US remodeling survey tracks accessory dwelling projects

NAHB’s release of 23 October says 24% of surveyed US remodelers started an addition intended as an accessory dwelling unit in the preceding twelve months. For Hungarian property owners and designers, this can serve as an international comparison when considering housing capacity within or alongside an existing property.

The industry association’s research reports a 23% share for converting existing space to this purpose. These figures refer to business responses, not the distribution of all American homes or construction projects. The release discusses the third-quarter survey.

Adding the categories would not produce a reliable combined share of businesses because the same remodeler may have undertaken both types of work. In our interpretation, the planning distinction is whether additional floor space is built or existing rooms are converted. A budget can therefore distinguish structural construction, utility connections and interior fit-out.

The US survey does not establish Hungarian permitting possibilities or returns. Our articles on Hungarian housing prices and SATO rental occupancy offer different market perspectives. Further comparison will require checking whether categories and sampling remain consistent in NAHB’s next comparable survey; the present article gives no publication date for it.

Several projects by one business can still appear as a single positive response in this measure. Quantifying the effect on housing supply would therefore require separate counts, completion dates and information on actual occupation.