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How Business is Booming for Renovation Firms on Houzz
Revenues exceeded expectations for many design firms in 2021, according to the latest Houzz State of the Industry report
Amanda Pollard
5 May 2022
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors and architecture.
Senior Editor at Houzz UK and Ireland. Journalist and editor specialising in interiors... More
Business was at a four-year high for the residential renovation and design industries last year, with revenue growth up for the majority of firms, new research from Houzz UK reveals. Two-thirds of companies across all sectors in the Houzz survey said their 2021 revenue met or exceeded expectations, and most firms are expecting more growth in 2022.
The Houzz UK 2022 State of the Industry study includes responses from 298 firms in the home renovation and design industries. Read on to find out how your fellow professionals found 2021 and what they’re expecting for the year ahead.
The Houzz UK 2022 State of the Industry study includes responses from 298 firms in the home renovation and design industries. Read on to find out how your fellow professionals found 2021 and what they’re expecting for the year ahead.
Houzz surveyed firms in seven categories. The first four are architects, interior designers, design & build firms and builders.
The other firms include specialists in the landscaping & outdoor, decorating, and building & renovation categories.
The other firms include specialists in the landscaping & outdoor, decorating, and building & renovation categories.
Big-budget clients are on pros’ radars
The most popular planned strategy for revenue growth in 2022 is to bring in larger-budget projects, with 60% of all pros saying this will be their aim this year. Architects are relying on this strategy the most, at 68%, while 58% of interior designers intend to adopt the same plan.
Design & build companies are equally drawn towards two strategies, with 56% saying they’ll focus on both higher-budget projects and increasing marketing and sales efforts.
The most popular planned strategy for revenue growth in 2022 is to bring in larger-budget projects, with 60% of all pros saying this will be their aim this year. Architects are relying on this strategy the most, at 68%, while 58% of interior designers intend to adopt the same plan.
Design & build companies are equally drawn towards two strategies, with 56% saying they’ll focus on both higher-budget projects and increasing marketing and sales efforts.
Revenue growth surpassed expectations in 2021
A greater share of businesses reported year-over-year revenue growth in 2021 than in the past four years, and the majority of firms did better than expected. Indeed, two-thirds reported that revenue growth either met or exceeded their initial expectations for the year.
72% of both architects and design & build firms told us they’d seen a rise in gross revenues in 2021, followed by 70% of interior designers.
A greater share of businesses reported year-over-year revenue growth in 2021 than in the past four years, and the majority of firms did better than expected. Indeed, two-thirds reported that revenue growth either met or exceeded their initial expectations for the year.
72% of both architects and design & build firms told us they’d seen a rise in gross revenues in 2021, followed by 70% of interior designers.
Firms are hiring
More firms were taking on new staff last year, with 29% of those surveyed saying they’d grown their teams in 2021 compared with 17% the previous year.
At 35%, design & build firms were the most busy hiring new employees, while 29% of architects and 26% of interior designers also increased their headcount.
Businesses are expected to keep hiring in 2022, with 38% of those surveyed saying they plan to recruit in order to support revenue growth.
More firms were taking on new staff last year, with 29% of those surveyed saying they’d grown their teams in 2021 compared with 17% the previous year.
At 35%, design & build firms were the most busy hiring new employees, while 29% of architects and 26% of interior designers also increased their headcount.
Businesses are expected to keep hiring in 2022, with 38% of those surveyed saying they plan to recruit in order to support revenue growth.
Overheads grew
Business costs rose last year, with almost four in five businesses – 77% – reporting an increase in the cost of doing business in 2021. This was a particular challenge for design & build firms, with 94% saying they’d been impacted by rising costs, followed by 70% of interior designers and 65% of architects.
Client budgets were also pinched, as 34% of pros reported that customers who were overly concerned about costs were a big challenge in 2021.
Download the full study.
Tell us…
What were your biggest challenges in 2021 and what are your plans for the year ahead? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
Business costs rose last year, with almost four in five businesses – 77% – reporting an increase in the cost of doing business in 2021. This was a particular challenge for design & build firms, with 94% saying they’d been impacted by rising costs, followed by 70% of interior designers and 65% of architects.
Client budgets were also pinched, as 34% of pros reported that customers who were overly concerned about costs were a big challenge in 2021.
Download the full study.
Tell us…
What were your biggest challenges in 2021 and what are your plans for the year ahead? Share your thoughts in the Comments.
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