Report: Builders bracing for rising costs

Businesses spanning the construction sector, as well as architecture and design services firms, are bracing for turbulence ahead. According to the Q2 2025 Houzz U.S. Renovation Barometer, the cautious outlook and dampened optimism follows a significant dip in Q1 performance among the construction sector while the design sector's activity remained stable. Expectations are clouded by concerns over the potential impact that tariffs and other economic factors will have on their businesses.