Home & Repairs
HVAC, roofing, plumbing, windows and appliances: what the job costs, what drives the quote, and when repairing beats replacing.
25 guides · 5 calculators
Calculators
All calculators →Mini-Split Cost Calculator
Size a ductless system in BTU and see the installed price range for your home.
Open calculator → Home & RepairsWater Heater: Repair or Replace?
Enter age, type and repair quote to get a clear repair-vs-replace verdict.
Open calculator → Home & RepairsRoof Replacement Cost Calculator
By roof size, pitch and material.
Open calculator → Home & RepairsWindow Replacement Cost Calculator
Per-window pricing by frame type.
Open calculator → Home & RepairsChristmas Tree and Lights Cost Calculator
Real vs artificial tree break-even, plus what your lights add to the electric bill.
Open calculator →HVAC
8 guides
Annual HVAC Maintenance Cost: What a Tune-Up Should Cost
A real HVAC tune-up costs $90 to $220 per visit in 2026. See what's included, what the $59 specials actually sell, and which tasks you can do yourself.
Central AC Replacement Cost: 2026 Pricing Guide
Central AC replacement runs $5,500 to $12,000 installed in 2026. See tonnage sizing, SEER2 trade-offs, and itemized example quotes before you sign.
Ductwork Replacement Cost: 2026 Pricing Guide
Whole-house duct replacement costs $3,000 to $9,000 in 2026, roughly $30 to $45 per linear foot installed. Why quotes vary and when sealing wins.
Gas Furnace Replacement Cost: 2026 Guide
A new gas furnace costs $4,000 to $9,500 installed in 2026. See 80% vs 95% AFUE payback math, venting requirements, and three itemized example quotes.
Heat Pump Installation Cost: 2026 Price Guide
Air-source heat pumps cost $9,000-$22,000 installed in 2026. Ducted vs ductless pricing, what drives the spread, and why the 30% federal credit is gone.
How Much Does a Mini Split Cost? 2026 Price Guide
Single-zone mini splits run $2,800-$5,500 installed in 2026. See per-zone pricing, BTU sizing, labor and electrical costs, and where quotes go higher.
Heat Pump vs Gas Furnace: Real 2026 Cost Comparison
At $1 per therm gas and 15¢ electricity, a gas furnace usually heats cheaper. When heat pumps win, when they don't, and the math to run yourself.
Mini Split vs Central Air: 2026 Cost Comparison
A 3-zone mini split runs $7,000-$12,000 installed; central air for a ducted house runs $5,500-$10,000. Compare install, operating cost, and lifespan.
Plumbing
5 guides
Whole-House Repipe Cost: PEX vs. Copper in 2026
Repipe a whole house for $6,000 to $15,000 with PEX, $10,000 to $20,000+ in copper. See what drives quotes and the signs replacement is due.
Sump Pump Replacement Cost: Installation Pricing 2026
Sump pump replacement runs $450 to $1,200 installed; battery backup adds $800 to $1,800. See pump types, sizing, and what makes cheap pumps fail.
Tankless Water Heater Cost: What You'll Pay in 2026
Gas tankless water heaters run $2,500 to $5,500 installed, electric $1,800 to $4,000. The honest payback math, plus when a plain tank still wins.
Water Heater Replacement Cost: 2026 Pricing Guide
Tank water heater replacement runs $1,300 to $3,200 installed. See gas vs. electric pricing, code upgrades that add cost, and real itemized scenarios.
Water Main Line Replacement Cost: Full 2026 Guide
Replacing a water service line runs $2,500 to $7,500 typical, $10,000+ under pavement. See trenchless options and who pays for what on your street.
Roofing
4 guides
Gutter Replacement Cost: Full 2026 Pricing Guide
Seamless aluminum gutters run $6 to $14 per linear foot installed. Most homes land between $1,100 and $3,200 all-in, downspouts and haul-away included.
Metal Roof vs. Shingles: True Cost Comparison 2026
Standing seam metal runs $12 to $20 per square foot installed, 2 to 3 times shingles. We compare cost per year, noise, insurance, resale, and example totals.
Asphalt Roof Replacement Cost: 2026 Pricing Guide
Asphalt roof replacement runs $8,000 to $20,000 for most homes. See per-square pricing, pitch multipliers, decking surprises, and itemized example quotes.
Roof Repair vs. Replace: How to Decide in 2026
A patch makes sense under roughly 25% damage on a younger roof. Use age thresholds, damage patterns, and the 25% rule to decide before you pay either way.
Windows & Doors
3 guides
Front Door Replacement Cost: 2026 Pricing Guide
A new front door runs $700-$2,500 installed for steel or fiberglass in 2026. See slab vs prehung pricing, sidelight premiums, and storm door costs.
New Windows Energy Savings: The Honest Payback Math
Replacing windows saves most older homes $100 to $350 a year on energy. See the honest payback math, cheap fixes, and when window replacement wins.
Window Replacement Cost: 2026 Per-Window Pricing
Window replacement runs $450-$1,100 per window installed in 2026. See vinyl vs wood vs fiberglass pricing, full-frame vs insert, and a 10-window total.
Appliances
2 guides
Refrigerator Repair or Replace: Costs and Age Rules
Typical refrigerator repairs run $150 to $650, while a compressor job can top $1,000. Use the 50 percent rule and age bands to decide with confidence.
Washing Machine Repair or Replace: A Cost Framework
Drain pump repairs run $150 to $300 and control boards $250 to $450, but bearing failures usually mean it's time to replace the whole washer.
General
2 guides
Annual Home Maintenance Budget: The 1% Rule Tested
Plan on 1% to 2% of home value each year, $3,000 to $6,000 on a $300,000 house. Build a sinking fund around the big five expenses, not guesswork.
Contractor Quote Red Flags: 9 Warning Signs to Check
Nine contractor quote red flags that cost homeowners thousands, from sign-today pressure to far-below bids, and exactly what a trustworthy quote includes.
