism.
1,200+
Homeowners surveyed annually
8 markets
Regional cost data tracked
Quarterly
Data refresh cadence
Key Research Findings
The numbers that should change how you plan your next project.
67%
of renovation projects exceed their initial budget
The most common causes: scope creep (38%), hidden structural issues (29%), and material cost increases mid-project (21%). Our planning guides are built around these failure modes.
2.3x
average ROI difference between best and worst renovation types
Minor kitchen updates and bathroom refreshes consistently outperform full gut renovations on a dollar-for-dollar resale basis. Bigger isn't always better when it comes to return.
43%
of homeowners didn't get more than one contractor quote
Single-quote projects paid an average of 18% more than those who collected three or more bids. Getting multiple quotes is the single highest-ROI action a homeowner can take.
$8,400
average cost of permit-related project delays
Permit delays extend contractor schedules, increase carrying costs, and often require re-booking trades. Understanding permit requirements upfront is not optional — it's financial protection.
Research Areas
What we study, why it matters, and how we collect the data.
Cost Benchmarking
DataAggregated data from real renovation projects across Canada and the US. We track material costs, labour rates, and total project spend by region, project type, and home age — so you know if a quote is reasonable before you sign anything.
ROI by Project Type
ROINot all renovations pay off equally. Our ROI research tracks resale value uplift for kitchens, bathrooms, basements, curb appeal projects, and more — segmented by market type and home price tier. Know what adds value before you spend.
Regional Market Data
RegionalLabour costs in Vancouver are not the same as labour costs in Winnipeg. Our regional breakdowns cover major Canadian metros and US cities, giving you a realistic baseline for your specific market rather than a national average that fits nobody.
Contractor Industry Analysis
IndustryHow do homeowners find contractors? What percentage of projects go over budget? What are the most common dispute triggers? We survey homeowners and contractors to surface the patterns that help you avoid the most common mistakes.
Homeowner Sentiment Surveys
SurveysQuarterly surveys of homeowners who recently completed renovations. We ask what they'd do differently, what surprised them about costs, and which contractors they'd rehire. Real feedback, not curated testimonials.
Material Price Tracking
PricingLumber, drywall, tile, fixtures — material prices fluctuate significantly. We track pricing trends over time so you can understand whether now is a good time to buy, or whether waiting a quarter might save you real money.
Recent Reports
Our latest published research — free to access.
2024 Canadian Renovation Cost Report
Comprehensive cost data for 14 common renovation project types across 8 major Canadian markets. Includes material and labour breakdowns, regional variance analysis, and year-over-year price change data.
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Contractor Trust & Dispute Survey — 2024 Edition
Survey of 1,200 homeowners who completed renovations in the past 18 months. Covers contractor selection methods, dispute frequency, resolution outcomes, and what homeowners wish they'd done differently.
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Kitchen Renovation ROI: A 5-Year Resale Study
Tracked resale outcomes for 340 homes that underwent kitchen renovations before listing. Breaks down ROI by renovation scope, material tier, and time between renovation and sale.
Read Report
Want to contribute data?
If you’ve recently completed a renovation, your project data helps us build more accurate benchmarks for everyone. Share your costs anonymously and get early access to our next report.