24 Home Renovation Statistics: What Projects Cost, What They Return, and Why Homeowners Hire Pros (2026)

Home renovation in the US is a half-trillion-dollar market shaped by an aging housing stock, shifting budgets, and a clear preference for professional help on anything beyond cosmetic work. This guide pulls together 24 current, sourced statistics on what projects cost, what they return at resale, and why most homeowners hire out the job. If you are weighing a project, our full list of home services shows where these numbers apply in practice.

Home renovation spending

1. US remodeling spending sits around $509 billion a year

Annual homeowner spending on improvements and repairs reached roughly $509 billion in 2025, according to Harvard’s Joint Center for Housing Studies. That figure reflects a market that has stayed resilient even through higher interest rates and softer home sales.

2. Spending is projected to set a record near $526 billion

The Leading Indicator of Remodeling Activity projected spending would climb about 2.5% to a record near $526 billion by the first quarter of 2026, per JCHS. Rising home values and a steady labor market continue to support the gains.

3. The average household spent $12,050 on home projects in 2024

Homeowners spent an average of $12,050 across all home projects in 2024, down from $13,667 in 2023, according to Angi’s State of Home Spending. The dip reflects tighter budgets, not less interest in improving the home.

4. Improvements account for the largest share of spending

Of that total, the average household put about $9,322 toward home improvements in 2024, with another $1,750 on maintenance and $978 on emergency repairs, per Angi. Improvement projects remain the biggest line item in the home budget.

5. 93% of homeowners planned a project for the year ahead

Some 93% of homeowners planned to take on home projects in 2025, with routine maintenance (36%) and interior painting (22%) topping the list, according to Angi. Demand for home work stays broad even when wallets tighten.

The chart below shows national average costs for common projects, drawn from the cited cost guides in this section. Costs vary by region, materials, and home size, so treat these as planning baselines. For a number specific to your home, request a free fixed-price estimate.

6. A kitchen remodel runs about $14,550 to $40,400

A typical kitchen remodel costs between $14,550 and $40,400 nationally, according to This Old House. Median spend on small kitchens reached $35,000 in 2024 and large kitchens $55,000, per Houzz. Scope and finish level drive most of the spread, which is why a detailed kitchen remodeling scope matters.

7. A bathroom remodel runs about $6,600 to $28,000

Bathroom projects range from roughly $6,600 to $28,000 depending on size and fixtures, per This Old House. Houzz puts the 2024 median at $17,000 for small bathrooms and $25,000 for large ones (Houzz). A bathroom remodel usually lands in the middle of that range.

8. A roof replacement averages $15,439

Replacing a 2,000-square-foot asphalt shingle roof averages $15,439, with a typical range of $6,885 to $23,993, according to This Old House. Roofing is a safety-critical job where professional installation protects the structure below.

9. Finishing a basement costs $7,000 to $23,000

Finishing a 1,000-square-foot basement runs $7,000 to $23,000, or about $7 to $23 per square foot, per This Old House. Waterproofing, electrical, and plumbing needs push basement renovation costs toward the high end.

10. Building a deck averages $8,293

A new deck averages $8,293 nationally, with most homeowners spending between $4,339 and $12,628, according to HomeAdvisor. Material choice, from pressure-treated wood to composite, is the biggest variable in deck building costs.

11. A whole-home renovation averages about $52,275

Renovating a 1,250 to 1,600-square-foot home averages $52,275, within a range of $19,500 to $88,400, per This Old House. Larger and higher-finish projects sit well above that midpoint.

The gauge below shows the standout return in the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report: a garage door replacement recoups about 268% of its cost at resale (Cost vs. Value).

12. Garage door replacement recoups about 268% at resale

A garage door replacement averaged $4,672 and added $12,507 in resale value, a 267.7% return and the highest of any tracked project, per the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report. Modest exterior upgrades consistently lead the rankings.

13. A steel entry door returns about 216%

Replacing an entry door with a steel unit cost about $2,435 and returned $5,270, a 216.4% recoup, according to Cost vs. Value. Curb-appeal projects punch above their weight on resale.

14. Manufactured stone veneer returns about 208%

Adding manufactured stone veneer cost roughly $11,702 and added $24,328 in value, a 207.9% return, per the Cost vs. Value Report. Exterior finishes again outpace big interior remodels.

15. A minor kitchen remodel recoups about 113%

A minor kitchen remodel averaged $28,458 and returned $32,141 in resale value, a 112.9% recoup, according to Cost vs. Value. A focused refresh beats a full gut job on return.

16. A wood deck addition recoups about 95%

A wood deck addition cost about $18,263 and recouped $17,323, a 94.9% return, per the 2025 Cost vs. Value Report. Outdoor living space remains a strong resale play.

When homeowners hire professional help, they lean heavily on specialists. The chart below shows how the work breaks down among 2024 renovators (Houzz).

17. About 9 in 10 renovators hired a pro

Roughly 9 in 10 renovating homeowners hired professional help in 2024, the same dominant share as prior years, according to the 2025 Houzz & Home study. Hiring out is the norm, not the exception.

18. Half of homeowners hired a specialty service provider

Specialty service providers were the most-hired type of pro, used by 49% of renovating homeowners, while nearly 3 in 10 hired a general contractor, per Houzz. Matching the right specialist to the job is exactly what our vetted pro network is built around.

19. 54% of homeowners renovated in 2024

More than half of homeowners, 54%, undertook renovation projects in 2024, with kitchens and bathrooms tied as the most popular rooms to upgrade at 24% each, according to Houzz. Renovation is a mainstream activity, not a niche one.

20. 45% of Americans have botched a DIY project

Nearly half of Americans, 45%, have completely botched a home improvement project they took on without professional help, and 57% wish they had called in a pro before starting, according to a survey of 2,000 homeowners. Do-overs erase any DIY savings fast.

21. 59% put off needed repairs over cost

Some 59% of homeowners put off necessary repairs because of cost, and 42% ignored maintenance issues entirely due to cost anxiety, per American Home Shield. Delay tends to turn small fixes into expensive ones. A financing option can keep a needed repair from sliding.

22. Most homeowners feel unequipped for safety-critical work

When it comes to riskier trades, 71% say they would need a professional for electrical work, 52% for roofing, and 46% for plumbing, according to American Home Shield. These are the jobs where permits, code compliance, and insured crews matter most.

23. The median US home is 42 years old

The median age of owner-occupied homes climbed to 42 years in 2024, up from 31 in 2005, according to NAHB analysis of Census data. Older homes need more frequent repairs, system replacements, and updates.

24. Nearly half of homes were built before 1980

About 47% of owner-occupied homes were built before 1980, and roughly 34% before 1970, per NAHB. That aging base is a structural tailwind for ongoing renovation and maintenance demand.

What this means for homeowners

• Smaller, well-chosen projects often return more than big remodels, so prioritize curb appeal and focused refreshes when resale is a goal (Cost vs. Value).
• Safety-critical trades like roofing, electrical, and plumbing are where DIY mistakes get expensive, and where licensed, insured crews protect both your home and its resale value.
• Pro House Maintenance pairs you with vetted, licensed and insured pros matched to your specific project, and provides free fixed-price estimates so you know the cost before any work starts.
• We serve homeowners across the US and Canada. Browse service areas or request an estimate to get a number for your home.

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