Pandemic Spurs Backyard Renovation Boom On Long Island

LINDENHURST, NY —The coronavirus pandemic spurred demand in every facet of home ownership as Long Islanders found themselves at home during quarantine. Home gyms, pools, renovations, and of course, houses themselves, have all been in hot demand since 2020. But demand for services, labor and materials for all forms of home renovations shows no sign of stopping, according to one Long Island paver business.

Nino Nicolia is a vice president at family-owned Nicolock, a Lindenhurst-based paving stone manufacturer and wholesaler. He told Patch that starting in May 2020, the company began seeing a large increase in demand for backyard renovations across Long Island.

"We are seeing people creating all kinds of outdoor living spaces, fire pits, outdoor kitchens. The focus is on making your home more livable."

Nicolia ascribes the demand to several aspects of the pandemic: homeowners found themselves at home, seeing the value of time at home, while having more disposable income normally spend on other luxury expenses like vacations, summer camps and things that weren't possible over the last year.

"The demand is carrying through the end of the year," he said, predicting the increased share of spending on home improvements will continue for the foreseeable future.

Nicolock has expanded its workforce 40% and doubled its sales in the past year.

Products are all still available, Nicolia explains, but customers need to prepare for longer lead times than normal, and some slight price increases on some products.

"Our manufacturing centers are working seven days a week."