20 Home Maintenance Statistics: What Upkeep Costs and the Price of Deferring It (2026)
The 2026 numbers behind routine home upkeep, from yearly budgets and the 1% rule to the real cost of putting off repairs and why most homeowners hire vetted pros.
Home maintenance is the quiet, recurring side of homeownership, and in 2026 it is taking a bigger bite out of household budgets. This guide gathers 20 current, sourced statistics on what routine upkeep costs per year, how much homeowners actually budget versus spend, and the steep price of putting off repairs. The pattern is clear: small, on-schedule maintenance is far cheaper than the failures that follow neglect. If you would rather hand the recurring work to a pro, our handyman services cover the everyday upkeep most homes need.
Key Takeaways
- US households spent an average of $2,041 on maintenance and $1,143 on emergency repairs in 2025, both up from the prior year (Angi).
- A common budgeting rule is 1% to 4% of home value per year for maintenance, or about $3,000 to $12,000 on a $300,000 home (American Home Shield).
- The average annual cost to maintain a single-family home reached $6,663, up about 8% year over year (Thumbtack).
- 59% of homeowners say they are putting off repairs because they cannot afford them (Today’s Homeowner).
- 29% of homeowners needed a preventable repair from delayed maintenance, and of those, 44% spent at least $5,000 (Clever Offers).
- 83% of homeowners faced unexpected repairs in 2024, nearly double the 46% reported a year earlier (Hippo).
- 58% of homeowners have nothing saved for emergency repairs (Clever Offers).
What home upkeep costs per year
1. The average single-family home costs $6,663 a year to maintain
The average annual cost to maintain a single-family home rose to $6,663, an increase of about 8% year over year, according to Thumbtack. Townhomes averaged $2,284 and condos or apartments about $774, reflecting how much exterior and system upkeep drives the total.
2. The 1% to 4% rule points to $3,000 to $12,000 on a typical home
A widely cited guideline is to set aside 1% to 4% of your home value each year for maintenance, which works out to roughly $3,000 to $12,000 annually on a $300,000 home, per American Home Shield. Older homes and harsher climates tend to land at the higher end.
3. Households spent $2,041 on maintenance and $1,143 on emergency repairs in 2025
US homeowners spent an average of $2,041 on maintenance in 2025, up from $1,750 in 2024, while emergency repair spending rose to $1,143 from $978, according to Angi. Both categories grew even as discretionary improvement spending edged down.
4. Total home project spending averaged $12,472 in 2025
Across all categories, households spent an average of $12,472 on home projects in 2025, a 3.5% increase from $12,050 in 2024, per Angi. Maintenance and emergency repairs absorbed a larger share of that total than the year before.
5. Homeowners completed an average of 10 projects in 2025
Households took on an average of ten home projects in 2025, up from nine in 2024, according to Angi. More projects per home points to a steady drumbeat of upkeep rather than occasional big remodels.
Source: Angi 2025 State of Home Spending.
How much homeowners budget versus spend
6. 71% of homeowners postponed a planned project in 2025
Roughly 71% of homeowners said they had postponed a planned home project during 2025, according to Angi. The gap between what people plan and what they fund is a recurring theme in the data.
7. 62% are more worried about affording maintenance than a year ago
About 62% of homeowners said they were more concerned about affording maintenance than they were at the end of 2024, per Angi. Nearly half (48%) reported that stress from mandatory repairs had increased since the start of the year.
8. 71% are focused on preventative maintenance to avoid bigger bills
In the same report, 71% of homeowners said they were focused on preventative maintenance to head off costlier issues later, according to Angi. Prevention is now a budgeting strategy, not an afterthought. Scheduled gutter cleaning is a classic example of low-cost prevention.
9. 31% of homeowners have $1,000 or less saved for emergencies
About 31% of homeowners reported having $1,000 or less set aside for emergencies, according to a Today’s Homeowner survey of 1,000 homeowners. With many repairs starting in the four-figure range, that cushion disappears fast.
10. 42% of homeowners with regrets cite higher-than-expected upkeep costs
Among homeowners who reported regrets, 42% said maintenance and other hidden costs were more expensive than they expected, the most common complaint, per the Bankrate Homeowner Regrets Survey. Upkeep is consistently underestimated at purchase.
Deferred maintenance and skipped repairs
11. 59% of homeowners are putting off repairs they cannot afford
Nearly 6 in 10 homeowners (59%) said they were delaying home repairs because they could not afford them, according to Today’s Homeowner. The same survey found that 82% of homeowners said at least one area of their home needs maintenance.
12. 50% say they need repairs right now that they cannot afford
Half of homeowners (50%) said there are necessary home renovations they need right now but cannot fund, based on a Clever Offers survey of 1,000 property owners. Cost, not willingness, is the binding constraint.
13. 65% have delayed or ignored a maintenance task in the past five years
Nearly 2 in 3 homeowners (65%) said they had delayed or ignored a maintenance task in the past five years, per Clever Offers. Deferral is the norm, which is exactly how small issues compound.
14. 29% needed a preventable repair after delaying maintenance
More than 1 in 4 homeowners (29%) said they had needed a preventable repair because of delayed maintenance, according to Clever Offers. Of that group, 72% said the preventable repair cost at least $1,000 and 44% said it cost at least $5,000. A timely plumbing repair is far cheaper than the water damage a slow leak can cause.
15. 30% of homeowners have gone into debt completing a renovation
Almost 1 in 3 homeowners (30%) said they had gone into debt to complete a home renovation, per Clever Offers. Spreading costs over time can be smarter than ignoring a problem until it becomes an emergency; see our financing options.
Among the 29% who needed a preventable repair after delaying maintenance. Source: Clever Offers.
Emergency repairs and unexpected costs
16. 83% of homeowners faced unexpected repairs in 2024
About 83% of homeowners were hit by unexpected home repairs in 2024, nearly double the 46% reported a year earlier, according to the Hippo Housepower Report. Water damage, roof damage, and window or door issues were the most common culprits.
17. 46% spent more than $5,000 out of pocket on unexpected repairs
Among homeowners hit by surprise repairs in 2024, 46% spent more than $5,000 out of pocket, up from 36% the prior year, per Hippo. Surprise costs at that scale are exactly what drains thin emergency funds.
18. 85% of homeowners paid for an unplanned repair in 2025
Approximately 85% of homeowners spent money on an unplanned repair in 2025, and 58% reported having nothing saved for emergency repairs, according to Clever Offers. The combination of frequent surprises and thin savings is what turns repairs into financial stress.
19. 87% had an issue in the past year that required a pro
Some 87% of homeowners experienced a home issue in the past year that required a professional, and more than a third could not cover an emergency repair over $1,000, according to American Home Shield. Most homes need a pro at some point each year, ready or not.
Share of homeowners who faced unexpected repairs in 2024 (up from 46% in 2023). Source: Hippo Housepower Report.
Common tasks and rising prices
20. Roof, tree, and lawn care top annual service costs, and prices keep rising
Among the most expensive recurring services in early 2025, roof repair and maintenance averaged about $1,471 a year, tree trimming or removal about $1,138, and lawn mowing about $823, according to Bankrate. Individual maintenance prices have also climbed sharply: Thumbtack tracked heating system repair up about 42% year over year, roof repair up 26%, air conditioning up 20%, and gutter cleaning up 14%. Staying ahead of these tasks with pressure washing, gutter cleaning, and regular HVAC service protects the systems that cost the most to replace.
Source: Bankrate.
What this means for homeowners
- Budget for upkeep on purpose. Expect somewhere between the 1% to 4% rule of thumb and the $2,041 in maintenance plus $1,143 in emergency repairs that the average household spent in 2025, then adjust for your home age and climate.
- Prevention is the cheap path. With 29% of homeowners needing a preventable repair after delaying maintenance, and 44% of those spending at least $5,000, on-schedule upkeep almost always beats waiting.
- Build an emergency buffer. Since 58% of homeowners have nothing saved for emergencies and 85% paid for an unplanned repair in 2025, a small reserve, or flexible financing, keeps a surprise from becoming a crisis.
- Hire the recurring work out. Most homes need a pro at some point each year, so routine gutter, HVAC, and plumbing care is best handled by someone who catches warning signs early.
- Pro House Maintenance matches you with vetted, licensed and insured pros and gives free fixed-price estimates for upkeep across the US and Canada. Find your area on our locations page or request an estimate to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much should I budget for home maintenance each year?
A widely used rule of thumb is to set aside 1% to 4% of your home value each year for upkeep, so a $300,000 home points to roughly $3,000 to $12,000 annually. In practice, US households spent an average of $2,041 on maintenance and $1,143 on emergency repairs in 2025, and total home project spending averaged $12,472. The right number depends on the age and condition of your home, which is why a free fixed-price estimate from a vetted pro beats guessing.
What is the 1% rule for home maintenance?
The 1% rule suggests budgeting about 1% of your home value per year for maintenance, with many guides extending the range to 1% to 4% for older homes or harsher climates. It is a planning starting point, not a precise forecast. Because actual costs swing with the age of your roof, HVAC, and plumbing, it helps to get a fixed-price estimate from a vetted, licensed and insured pro before the work is urgent.
Why is deferring home maintenance so expensive?
Small problems rarely stay small. About 29% of homeowners say they have needed a preventable repair because of delayed maintenance, and of those, 72% spent at least $1,000 and 44% spent at least $5,000. Routine upkeep such as gutter cleaning, HVAC service, and minor plumbing repair is far cheaper than the water damage, system failures, and rot that follow neglect. Pro House Maintenance can match you with vetted pros and a free fixed-price estimate for routine upkeep.
How many homeowners skip repairs because of cost?
Nearly 6 in 10 homeowners (59%) say they are putting off home repairs because they cannot afford them, and 50% say there are necessary renovations they need right now but cannot fund. Cost pressure is widespread, which is why financing options and a clear fixed-price estimate matter. You can see flexible payment options on our financing page.
Should I hire a pro for routine maintenance or do it myself?
Routine upkeep that is done correctly and on schedule is what prevents the expensive failures. With 87% of homeowners reporting a home issue in the past year that required a pro and 83% hit by unexpected repairs in 2024, professional help reduces missed warning signs and repeat work. Pro House Maintenance matches you with vetted, licensed and insured pros and gives free fixed-price estimates.