Home service spending and job values, 2026: what homeowners will pay, and how they decide
Homeowners are staying put in older houses and fixing what breaks. That is good news for trades, with a catch: they get more quotes, delay when the number surprises them, and pay a premium for speed. Here is the 2026 data, trade by trade.
How much will homeowners spend on home services in 2026?
More than half (56%) expect to spend over $3,000 on home projects in 2026 and about a third over $7,500, per Housecall Pro’s May 2026 survey of 1,100+ homeowners. 79% expect to repair or replace at least one home system, led by plumbing (28%), appliances (25%), exterior (23%), HVAC (20%), electrical (18%) and roofing (14%). 72% would pay more to have an emergency fixed within 24 hours, and 68% get extra quotes when an estimate surprises them.
What homeowners plan in 2026
| Finding | Share of homeowners | What it means for a contractor |
|---|---|---|
| Expect to spend more than $3,000 | 56% | Most of your customers have budget; the question is who gets it |
| Expect to spend more than $7,500 | About 33% | Replacement-size jobs are planned, not just emergencies |
| Plan to stay in their current home | 72% | Repair and maintain, not sell; long customer lifetimes |
| Live in a home over 20 years old | 69% | Systems are at or past end of life |
| Expect to repair or replace at least one system | 79% | Demand is there across trades |
| Delaying or cutting project scope | 77% | Follow-up and phased quotes win jobs |
| Get more quotes when the estimate is higher than expected | 68% | Your follow-up competes with two other numbers |
| Call a pro after a sudden failure | 58% | Emergencies are still the front door |
| Wait until a small problem gets worse | 51% | Seasonal reminders and maintenance plans pull work forward |
| More likely to proceed if financing is offered | 62% | Put financing in the day-3 follow-up text |
| Would pay more for emergency fix within 24 hours | 72% | Speed is a price lever, not just a courtesy |
| Would hire a pro rather than DIY a repair over $500 | 57% | The DIY threshold is lower than most think |
| Postponed a repair that later cost more | 41% | A useful, true line in reactivation texts |
Which systems homeowners expect to work on
| Category | Homeowners planning work | 2026 job value data point | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plumbing | 28% | $1,714 average LSA ticket; $350–$600 routine; $800–$2,500 emergency | SearchLight Digital Q1 2026 via Web Tonic |
| Appliances | 25% | Repair usually $150–$450 (trade estimate) | Our client data |
| Exterior (siding, fencing, landscaping) | 23% | $6,000–$20,000 hardscape; $3,000–$7,000 irrigation | Our Texas client data |
| HVAC | 20% | Repair ticket rose from $818 to $1,205; replacements in five figures | Housecall Pro HVAC Industry Trends via Web Tonic 2026 |
| Electrical | 18% | $2,500–$4,500 panel upgrade; $900–$2,200 EV charger | Our Texas client data |
| Roofing | 14% | $12,000–$25,000 insurance replacement (Texas) | Our Texas client data |
| Cleaning | not surveyed | $118–$238 standard; $240–$500 deep clean (2,000 sq ft) | Angi 2026 cost data, 90,000+ projects |
Where a figure is labelled “our client data”, it is the range we see across Texas home service accounts we work with, not a published study. Use the published rows for anything you quote externally.
Five things this data says about winning jobs in 2026
- Speed is priced. 72% will pay more for a 24-hour fix. Answering every call and texting every lead inside five minutes is not a cost; it is a price premium.
- Quotes are compared. 68% get more quotes when surprised. A day 0/1/3/7 follow-up with one real fact per text is how you stay in the comparison.
- Delay is the default. 77% delay or cut scope. Phased quotes and financing (62% more likely to proceed) recover those jobs.
- Old houses, loyal owners. 72% staying put in homes over 20 years old means lifetime value; reviews, referrals and reactivation pay more than new-lead spend.
- Small problems become big ones. 51% wait; 41% paid more for waiting. Seasonal reminders pull that work into your quiet months.
Texas notes
Texas housing skews newer in the growth suburbs (Collin, Denton, Williamson, Hays, Fort Bend) and older inside the loops of Dallas, Houston and San Antonio, so the “69% in homes over 20 years old” figure varies by zip. Texas weather makes the emergency share higher than the national survey: HVAC in summer, plumbing on freeze nights, roofing after hail. Whatever you text to recover delayed jobs, keep follow-ups inside SB 140 hours (9am to 9pm, noon to 9pm Sunday).
Questions owners ask
How much do homeowners plan to spend on home services in 2026?
56% expect to spend over $3,000 and about a third over $7,500, per Housecall Pro’s May 2026 survey of 1,100+ US homeowners.
Which home systems will homeowners repair most in 2026?
Plumbing (28%), appliances (25%), exterior (23%), HVAC (20%), electrical (18%) and roofing (14%).
Will homeowners pay more for fast service?
Yes. 72% said they would pay more to have an emergency resolved within 24 hours.
Do homeowners get multiple quotes?
68% seek more quotes when an estimate is higher than expected. Plan your follow-up assuming you are one of three.
Does financing help close jobs?
62% are more likely to proceed when financing is offered.
What is the average HVAC repair ticket in 2026?
Housecall Pro’s HVAC trend data shows the repair ticket rising from $818 to $1,205; replacements run into five figures.
What is the average plumbing ticket?
SearchLight Digital’s Q1 2026 LSA data shows $1,714; routine work $350–$600 and emergencies $800–$2,500.
How much does house cleaning cost in 2026?
Angi’s 2026 data: $118–$238 for a standard clean and $240–$500 for a 2,000 square foot deep clean.
Are these Texas numbers?
The survey is national. Texas weather pushes the emergency share higher; our client-data rows are Texas ranges.
How often is this page updated?
Quarterly, as the source studies refresh.
Next pages
Sources
- Housecall Pro, The State of Home Service Spending, press release 13 May 2026 (survey of 1,100+ US homeowners).
- Web Tonic, Plumbing Google Ads Statistics 2026 (updated 9 Oct 2026), citing SearchLight Digital Q1 2026.
- Web Tonic, HVAC Marketing Attribution Statistics (updated 9 Oct 2026), citing Housecall Pro HVAC Industry Trends.
- Web Tonic, Cleaning Services Google Ads Statistics 2026, citing Angi 2026 cost data (90,000+ projects).
- Texas SB 140 (1 Sep 2025); Texas AG settlement Nov 2025.
72% will pay more for speed. Are you fast enough to charge for it?
We answer every call, text every lead inside a minute and follow up every quote, so you win the homeowners who are comparing.