Report Shows Kitchen & Bath Sales Drooping

I just read a report in Qualified Remodeler, one of two major magazines catering to the remodeling contractor.

It says (between the lines) what I have been seeing in our market, in the San Francisco Bay Area.
That remodeling activity is cooling in every sector except the high end market.

The rich have plenty of money to spend.
But the middle class, who have been the backbone of the remodeling boom for a decade or more, are AWOL this year.

Between building and remodeling our sector has kept the nation booming, even with signals to the contrary; such as an expensive war, deficit spending and a dropping dollar

I think a number of factors are driving this trend:

1. Housing values are stagnant or dropping.
2. Incomes (except the executives) are not keeping up with inflation.
3. Massive household debt.
4. Tightening credit.

It'll be interesting to see what happens next.

Peggy

Susan Serra Blogging at KBIS

Susan will be sending real time reports from the Kitchen Bath Industry Show in Las Vegas this week.
If you want to be up on the latest and greatest trends and hot new products, don't miss her blog posts on The Kitchen Designer including podcasts of interesting seminars.

Peggy

Below is a copy of her post:


Going To The Kitchen Show in Vegas, Baby!

I'll be working hard, trying to fit everything in, the fabulous food samples on the show floor by top chefs like Marcus Samuelsson, from the major appliance manufacturers, the massages from Moen at their press event, the press events at top nightclubs...and, oh yes, the products at the booths, l promise to find all kinds of great stuff and dutifully report back. Whether from major manufacturers, or very small, wonderful artisans, the show has it ALL. You'll hear from me during the show!

I got this great new voice recorder thing that does something special with podcasts, so if I can figure it out, I'll be putting up podcasts. I hate my voice (doesn't everyone?) played back, but I'll sacrifice vanity to give you information right from the sources. I'm so revved up for this as I am every year....see you in Vegas, baby!

A Plumber's Blog/Best Plumber in SF

I just HAD to share this one.
It's a new blog but the posts are great!
I have a soft spot for plumbers.
Spoiled by mine:
Ron Mirkovich
R Mirkovich & Sons Plumbing, San Francisco 415-467-1610
He's the BEST Plumber I've ever met. Bar none!
I'm afraid though that Ron is not a blogger.
Peggy

Kwik Fix - The Blog
The Kwik Fix plumbers blog is the official blog for Kwik Fix Plumbing, based in Cumbria, UK. The blog offers plumbing advice, answers to plumbing problems, news on Kwik Fix, competitions and info on plumbers jobs.