FIND A CONTRACTOR BUYER'S GUIDE
BECOME AN INDUSTRY PARTNER
MCAA Logo
MEMBER LOGIN JOIN
NEWS
The 2026 MCAA Annual Online Auction ↗

Houzz survey predicts rise in outdoor living renovation

Words: David BenincasaThe third annual Houzz & Home Landscaping Study Survey revealed a continued rise in demand for outdoor renovation. The survey covered historical and planned projects, the motivations behind these projects, and regional and age differences in priorities and spending.

Regarding past spending, patio or landscape additions or renovations have been among the top five projects completed in the last five years, with an average national cost of $9,545. The average time taken in the planning process was 6.6 months.

Of those surveyed, 30% plan to hire a landscape professional in the next two years. More than half (56%) of those planning a project want to make their yard more entertainment-friendly. While the majority of planned landscaping projects include a patio (69%), nearly half of homeowners undertaking a landscape project are adding a fire pit (48%).

In terms of preference by age, millennials are more likely to install a fire pit in the future (21%, compared to 16% of older groups) and less likely to install a new patio (39%, compared to 46%).

For more than half of homeowners (55%), planned projects are intended to resolve problems in their yard. The top issue for all regions was correcting drainage issues, indicating marketing opportunities for permeable pavers nationwide. The number two priority for the West involved water shortage, indicating opportunities for permeable paver systems that are designed to include water harvesting and reuse. The number two priority for other regions included privacy problems in the East and erosion in both the South and Midwest, indicating opportunities for retaining walls in those regions.
 0
Outreach Outlook: Springing into Action – The Season of Growth
March 2026

There is a distinct shift in the air when March arrives. You can feel it on the job sites, and you can certainly feel it in the classrooms. As the winter chill begins to lift and the days are a little longer, the construction industry naturally wakes up f

Robert Melgaard
Outreach Outlook
Read More
Chairman's Message: Laying the First Brick - A Fresh Start
March 2026

As we head into a new year, I’m excited and, honestly, grateful to step into the role of Chairman of the Mason Contractors Association of America. This industry has been good to my family, and I see this role as a chance to give back and help move things

Kent Huntley
Chairman’s Message
Read More
GEN NXT: 2026 Skills Challenge Winners
March 2026

After another successful year of the Skills Challenge, the MCAA had the opportunity to speak with the three 1st Place winners of each skill level. Get to know their journeys, motivations, and the mindsets they have in order to compete in a national compet

Justin Stengel
GEN NXT
Read More
2026 World of Concrete Recap
March 2026

The 2026 World of Concrete Convention marked another successful year for masonry. From the world-renowned Skills Challenge and Fastest Trowel on the Block competitions to the new innovative GEORGE AI class, we gained a lot of ground in pushing this indust

Justin Stengel
Industry News
Read More