Homeowners are racking up record amounts of home equity, thanks to fast-rising values in today's competitive housing market. No surprise, more people are now starting to tap that cash. What are they spending it on? Mostly making their homes even more valuable.

Renovation spending is soaring, and 80 percent of borrowers taking out home equity lines of credit say they would consider using that money to renovate, according to a survey released in December by TD Bank.

"We're not only seeing more requests for proposals, but more committed projects from home owners," said Steve Cunningham, a remodeler from Williamsburg, Virginia, in a report from the National Association of Home Builders. "In addition to regular updates and repairs, there's been an uptick in more ambitious large remodel requests."

Remodeling spending topped $152 billion in 2017, and renovations for owner-occupied single-family homes will increase 4.9 percent in 2018 over 2017, according to the NAHB. That does not include remodeling done by investors looking to flip or rent properties, both of which are increasing as well.