Home Repair Cost Statistics 2026
The most comprehensive, publicly available dataset of U.S. home repair and remodeling costs. All labor rates verified against Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics. Updated monthly as new data becomes available.
Last updated: June 25, 2026
Key Statistics at a Glance
Methodology
Our cost estimates are derived from three primary sources:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) — We use median hourly wages for each trade (e.g., BLS code 49-9021 for HVAC technicians) as the labor cost baseline. Data is from the most recent annual OEWS release (May 2024 estimates, published March 2025).
- Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) adjustments — BLS wage data is available at the MSA level, allowing us to provide city-specific labor cost estimates. Contractor rates are calculated as 2.3–2.8× the base BLS wage to account for overhead, insurance, profit margin, and benefits.
- Material cost indexes — Material costs are sourced from manufacturer suggested retail prices and supplier catalogs, adjusted quarterly for inflation using the Producer Price Index (PPI) for construction materials.
This methodology ensures our data is reproducible and verifiable. Anyone can cross-reference our labor rates against the BLS OEWS database.
Complete Home Repair Cost Data — All 35 Services
National average costs for every service category we track, ranked from most to least expensive. All labor rates from BLS OEWS data:
| # | Service | National Average | Typical Range | BLS Labor Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Swimming Pool | $38,000 | $20,000 – $65,000 | $20.10/hr |
| 2 | Kitchen Remodel | $28,000 | $12,000 – $60,000 | $26.40/hr |
| 3 | Solar Panels | $22,000 | $15,000 – $35,000 | $24.20/hr |
| 4 | Bathroom Remodel | $12,500 | $6,000 – $35,000 | $26.40/hr |
| 5 | Siding | $10,500 | $5,000 – $18,000 | $26.20/hr |
| 6 | Demolition | $10,000 | $2,000 – $25,000 | $20.10/hr |
| 7 | Roofing | $9,500 | $5,000 – $25,000 | $22.54/hr |
| 8 | Deck & Patio | $8,500 | $4,000 – $15,000 | $26.20/hr |
| 9 | Septic System | $7,500 | $3,000 – $15,000 | $30.46/hr |
| 10 | Cabinet Installation | $7,500 | $3,000 – $15,000 | $19.80/hr |
| 11 | Stucco | $7,500 | $4,000 – $12,000 | $24.50/hr |
| 12 | HVAC | $7,200 | $3,500 – $12,000 | $26.72/hr |
| 13 | Foundation Repair | $5,500 | $2,000 – $12,000 | $24.00/hr |
| 14 | Asphalt Paving | $5,500 | $2,500 – $10,000 | $22.80/hr |
| 15 | Landscaping | $4,500 | $1,000 – $15,000 | $17.29/hr |
| 16 | Concrete & Driveway | $4,500 | $2,000 – $12,000 | $24.16/hr |
| 17 | Fence Installation | $4,000 | $1,500 – $10,000 | $20.63/hr |
| 18 | Water Damage Restoration | $3,500 | $1,200 – $12,000 | $23.15/hr |
| 19 | Painting | $3,500 | $1,500 – $8,000 | $21.87/hr |
| 20 | Mold Removal | $3,500 | $1,500 – $9,000 | $23.60/hr |
| 21 | Insulation | $3,200 | $1,500 – $6,500 | $22.50/hr |
| 22 | Chimney Repair | $2,500 | $200 – $7,000 | $28.00/hr |
| 23 | Gutters | $2,200 | $600 – $5,000 | $26.50/hr |
| 24 | Water Heater | $1,800 | $800 – $3,500 | $30.46/hr |
| 25 | Garage Door | $1,200 | $800 – $4,500 | $22.77/hr |
| 26 | Tree Service | $1,200 | $250 – $3,500 | $22.40/hr |
| 27 | Home Security | $1,200 | $300 – $3,000 | $24.80/hr |
| 28 | Window Replacement | $650/window | $300/window – $1,500/window | $24.89/hr |
| 29 | Pest Control | $400 | $150 – $3,000 | $19.27/hr |
| 30 | Home Inspection | $400 | $250 – $700 | $32.00/hr |
| 31 | Electrical | $350/job | $200 – $8,000 | $29.61/hr |
| 32 | Plumbing | $320/job | $150 – $5,000 | $29.35/hr |
| 33 | Carpet Cleaning | $300 | $120 – $600 | $16.20/hr |
| 34 | Appliance Repair | $250 | $100 – $500 | $22.00/hr |
| 35 | Flooring Installation | $8/sq ft installed | $3/sq ft – $22/sq ft | $23.51/hr |
2026 Home Repair Industry Overview
The U.S. home repair and improvement market continues to grow, driven by aging housing stock and deferred maintenance from 2020–2023. Key industry data for 2026:
- Market size: The U.S. home improvement market is valued at approximately $625 billion in 2026 (Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, "Improving America's Housing" 2025 report).
- Median home age: The median age of U.S. owner-occupied housing is 41 years (U.S. Census Bureau, American Housing Survey, 2023), meaning most homes need significant ongoing maintenance.
- Labor shortage: The construction industry faces a shortage of approximately 500,000 workers (Associated Builders and Contractors estimate, 2025), putting upward pressure on labor costs across all trades.
- Material inflation: Construction material costs rose 3.8% year-over-year as of Q1 2026 (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Producer Price Index), down from 12%+ during 2021–2022 but still above the pre-pandemic 2% annual trend.
- Average annual spend: U.S. homeowners spend an average of $6,548 per year on home maintenance and repairs (Angi, State of Home Spending Report, 2025 edition).
- Homeownership rate: 65.7% of U.S. households own their home (Census Bureau, Q4 2025), representing approximately 86 million homeowner households.
Highest-Paid Home Repair Trades (BLS Data)
Median hourly wages for residential trades, per Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data. The "Homeowner Rate" column reflects what consumers actually pay, including contractor overhead:
| # | Trade | BLS Median Wage | SOC Code | Est. Homeowner Rate* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Home Inspection | $32.00/hr | — | $80–$96/hr |
| 2 | Septic System | $30.46/hr | — | $76–$91/hr |
| 3 | Water Heater | $30.46/hr | — | $76–$91/hr |
| 4 | Electrical | $29.61/hr | 47-2111 | $74–$89/hr |
| 5 | Plumbing | $29.35/hr | 47-2152 | $73–$88/hr |
| 6 | Chimney Repair | $28.00/hr | — | $70–$84/hr |
| 7 | HVAC | $26.72/hr | 49-9021 | $67–$80/hr |
| 8 | Gutters | $26.50/hr | — | $66–$80/hr |
| 9 | Bathroom Remodel | $26.40/hr | 47-2031 | $66–$79/hr |
| 10 | Kitchen Remodel | $26.40/hr | 47-2031 | $66–$79/hr |
| 11 | Siding | $26.20/hr | — | $66–$79/hr |
| 12 | Deck & Patio | $26.20/hr | — | $66–$79/hr |
| 13 | Window Replacement | $24.89/hr | 47-2121 | $62–$75/hr |
| 14 | Home Security | $24.80/hr | — | $62–$74/hr |
| 15 | Stucco | $24.50/hr | — | $61–$74/hr |
| 16 | Solar Panels | $24.20/hr | — | $61–$73/hr |
| 17 | Concrete & Driveway | $24.16/hr | 47-2051 | $60–$72/hr |
| 18 | Foundation Repair | $24.00/hr | — | $60–$72/hr |
| 19 | Mold Removal | $23.60/hr | — | $59–$71/hr |
| 20 | Flooring Installation | $23.51/hr | 47-2042 | $59–$71/hr |
| 21 | Water Damage Restoration | $23.15/hr | 47-4041 | $58–$69/hr |
| 22 | Asphalt Paving | $22.80/hr | — | $57–$68/hr |
| 23 | Garage Door | $22.77/hr | 49-9071 | $57–$68/hr |
| 24 | Roofing | $22.54/hr | 47-2181 | $56–$68/hr |
| 25 | Insulation | $22.50/hr | — | $56–$68/hr |
| 26 | Tree Service | $22.40/hr | — | $56–$67/hr |
| 27 | Appliance Repair | $22.00/hr | — | $55–$66/hr |
| 28 | Painting | $21.87/hr | 47-2141 | $55–$66/hr |
| 29 | Fence Installation | $20.63/hr | 47-4031 | $52–$62/hr |
| 30 | Swimming Pool | $20.10/hr | — | $50–$60/hr |
| 31 | Demolition | $20.10/hr | — | $50–$60/hr |
| 32 | Cabinet Installation | $19.80/hr | — | $50–$59/hr |
| 33 | Pest Control | $19.27/hr | 37-2021 | $48–$58/hr |
| 34 | Landscaping | $17.29/hr | 37-3011 | $43–$52/hr |
| 35 | Carpet Cleaning | $16.20/hr | — | $41–$49/hr |
*Homeowner rate = BLS median wage × 2.5–3.0× multiplier. This accounts for employer taxes (7.65% FICA), workers' compensation insurance (8–15% in construction trades), general liability insurance, vehicle/equipment costs, office overhead, and contractor profit margin (10–20%). Methodology consistent with NAHB Cost of Doing Business Study.
Regional Cost Variations Across 50 States
Home repair costs vary dramatically by location. Based on our analysis of 6,580 cities across all 50 states:
Most Expensive Markets (30–60% Above National Average)
- San Francisco–Oakland–Hayward, CA — BLS wages for most trades are 40–60% above national median
- New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY-NJ — Strong union presence pushes wages 30–50% above average
- Boston–Cambridge–Nashua, MA-NH — Tight labor market, 25–40% premium
- Seattle–Tacoma–Bellevue, WA — Tech-driven cost of living, 25–35% premium
- Honolulu, HI — Island logistics add 35–55% to material costs alone
Most Affordable Markets (20–35% Below National Average)
- Rural Mississippi — Lowest BLS wages for most trades nationally
- Arkansas (non-metro areas) — 25–30% below national averages
- West Virginia — Lower cost of living keeps trade wages 20–30% below median
- Rural Alabama — Outside Birmingham metro, costs run 20–25% below average
- Oklahoma (non-metro) — Abundant labor supply keeps rates competitive
Key finding: Labor cost — not materials — drives 70–80% of regional price differences. Materials (lumber, copper, concrete) are commodity-priced nationally with only 5–15% regional variation. But a plumber in San Jose, CA earns $45+/hr (BLS) vs. $22/hr in rural Mississippi, which directly determines what homeowners pay.
Home Repair Cost Trends (2020–2026)
Year-over-year changes in home repair costs based on BLS wage data (labor) and Producer Price Index (materials):
| Year | Labor Cost Change (YoY) | Material Cost Change (YoY) | Combined Impact | Context |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2020 | +2.1% | +1.8% | +2.0% | Pandemic slowdown, reduced demand |
| 2021 | +4.3% | +12.4% | +7.8% | Supply chain crisis, lumber spike |
| 2022 | +5.8% | +14.1% | +9.3% | Peak inflation, material shortages |
| 2023 | +4.7% | +2.3% | +3.7% | Materials normalizing, labor still tight |
| 2024 | +3.9% | +1.1% | +2.7% | Stabilization period |
| 2025 | +3.5% | +2.8% | +3.2% | Steady growth, labor shortage persists |
| 2026 (Q1 annualized) | +3.2% | +3.8% | +3.5% | Tariff impacts on materials emerging |
Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (annual releases) for labor; BLS Producer Price Index series for construction materials (WPUSI012011, WPUSI012012). 2026 figures based on Q1 data annualized.
Cumulative Impact: 2020 vs. 2026
A home repair that cost $10,000 in January 2020 now costs approximately $13,800 in 2026 — a 38% cumulative increase. The breakdown:
- Labor component (60% of cost): up ~30% ($6,000 → $7,800)
- Material component (40% of cost): up ~50% ($4,000 → $6,000)
Most Common Home Repairs by Frequency
Based on industry data from the American Housing Survey (Census Bureau, 2023), HomeAdvisor/Angi service request data, and insurance claim statistics:
| # | Repair Category | % Homeowners/Year | Avg. Cost | Emergency Rate* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Landscaping & tree maintenance | ~35% | $4,500 | 15% |
| 2 | Appliance repair/replacement | ~30% | $250 | 25% |
| 3 | Plumbing (leaks, clogs, water heater) | ~25% | $320/job | 45% |
| 4 | HVAC service & repair | ~20% | $7,200 (replacement) | 35% |
| 5 | Interior/exterior painting | ~18% | $3,500 | 2% |
| 6 | Electrical (outlets, panels, wiring) | ~15% | $350/job | 20% |
| 7 | Pest control | ~14% | $400 | 30% |
| 8 | Roofing (leaks, shingle replacement) | ~12% | $9,500 | 40% |
| 9 | Flooring repair/replacement | ~8% | $8/sq ft | 5% |
| 10 | Foundation/structural issues | ~5% | $5,500 | 10% |
*Emergency rate = percentage of jobs in that category that are urgent/same-day. Emergency calls typically cost 1.5–2× regular rates. Source: HomeAdvisor True Cost data, Insurance Information Institute claims data.
Home Repair Insurance Coverage Guide
A common question: "Will my insurance cover this?" Based on standard HO-3 (Special Form) homeowners insurance policies, which cover approximately 80% of U.S. homeowners:
| Repair Type | Covered? | Conditions & Exclusions |
|---|---|---|
| Water damage (sudden pipe burst) | ✅ Yes | Must be sudden and accidental. Gradual leaks, flooding, and sewer backup excluded unless rider purchased. |
| Storm damage (roof, siding, windows) | ✅ Yes | Wind, hail, lightning, fallen trees. Subject to deductible (often 1–2% of home value for wind/hail in some states). |
| Fire/electrical damage | ✅ Yes | Fire damage fully covered. Preventive rewiring to avoid fires is NOT covered. |
| HVAC replacement (wore out) | ❌ No | Maintenance and wear-and-tear excluded. Only covered if destroyed by a covered peril (fire, lightning). |
| Foundation repair (settling) | ❌ No | Earth movement, settling, poor drainage excluded. Separate earthquake policy required in seismic zones. |
| Mold removal | ⚠️ Limited | Only if caused by a covered water event. Typical sub-limit: $5,000–$10,000. Mold from humidity/neglect excluded. |
| Plumbing (pipe replacement) | ⚠️ Partial | Damage caused BY a burst pipe: covered. Replacing the deteriorated pipe itself: usually not covered. |
| Termite/pest damage | ❌ No | Almost universally excluded. Considered preventable maintenance. |
Note: Coverage varies by carrier and state. Always review your specific policy declarations page. Home warranty plans (separate from insurance) may cover mechanical systems like HVAC and plumbing.
Data Coverage Summary
Each of our 35 service pages contains state-by-state breakdowns with city-level pricing. For detailed local estimates, visit any service page (e.g., HVAC costs, Plumbing costs, Roofing costs) and select your state.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often is this data updated?
City-level cost estimates are updated monthly. BLS occupational wage data is released annually (May estimates published the following March). Material cost adjustments use quarterly PPI releases from BLS.
Can I use this data in my article or research?
Yes. Our data is free to cite for journalistic, academic, and editorial purposes. We ask that you include a link to fixhomecosts.com/statistics/ as your source. No permission needed — just link back.
How do you calculate what homeowners actually pay from BLS wages?
We apply a 2.3–2.8× multiplier to BLS median hourly wages. This accounts for: FICA taxes (7.65%), workers' compensation insurance (8–15% for construction trades), general liability insurance (2–5%), vehicle and equipment costs, office overhead, and contractor profit margin (10–20%). This methodology aligns with the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Cost of Doing Business Study findings.
Why do your estimates differ from HomeAdvisor or Angi?
Our data is anchored to BLS occupational wage statistics — the same federal data used by the Department of Labor, Federal Reserve, and academic researchers. Crowd-sourced platforms rely on contractor self-reported pricing (which may be inflated for lead generation) or homeowner recall (which may be inaccurate). Our approach is independently verifiable using public BLS data.
What is the most expensive home repair in 2026?
For new construction/installation: swimming pools ($38,000 national average). For major renovation: kitchen remodels ($28,000). For repairs: foundation repair ($5,500 average, but can reach $12,000+) and roofing ($9,500 average for full replacement).
How much should I budget annually for home maintenance?
The commonly cited "1% rule" (budget 1% of home value per year for maintenance) is reasonable for newer homes. For homes over 20 years old, budget 1.5–2%. The national average actual spend is $6,548/year per homeowner (Angi, 2025). On a $400,000 home, that's about 1.6% — right in line with the guideline.
Sources & References
All data on this page is derived from publicly available government and industry sources:
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024 national and MSA estimates. bls.gov/oes
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), Producer Price Index — Construction Materials (Series WPUSI012011, WPUSI012012). bls.gov/ppi
- Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University, Improving America's Housing, 2025 report. jchs.harvard.edu
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Housing Survey, 2023. census.gov/programs-surveys/ahs
- U.S. Census Bureau, Quarterly Residential Vacancies and Homeownership, Q4 2025. census.gov/housing/hvs
- National Association of Home Builders (NAHB), Cost of Doing Business Study. nahb.org
- Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC), Construction Workforce Shortage Analysis, 2025. abc.org
- Angi (formerly Angie's List), State of Home Spending Report, 2025 edition.
- Insurance Information Institute, Homeowners Insurance Claims Data. iii.org