Home Builders Look For a Better Year In Dubuque

Dubuque-The nation is working to recover from the largest housing market crash since the Great Depression. But some Eastern Iowa cities have faired pretty well during the slump, and some businesses in Dubuque are anticipating one of their best years since 2008. All weekend businesses will fill the Grand River Center in Dubuque, hoping to land new customers, at the Home & Builders Show. Some feel that more people are starting to get re-energized about remodeling and building.

For some Dubuque construction and remodeling businesses, 2012 is off to a decent start. "So far it's better than last year," said Jason Schuster, with Evergreen Construction, "we are seeing an economic turn around as far as housing is concerned." Bernie Reiff, the Purchasing Manager at Spahn & Rose agrees. "It seems like it's going to be a fairly decent year in the housing market. We've had a few rough years and it's picking up," said Reiff.

Some business leaders said the last few years haven't been terrible, but financially, more people decided to update and repair than rebuild. "People were going back and saying well, lets just do counter tops, lets do a new kitchen or whatever and not spending money to move or say let's do a new house," said Reiff.

According to the US census Bureau, in 2008 only 44 building permits were issued in Dubuque for single family homes. Last year 112 went out. While more people are building,they are building less. "The big difference has been square footage, people are more interested in smaller homes," said Schuster. "If they are doing a house, they are really cutting back and doing a basic house," said Reiff.

Some businesses hope this weekend brings back the spark for people to rebuild and remodel, but agree things could be a lot worse. "They say Dubuque has been a bright spot. It still is down but compared to other places, they have hurt more than us," said Reiff.

The Tri-State Home & Builders Show runs at the Grand River Center: Friday 5-9, Saturday 10-6, and Sunday 12-5. Admission is $5 for adults.