These estimates have been developed as part of an ongoing Home Improvement Research Institute (HIRI) program by one of its suppliers, Global Insight. According to its most recent study, housing starts and existing home sales - strong coincident indicators for home improvement activity - stayed at a high level throughout 2005; both are expected to post increases of over 4 percent for the year.
"With the housing market beginning to show a gradual slowdown, there has been some talk that the home improvement industry will suffer its effects," said Fred Miller, managing director of the HIRI.