Is this you? As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.
Claim your profile
Articles by Ryan O'Toole
Power Home Remodeling Expands to Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina
2 Power Home Remodeling announced its expansion into the Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina region, establishing the company’s 27th territory location in the country following its recent expansion into Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Scott Griffith, vice president of customer development; Cam Dale, vice president of sales; and Kelsey Kluenser Argudo, vice president of delivery will lead the Raleigh-Durham territory.
Chelsea Building Products Partners with Hover
2 Chelsea Building Products has partnered with Hover. The partnership allows remodelers and contractors to generate accurate exterior renderings using Chelsea Building Products’s Everlast siding. Using Hover’s 3D mode, contractors are able to create interactive exterior renderings with 360-degree rotation and virtual walkthrough capabilities. The platform helps contractors move from smartphone photos and concept to material takeoffs and ordering faster than traditional methods.
It’s Time to Look and Feel the Part
6 With the upcoming investments in infrastructure, manufacturing and technology just getting started, there will come with it an extremely high demand for skilled blue collar and trade workers needed to build, operate, and maintain these investments for a very long time. This creates a serious and profitable opportunity for young workers just getting started and looking for a way to improve their and their family’s lives and future.
NARI 2026 RotY Awards: 40 Projects Honored with National Design Awards
5 The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) named 40 projects as winners of the 2026 National Remodeler of the Year Awards, at its Evening of Excellence event, which was held April 24 in Phoenix. The RotYs recognize exceptional craftsmanship, innovation, and project excellence. In recent years NARI has enhanced the award program to “reflect the evolving, collaborative nature of today’s remodeling industry”.
Product Trends: Composite Decking Trends Reshape Outdoor Living
4 The composite decking category continues to evolve at a rapid pace as manufacturers respond to changing homeowner expectations around performance, aesthetics, sustainability and outdoor living functionality. While wood decking remains part of the broader decking market, the strongest innovation activity today is occurring within capped composite, mineral-based composite and PVC decking systems.
Designer’s Notebook: Historic Remake
3 Our client, previously living in a cramped three-story condo in Philadelphia, jumped at the chance to purchase this historic home from the 1860s. Listed on the Philadelphia Historical Registry, the house required thoughtful updates to balance preservation with modern comfort. We redesigned the floor plan to create space for their three children and enhance areas for entertainment, ensuring the home was both functional and true to its historic charm.
NARI Announces New Executive Officers, Board of Directors for 2026-2027
3 The National Association of the Remodeling Industry announced its executive officers and committee chairs for the 2026–2027 service year, which began April 24. The group of professionals represents the diverse remodeling industry and is committed to advancing NARI’s mission of equipping remodelers nationwide with the resources to succeed and build trust with consumers.
Editor’s Note: Adaptation, Growth, and Opportunity
4 As the home improvement industry moves deeper into 2026, one truth has become increasingly clear: growth favors those willing to adapt. For many home improvement pros, remodelers, and entrepreneurs, adaptation no longer simply means adopting new products or technologies. It means rethinking business models altogether. That is why this month’s focus on franchise and dealer opportunities could not be more timely.
Franchise and Dealer Opportunities 2026: Opportunities to Grow and Specialize
4 Franchise opportunities represent the opportunity for a business to grow—whether that’s through expansion into one-day bath remodeling, window or deck installation, or another home improvement niche. Qualified Remodeler’s annual franchise and dealer opportunities list represents real opportunities for home services professionals looking to diversify and grow their business. Something different—a new revenue stream, a new path for growth—could be where one hadn’t previously considered.
Top 500 Profiles: Focus, Systems, and Specialization
3 In an industry where most remodelers diversify across kitchens, baths, additions and exterior projects, Chris McNally chose the opposite path. “We said no to everything else,” McNally says. “Everybody told me, ‘You’re going to do just basements?
The New Crew Member: How AI Agents Are Reshaping Remodeling Companies
4 For years, the remodeling industry has wrestled with the same stubborn operational challenges: fragmented communication, overloaded project managers, inconsistent documentation, buried job site information, and an endless stream of emails, schedules, selections, and subcontractor coordination. Most remodelers accepted that chaos as part of the business. Now, a small but growing group of contractors believes artificial intelligence can fundamentally change that equation. Not by replacing people.
HomeRite Opens Jacksonville Showroom
3 HomeRite Windows and Doors has expanded its retail footprint with the opening of a new 6,000-square-foot showroom in Jacksonville, Florida. The facility provides homeowners with an immersive, hands-on experience featuring a wide array of premium window and door products, including large-format pivot doors, sliding glass systems and a broad selection of entry doors.
Renuity Earns Guildmaster Recognition
4 Renuity has received the 2026 Guildmaster Award for customer service excellence, based on independently collected customer feedback. More than 90 percent of surveyed customers indicated they would recommend the company, reflecting consistently high satisfaction levels across its service offerings.
Synchrony Expands Lowe’s Credit Partnership
2 Synchrony has expanded its partnership with Lowe’s to introduce the MyLowe’s Pro Rewards American Express Card, offering enhanced purchasing flexibility for professional customers. The card allows users to earn rewards and access financing both within Lowe’s stores and anywhere American Express is accepted.
Study Highlights rising Cost of Homeownership
2 A new study from Synchrony highlights a growing disconnect between homeowner expectations and the actual cost of maintaining a home. While respondents estimated lifetime maintenance expenses at approximately $70,000, actual costs can exceed $339,000 and reach more than $400,000 when emergency repairs are included. Nearly half of homeowners reported delaying or canceling necessary repairs due to economic pressures, and most lack sufficient savings to cover unexpected costs.
Home Buying Demand Shows Signs of Rebound
2 Homebuying demand is beginning to recover as mortgage rates ease and market conditions stabilize, according to Redfin. Pending home sales rose 2.7 percent year over year during the four weeks ending April 26, while new listings increased 2.2 percent. Mortgage rates have declined to approximately 6.23 percent, improving affordability and encouraging some buyers to reenter the market.
No. 31: Scaling to New Locations
1 In this episode of Design Build Central, hosts Bill Millholland and Bruce Case share a high-level perspective on one of the most significant milestones for a residential remodeling firm: geographic expansion. Drawing from decades of leadership at Case Design/Remodeling, Bill and Bruce provide a candid assessment of what it truly takes to successfully manage multiple locations.
Trex Announces Zachary Lauer as SVP, COO
2 Trex Company, Inc. announced the appointment of Zachary C. Lauer as senior vice president and chief operations officer. Lauer previously served as senior vice president of supply chain and manufacturing. “Zach’s deep operational expertise and strong track record of leadership make him the ideal choice to serve as our Chief Operations Officer,” said Adam Zambanini, President and Chief Executive Officer of Trex.
NAHB Debuts Resource That Estimates Quarterly Remodeling Spending by State
37 The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) is debuting a new resource called the State Projections of Remodeling (SPR) that will provide a quarterly analysis of remodeling activity for each state in the nation based on total dollar volume, market share and change in remodeling spending.
NARI Announces 2026 National Remodeler of the Year Winners
41 The National Association of the Remodeling Industry (NARI) proudly announces the 2026 National Remodeler of the Year (RotY®) Award winners, recognizing the most innovative, expertly crafted, and transformative remodeling projects across the United States. Selected from a highly competitive pool of entries, these award-winning projects exemplify the pinnacle of design, craftsmanship, and project execution in today’s remodeling industry.
Cambria Announces Elizabeth Hurley as CCO
3 Cambria, producer of quartz surfaces, announced the appointment of Elizabeth Hurley as its chief commercial officer overseeing Cambria’s entire sales organization, including residential and commercial segments, and field sales teams nationwide. She will advance the company’s culture of excellence by developing long-term strategies that deepen relationships at every touchpoint—ensuring that growth serves both the business and the partners and customers who are central to its mission.
Home Remodeling Seen ‘Slowing Sharply’ in Early 2027
74 Annual spending on improvements and maintenance to owner-occupied homes is projected to “slow sharply” in early 2027, at a pace that remains positive in nominal terms but is less than overall inflation, according to the latest Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity, a quarterly report from the Remodeling Futures Program at the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University.
Miter Brands Announces New Brand Identity for PGT Windows and Doors
3 Miter Brands recently revealed the refreshed brand identity for PGT Windows and Doors, bringing its logo closer to that of its parent company. “The refreshed logo capitalizes on strong brand equity and presence, with the new wordmark celebrating the heritage and recognition of the PGT name,” a company press release stated. “The primary color palette represents the company’s key branded colors, including Miter Brands red, midnight blue, royal blue, onyx black, and shadow grey.
2026 Salone del Mobile Sees Attendance Increase, Reaffirming Status as Design Hub
6 The 2026 edition of the Salone del Mobile.Milano counted 316,342 visitors from 167 countries, representing a 4.5 percent increase in attendance from 2025. The design show, hosted each year in Milan, Italy, combined quality design, cultural content, and business opportunities for thousands of designers and professionals in the home improvement industry.
QXO to Acquire TopBuild for $17 Billion
1 QXO, Inc. announced on April 19, 2026, that it entered into a definitive agreement to acquire TopBuild Corp. for approximately $17 billion, expanding QXO’s scale in building products. The transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies and is subject to customary closing conditions, including approval by the shareholders of TopBuild and QXO. The acquisition is expected to close in the third quarter of 2026.
2026 Outdoor Planning Guide: People Come First Construction Group
2 The firm’s clients wished to redesign their backyard space both to encourage their kids to spend time outside and to use as a relaxing retreat. The clients’ appreciation of the Pacific Northwest’s beauty influenced their decision to remodel, and nature needed to be forefront. The firm reimagined the elevated deck with a grilling station, skylights, and built-in heaters so the clients can enjoy the space year-round.
2026 Outdoor Planning Guide: Texas Custom Patios/TCP Outdoor Living
3 The house built in 1999 backs up to a busy road, and the clients wanted their outdoor remodel to help dampen traffic noise. The final freestanding structure, with over 700 square feet of space, achieves this while providing space to grill and relax outdoors while the kids play. The team designed the structure with two dining areas, a large living space, and a 17-foot-long kitchen with an island. The kitchen includes a custom Brazilian grill, two fridges, and plenty of storage.
2026 Outdoor Planning Guide: Bonnie J. Lewis Design
2 The homeowners wanted to update their outdoor kitchen and living space as they loved entertaining. The outdoor project required new pavers, cabinets, countertops, and appliances. The louvered pergola system shelters the grill and cabinetry, creating a perfect space for cooking and relaxing. LED lights illuminate the outdoor kitchen at night, and mist fans keep the chef and guests cool during the day.
2026 Outdoor Planning Guide: Residential Designed Solutions
4 The goal of the project was to expand the home’s living space outward by renovating the elevated deck and creating a smooth transition between indoors and outdoors. The previous single-level deck was transformed into a multi-level outdoor living space, with an integrated grill station, fireplace, and covered patio below. The firm also added a fire pit and putting green.
2026 Outdoor Planning Guide: GTM Architects, INC.
4 The firm was initially tasked with designing a pool house on a narrow strip between a tennis court and pool. But the homeowners’ plans grew from there, adding a terrace at the rear of the home, an outdoor kitchen, new front porch entry, and a detached garage that sits across from the pool house. The project was a total reinvention of the clients’ outdoor space. The pool house’s narrow footprint necessitated two main entry points.
2026 Outdoor Planning Guide: Shades of Green Landscape Architecture
4 The property was once the homestead of a former vineyard worker, and the land was cultivated for production. The house sits elevated at the center of the lot, providing views but also a challenge to design around. The goal was to transform the outdoor area, which already included a deck and pool, into a series of ‘outdoor rooms’ which would expand the living space for the active family who bought the property as a getaway.
2026 Outdoor Planning Guide: Randy Angell Designs
4 The clients wanted an outdoor space that evoked the spirit of Frank Lloyd Wright—a task much easier imagined. The outdated pool area’s Usonian update also required an accessible pool entrance, and the firm was honored but intimidated to attempt the project. After Wright, every detail was designed with purpose and artistry. Porcelain pavers were chosen and set in a careful pattern, and the pool was updated with 5.5” risers and an FLW-inspired handrail.
2026 Outdoor Planning Guide: Powell Construction
4 Photos: Bustlin’ Annie Co. A ranch house from the 1980s was transformed into a southern-inspired, two-story farmhouse, with a front porch added as a functional outdoor living space. A series of terraces leads from the street to the porch, where sliding french doors open into the home. The porch’s southwest exposure maximizes sunlight while helping maintain cooler indoor temperatures. A double-sided fireplace provides heat during colder months, allowing for year-round hosting and entertaining.
2026 Outdoor Planning Guide: Projects
6 The following eight outdoor project profiles illustrate the variety of what remodelers can achieve with outdoor spaces. While all different, they’re unified under the same goal: to extend the home’s usable living space to the outdoors. The projects are: Powell Construction Shades of Green Landscape Architecture GTM Architects, Inc. Randy Angell Designs Residential Designed Solutions Bonnie J. Lewis Design Texas Custom Patios/TCP Outdoor Living People Come First Construction Group
Top 500 Profile: Entrepreneurship, Drive, and Expansion
7 Nick Zindel’s path into remodeling wasn’t linear. After graduating college, he and a friend launched a spray-foam insulation firm, leveraging experience from working on pipe-insulation projects during school. “We realized pretty quickly we could make more money and work less in construction than we could in banking,” he says. That venture found success and was eventually sold in 2008.
The 3 Percent Lead Source You’re Probably Underusing
4 If you could guarantee that a type of lead would cost you less than 3 percent and would be your highest-closing source, how many of you marketing leaders, owners, and sales managers would put their hands up? It’s not direct mail, television, events, radio, canvassing, lead aggregators, Google, streaming, retargeting, a showroom, social media or even organic search. Did you guess? Yes, it’s referrals.
Facing the Challenge of Hiring, Training, and Maintaining in 2026
4 Many people think of the DISC assessment as a communication or personality-style tool: Someone takes the assessment, receives a report, and they learn more about how they interact with others. That’s valuable, but it only scratches the surface. More information is needed for hiring, training, and effective management today. DISC assessments have been in use since the 50s.
Editor’s Note: This Market is Not Perfect, But It’s Pretty Good
6 Leads are more expensive. So is labor and just about everything else. But all things considered, this is a great time to be a remodeler. Let me explain. When I think about one of the worst periods for remodelers, I think about 2008. We went from an overheated, low-interest-rate environment in 2007 to the Great Recession and credit collapse just one year later. Remodeling activity fell by almost 40 percent. Everything was on hold. Yes, everything looks good in comparison to 2008.
2026 Outdoor Planning Guide: Elements
5 After Completing construction on and moving into their new home, the homeowners began to renovate their large backyard space. Their plans included a guest house, designed to be repurposed as an in-law suite, with a full kitchen and bathroom. Randy Angell Designs then planned a 34-foot steel beam and series of spindle-like columns to support the impressive cantilever-esque overhang extending from the guest house over an outdoor kitchen, dining area, and entertainment zone with TV and fireplace.
2026 Outdoor Buyers Guide
From the latest remodeling products to design and business ideas, Magazine is a business resource you can rely on. Register for complimentary print or digital editions here. NEW SUBSCRIBER RENEW SUBSCRIPTION Stay up to date on the latest home improvement and remodeling trends. Register here to receive complimentary newsletters, delivered to your inbox, every Tuesday and Thursday. SUBSCRIBE NOW
Top Trends in Outdoor Projects
3 The strongest through-line across recent research is that outdoor living is a high-priority remodeling category, but after more than a decade of white-hot category growth, the outdoor-living market is maturing with growth coming in premium sectors. From a consumer standpoint, the biggest demand remains around creating usable ‘outdoor rooms,’ covered seating, decks/patios, and indoor-outdoor continuity.
No. 38 Ed Kalaher, Window Depot
2 This episode features Ed Kailaher, president of Window Depot USA. He discusses the company’s unique dealer licensee business model. Some of the topics discussed include: Window Depot’s origin and growth as a network of dealers. Ed’s background in the home improvement industry and his journey to Window Depot. The advantages of Window Depot’s dealer licensee model, emphasizing the “why do this alone?” philosophy.
AI Isn’t Coming for Contractors. It’s Coming FOR Contractors.
1 A few weeks ago, Jensen Huang—the CEO of NVIDIA—stood in front of thousands of people at their annual technology conference and said something that stuck with me. He compared AI agents to HTML and Linux. Not as a prediction. As a statement of fact. Every company, he said, needs an AI strategy. Now. I’ve been in the home improvement industry long enough to remember when ‘technology’ meant getting your sales team to actually use the CRM.
Department of Labor honors fallen workers with Workers Memorial Ceremonies
1 On April 23, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration and Mine Safety and Health Administration will gather with families from across the country to honor loved ones who have lost their lives on the job during its national Workers Memorial program.
Creating a Culture of Continual Improvement
1 Most remodeling business owners can do very well keeping up with everything when the business is just getting started. However, as a business grows, the daily list of to-do items grows with it. To keep up, additional employees are added in the office and in the field. The risk, in this scenario, is that the owner, lacking any real business systems—and not knowing any other way to grow—resorts to micromanaging everyone and everything.
Cambria Appoints Elizabeth Hurley Chief Commercial Officer
3 Cambria, a manufacturer of quartz surfaces, announced the appointment of Elizabeth Hurley as chief commercial officer, which oversees the company’s sales organization, including residential and commercial segments, and field sales teams. “Elizabeth brings a proven track record of building high-performing sales organizations and developing strategies that generate meaningful, sustainable growth,” said Andrew Eich, chief operating officer and president of Cambria.
No. 37: Marcus Sheridan on AI
2 In this episode of the Talking Top 500 Podcast, Marcus Sheridan, author of “They Ask, You Answer”, joins Patrick O’Toole and Tim Musch for a discussion on how AI is transforming the home improvement industry. Their conversation was wide-ranging, covering several aspects of AI’s growth in home improvement spaces.
Pella Announces Taylor Hougland EVP, Group President, Business Units
1 Pella Corporation announces Taylor Hougland as Executive Vice President & Group President, Business Units, effective April 6, 2026. Hougland has broad experience managing large portfolios and go-to-market strategies. Most recently, he managed a multi-billion-dollar North American business unit at Whirlpool Corporation, overseeing multiple brands, product lines, and manufacturing operations with full profit and loss accountability. “We are thrilled to welcome Taylor Hougland to Pella Corporation.
USG Corporation Appoints Chris Macey President, CEO
5 USG Corporation announced Chris Macey to President and Chief Executive Officer. Chris Macey, a 30-year industry veteran who recently served as USG’s Chief Operating Officer, takes the helm following a planned succession process first announced earlier this year “I am honored to lead USG at such a pivotal moment,” said Chris Macey, President and CEO of USG Corporation.
New York State Builders Association Announces 2026 Empire Building Award Winners
1 The New York State Builders Association (NYSBA) announced the winners of the 2026 Empire Building Awards, presented by Pella Windows and Doors, during a ceremony held March 26 at the Long Island Builders Institute Trade Expo in Huntington, Long Island. The event brought together leaders from across New York’s residential construction industry to recognize excellence in home building, design, and housing leadership.
Show More
loading
Actions
Is this you?
As a journalist, you can create a free Muck Rack account to customize your profile, list your contact preferences, and upload a portfolio of your best work.Get in touch with Ryan
Contact Ryan, search articles and posts on X, monitor coverage, and track replies from one place.
Learn more about Muck Rack