News

Housing starts surged by 40 percent in 2018

New homes, like this one in Berwick Downs in Flat Rock, fueled $150 million worth of new dwellings permitted in 2018.

By Bill Moss, Published: February 4, 2019

Reflecting a booming construction economy, new construction surged by 27 percent while remodeling work spiked by 62.5 percent in 2018, according to values reported to the Henderson County Inspections Department.

Housing starts climbed to 834 units (including apartments) from 596 in 2017, a 40 percent increase. Residential remodeling rose by 14.5 percent, or 917 jobs versus 801 in 2017.
Construction of new houses and apartments was $150 million, up 6.6 percent while commercial work more than doubled, reaching $72.4 million, compared to $34.4 million in 2017 — a 111 percent increase.
The value of residential remodeling showed a 6.4 percent year-over-year gain, at $25.4 million, while commercial remodeling and additions doubled in value, to $32 million. The total remodeling value was $57.3 million, up 62.5 percent.
The county collected $1.6 million in permitting fees, a 60.4 percent increase over the 2017 total of $1 million.