Manufactured Stone Veneer Tops 2024 Cost vs. Value Report
The newly released 2024 Cost vs. Value (CVV) report from Zonda Media highlights manufactured stone veneer (MSV) as a standout performer, underscoring its relevance and value in the masonry and hardscaping industry. Comparing this year’s findings with those from 2023 provides insights into how MSV continues to offer strong returns amid changing economic conditions.
2023 vs. 2024
In the 2023 CVV report, MSV delivered a solid 102.3% return on investment (ROI), a remarkable feat given the economic challenges such as rising mortgage rates, inflation, declining real estate sales, and supply chain disruptions. Despite these obstacles, MSV emerged as a leading investment, ranking third among 23 remodeling projects and leading all cladding projects.
Fast forward to 2024, and MSV has surpassed its previous performance with an impressive ROI of 153%. This significant increase highlights the growing recognition of MSV’s value among homeowners and real estate professionals. While other projects also performed well, MSV’s ability to consistently offer high returns underscores its enduring appeal in the masonry and hardscaping sector.
The Appeal of Manufactured Stone Veneer
Manufactured stone veneer is highly regarded in the industry for its ability to enhance a home’s exterior without the high costs associated with natural stone. Its versatility allows for various applications, from full facades to accent walls and fireplaces, making it a preferred choice among masons and hardscaping professionals. The realistic stone look of MSV significantly boosts curb appeal, making homes more attractive to potential buyers and increasing project value.
“Since 2015, manufactured stone veneer has continued to be one of the best investments a homeowner can make in their house,” said Garen Graves, Program Director at Amerimix and chair of CMHA’s MSV Marketing Subcommittee. “Remodeling’s 2024 Cost vs. Value Report expands on that trend and reminds us that not only does MSV bring durability and style to a home, but significant return for home renovations where every dollar counts. This is a testament to great products and great installations that will be beautiful for decades,” he added.
According to this year’s CVV report, MSV’s average project cost is $11,287 with a resale value of $17,291, resulting in a 153% return. This represents a significant increase of 50.7 percentage points compared to last year’s ROI of 102.3%, highlighting the growing value for homeowners investing in MSV, as well as the growing demand for professionals in the masonry and hardscaping industry.
Economic Considerations
The economic landscape has shifted from 2023 to 2024, but challenges such as rising costs and uncertainties remain. Despite these factors, the consistent high ROI of MSV projects suggests that exterior improvements are a priority for homeowners looking to maximize their investments. For professionals in the masonry and hardscaping industry, this trend highlights the importance of offering high-ROI solutions like MSV to clients.
The 2024 report reflects a market that values first impressions and curb appeal, with exterior projects like MSV leading the way. Real estate professionals surveyed for the CVV report emphasize that potential buyers are significantly influenced by a home’s exterior, making MSV a wise investment.
Conclusion
The 2024 Cost vs. Value report underscores manufactured stone veneer as a reliable investment for enhancing both the beauty and value of properties. Comparing the data from 2023 to 2024, it is clear that MSV continues to deliver maximum returns. With a 153% ROI this year, MSV stands out as a smart choice for those in the masonry and hardscaping industry looking to provide impactful solutions to their clients.
For professionals considering the best projects to recommend and undertake in 2024, the CVV report highlights the benefits of investing in manufactured stone veneer. To explore more details and see how other projects compare, read the full Cost vs. Value report from Zonda Media.
CMHA Announces 2023 Safety Award Program Winners
The Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2023 Safety Awards.
The prestigious honor is bestowed annually upon manufacturing plants and contractors that demonstrate a commitment to the well-being of their employees and their work environment. An impressive 155 awards were given out to manufacturing locations and contractors throughout North America that boast exemplary records.
“Our members who consistently promote and implement safe working practices should be honored. To see our members demonstrate their commitment to safety is incredible for the industry.”
CMHA President Bob Thomas.
Participants were eligible for awards through their OSHA 300A logs or equivalent Canadian injury reports from January 1 – December 31, 2023. This year, 11 Milestone Awards were given to facilities with more than five consecutive years of Safety Award Program entries with zero OSHA/Canadian injury report injuries. For the other categories, CMHA presented: 111 Platinum Awards (highest level of single-year achievement), 29 Gold Awards, and 4 Silver Awards, based on two formulas, one for Incident Rate (IR), and Days Away for Restrictions and Transfer Rate (DART).
To view the complete list of CMHA’s 2023 winners, click here.
Learn more about CMHA’s Safety Awards Program and how you can apply!
2024 HNA Awards Now Accepting Entries
Entries for the 2024 Hardscape North America (HNA) Awards are now being accepted. The popular annual awards program honors outstanding residential and commercial hardscape projects in nine different categories. Entries feature hardscaping designs for walkways, patios, pool decks, outdoor living kitchens and living spaces, and driveways as well as commercial plazas and streets.
Award winners will be recognized during the Hardscape North America trade show, October 16-18 in Louisville, KY. The HNA Awards Ceremony will take place at the Kentucky Exposition Center on October 17. Winners and honorable mention recipients will be featured on the HNA website and in several industry publications.
Eligible projects for the 2024 HNA Awards include both residential and commercial projects across various categories, with new categories introduced this year. This expansion allows for a broader range of entries, showcasing the diverse talent and innovation within the hardscape industry.
2024 Award Categories:
- Segmental Concrete Pavement
- Clay Brick Pavement
- Porcelain Paver Pavement
- Combination of Hardscape Products
- Retaining Walls
- Adhered Thin Veneers
- Natural Stone Pavement
- Outdoor Living Features
- Vintage Installation
Complete rules and requirements are available online. Projects are assessed based on design excellence, craftsmanship, construction, and compatibility. The entry deadline is August 23.
The HNA Awards are produced by the Concrete Masonry & Hardscapes Association (CMHA) and endorsed by the Brick Industry Association (BIA) and the Natural Stone Institute (NSI).
Learn more about the 2024 HNA Awards program including our new login experience.
Check out the 2023 HNA Awards Winners and Honorable Mention Recipients!
CMHA Welcomed Six New Members in April
Last month, CMHA welcomed one producer member and five contractor affiliate members to the association.
Producer
Contractor Affiliates
Cutting Edge Irrigation & Lawns, LLC
Marshal Renee Construction Companies
Palm Beach Contracting Services, Inc.
Interested in learning more about membership? Contact our membership team!
CMHA Welcomed 12 New Members in March
Last month, CMHA welcomed 12 new members to the association, including — three associate members, two contractor voting members, two professional affiliate members, and five contractor affiliate members.
Associates
Contractor Voting
Professional Affiliates
Contractor Affiliates
Jim Ricks Property Services
Red Fox Landscape Contractor, Inc.
Interested in learning more about membership? Contact our membership team!
Our New Website is Live
We are thrilled to announce the launch of our new website! The site has been a work in progress after the merger of ICPI and NCMA in July 2022 and the rebrand of the association to CMHA in 2023.
The new website solidifies CMHA’s role as the trusted source for segmental concrete products and systems.
The new site allows members to:
- Search our comprehensive library of technical resources
- Learn more about membership opportunities and benefits
- Find out more about our events, courses, and certification opportunities
- Search for member company information in the directories, including a members-only directory
- Update individual and company member records
- Get more involved in our initiatives
- Search our project profiles
- Learn more about building solutions
- Find out what other industry events are happening on the industry calendar
- Stay current on association and industry news and much more.
CMHA’s new brand carries through the design of the website. The site’s modern, clean look is visually appealing, relying on photography to tell CMHA’s story. New navigation and content areas provide an intuitive user experience, including a powerful new search function.
The new directories are powered by the content in the new CMHA member portal. If you have not updated your member or company profile on the new portal, take time today to log in, reset your password, and update your profile to ensure we have the most accurate and current information displaying in the directories. Have questions or need help with your profile? Contact the Membership Team.
We are excited about the opportunities the new site brings for the Association, our members, and the industry!
Momentum Builds After Successful Annual Meeting in Denver
The city of Denver was the perfect host for CMHA’s 2024 Annual Meeting, which took place February 5-8 in Denver, CO. Our nearly 400 attendees participated in committee meetings, received updates from association leaders on strategic initiatives, heard from featured speaker Jeremey Bess of ITR Economics during the General Session, had the opportunity to hear three innovative presentations during the Innovative Technology Forum, networked at several events including the Wednesday night social event, attended a fantastic plant tour and more!
This meeting set the pace for the association and its members for the rest of the year. Read more about initiatives from committee meetings, calls to action for our members, and what industry events CMHA is attending next.
Committee Applications Deadline: March 15
Ready to make a difference? Join a CMHA or Foundation Committee and become directly involved in the development and delivery of products and services alongside other members. Committee members have the distinct opportunity to share their opinions in the decision-making process and help serve member needs through interaction. This is a fantastic way to network with fellow members and serves as a way to grow professionally and personally.
If you are interested in serving on a committee, complete an application for a CMHA committee, or an ICPI or NCMA Foundation Committee. Applications are due next Friday, March 15.
CMHA Welcomed Five New Contractor Members in February
Last month, CMHA welcomed five new contractor members to the association.
Contractor Affiliates
Two Brothers Lawn and Snow, LLC
Interested in learning more about membership? Contact our membership team!
CMHA Board Installs Sam Hoehner as Chair to Board of Directors
During CMHA’s Annual Meeting in Denver, CO, Feb. 5-8, Sam Hoehner, Regional VP of Greater Louisville for Lee Building Products was installed as the Association’s new Board chair. Hoehner succeeds Matt Lynch of Oldcastle APG, who served as chair since 2022.
More than 400 attendees were on hand for CMHA’s Annual Meeting, February 5-8, which brings together the membership for committee meetings, the opportunity to connect and exchange ideas, to celebrate the past year’s accomplishments and give members an overview of the Association’s priorities for the ensuing year.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, I want to thank Matt for his unwavering support and leadership as board chair over the last several years. Matt, who was chairing NCMA at the time and was a past chair of ICPI, played a key role in bringing about the unification of those two organizations and launching the CMHA brand. We are grateful that he remains on the board,” said CMHA President and CEO Robert D. Thomas. “Sam’s wealth of knowledge and experience in the industry will strengthen CMHA’s efforts and his creative, strategic thinking will help shape the future of our organization and our industry.”
Thomas said, “I am confident in Sam’s leadership and know that he will bring an invaluable perspective and guidance as board chair.”
Hoehner attended Morehead State University where he played baseball and graduated with a Bachelor’s of Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting. He started his full-time career in the industry with Lee Building Products in the summer of 2000 helping with corporate inventory management and handling the monthly preparation and presentation of the financial statements. Hoehner attained his CPA license in 2001. In 2005, Hoehner moved to the Louisville area and took the leadership reins for Lee Building Products in that market. His experience with the Association began in 2015 when he attended his first NCMA meeting in Palm Springs. Over the last nine years, Hoehner has participated on many of the association’s committees—both pre and post-unification of ICPI-NCMA.
“I appreciate the trust and support of CMHA’s members to allow me to lead and serve in the role of chair over this next year,” Hoehner said. “It is a responsibility I take very seriously. It truly is an exciting time to be part of the masonry and hardscape industry. With the national concrete masonry check-off program in motion along with an association full of incredible talent ready to support and execute programs, the sky is the limit. It has been a great opportunity thus far to serve alongside such creative and inspiring individuals that continue to make us better. The confidence I have in our industry’s future is through the roof.”
Other board changes include the additions of David Pitre of Keystone Hardscapes as Vice Chair of the Board; Wayne Villaluna of Basalite Concrete Products as director and Hardscapes Committee Chair; Joseph Santarossa, Jr. of Santerra Stonecraft as director; and Matt Lynch transitioning into the role of Immediate Past Chair of the Board.
See the full Board of Directors.
