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Big Fixes, Big Price Tags: The Rising Cost of Home Maintenance and Repairs
AHS Home Team
July 15, 2025
Your home may be big or small, old or new, in the city or the country, but one thing’s for sure: home maintenance costs are rising. Everyday repairs have only gotten more expensive in recent years. So why is this happening? And what can you do about it?
A 2024 American Home Shield® survey found that while 87% of homeowners experienced a home issue in the past year that required a Pro, many couldn’t afford the fix. Over 33% couldn’t cover an emergency repair over $1,000, and 15% couldn’t swing one over $500. Additionally, more than 1 in 3 homeowners panic when something breaks because of the steep associated home maintenance expenses.
We’re here to help break down why house maintenance costs are rising—and explain why it doesn’t need to be this way.
In this article:
Why costs are rising
Types of costs
Common home repair costs
Cost management strategies
Why are home maintenance costs rising?
If it feels like fixing or maintaining your home is getting more expensive by the day, you're not imagining things. The cost of everyday home maintenance has gone up, fast. From rising material prices to labor shortages, a combination of economic and practical realities is driving those bills higher. Here’s a breakdown of what’s behind the surge.
Inflation is driving up the cost of materials and tools
Inflation is raising the prices of our groceries and gas, but it’s also hitting hardware stores and home service providers. The price of materials like lumber, copper, drywall, and even nails has climbed in recent years. For example, the price of WPC (wood, plastics and composites), furnishings, finishes and MEP (mechanical, electrical and plumbing) product costs may rise as much as 5% over the course of 2025. Add in the rising costs of specialized tools and equipment, and even minor jobs can carry a major price tag.
Skilled labor is in short supply
Tradespeople like electricians, plumbers, and HVAC technicians are in high demand, but there aren’t enough of them. A labor shortage in the skilled trades has made it harder to book reliable professionals, and when you do, their service fees have gone up. Why? Fewer workers mean longer wait times and more demand, which drives prices higher. In many areas, homeowners are seeing hourly rates for technicians increase by more than 20% in the last few years.
Supply chain disruptions are rippling through the system
In an era of ongoing economic uncertainty and continued supply chain slowdowns you can expect shifts in how quickly and affordably parts and appliances can be replaced. Global manufacturing delays, shipping bottlenecks, and material shortages mean that a water heater that used to take a week to replace might now take three, and it could cost significantly more due to higher shipping or sourcing costs.
America’s homes are getting older
The average U.S. home is close to 40 years old, and older homes often mean aging systems and worn-out appliances. As key components like HVAC systems, plumbing, and electrical wiring reach the end of their lifespan, repairs and replacements become more frequent and more expensive. That means even homeowners who haven’t had major issues in the past may be facing unexpected home maintenance costs now.
Preventative maintenance is often delayed or skipped
Not everyone has the time, tools, or know-how to tackle regular home maintenance. Whether it’s due to budget constraints, busy schedules, or a lack of DIY confidence, many homeowners put off small maintenance tasks that can turn into costly emergencies down the line. Skipped HVAC filter changes or uncleaned gutters may not seem like a big deal... until they are.
Types of home maintenance costs
Owning a home comes with the responsibility of regular upkeep and the occasional unexpected repair. Understanding these home maintenance costs can help homeowners budget effectively and avoid financial surprises.
Ongoing maintenance
Routine maintenance tasks are essential to keep a home in good condition and prevent minor issues from escalating. These tasks include:
- HVAC tune-ups
- Gutter cleaning
- Roof inspections
- Appliance servicing
On average, homeowners spend between $4,000 and $22,000 annually on home maintenance, depending on factors like the home's age, size, location, and condition.
Emergency repairs
Despite regular maintenance, unexpected issues can arise, necessitating emergency repairs. Common emergency repairs and their average costs include:
- Plumbing emergencies: $120 to $300 per hour during nights and weekends.
- Roof repairs: $150 to $1,000 for minor issues; up to $6,000+ for extensive water damage.
- HVAC repairs: $150 to $450 on average, with service call fees ranging from $75 to $200.
Financial experts recommend setting aside an additional 1% to 4% of your home's value annually to cover such unexpected home maintenance expenses.
Most common home repairs and their costs
Understanding the most frequent home repairs can help homeowners anticipate potential issues and budget accordingly. Based on industry data and internal surveys, here are some common repairs, their average costs, and what a total replacement might look like*:
*Repair/replacement cost is the eightieth percentile as reported in a nationwide survey of homeowners conducted in 2024 by ClearVantage for American Home Shield.
| Appliance | Typical Range | Highest Estimate |
| Heating (furnace) repairs | $125 to $480 | $5,600 |
| Cooling (AC) repairs | $150 to $650 | $6,000 |
| Refrigerator repairs | $125 to $500 | $1,800 |
| Washer and dryer repairs | $100 to $400 | $850 |
| Oven repairs | $150 and $350 | $1,200 |
| Dishwasher repairs | $100 and $300 | $900 |
| Minor plumbing repairs | $125 to $350 | - |
| Major plumbing repairs | $500 to $800 | - |
4 Strategies to manage home maintenance costs
Rising house maintenance costs might be a fact of life right now, but that doesn’t mean you’re powerless. With a little planning and the right tools, you can take control of your home’s maintenance budget and avoid that sinking feeling when something breaks. Here’s how:
1
Set a realistic budget
First up: get your budget in shape. A good rule of thumb is to set aside 1% to 4% of your home’s value each year for home maintenance expenses. So, if your home is worth $300,000, try to save $3,000 to $12,000 annually for upkeep. You can also use the square footage rule (about $1 per square foot per year) as a quick estimate.
Consider building a home maintenance savings fund, separate from your general emergency savings, to help you stay ready for anything from leaky faucets to furnace freakouts.
2
Practice preventive maintenance
While adding extra chores to your plate can feel cumbersome, regular upkeep can save you thousands in the long run. Cleaning gutters, replacing air filters, checking water heater pressure valves are little tasks that can help you avoid big, budget-busting repairs.
Need help keeping track? We’ve got maintenance guides and seasonal checklists to walk you through it all, step by step.
3
Embrace the easy DIY fix
Not every repair needs an in-person Pro. Some jobs, like resetting a tripped breaker or unclogging a sink, are totally DIY-friendly. With the proper tools and a clear guide to follow, you should feel empowered to handle some small repairs on your own.
With American Home Shield video chat for select plans, DIY never has to mean doing it fully by yourself. With this feature, you can connect to an Expert in real time through live video chat to get help troubleshooting or walking through a fix, at no extra cost.
4
Consider a home warranty
No matter how well you take care of your home’s systems and appliances, things will break down—that’s a part of life. But a fridge fritzing out or a sink sputtering to a stop shouldn’t mean draining your savings. A home warranty can offer a serious safety net. Plans from American Home Shield help cover the repair or replacement costs for up to 23 of your home’s major systems and appliances due to normal wear and tear. That kind of peace of mind is hard to put a price on.
How American Home Shield helps protect your wallet
When home systems and appliances break down, American Home Shield is in your corner. With home warranty plans starting as little as $1 a day, you get real protection against real-life problems.
Here’s what makes AHS a homeowner’s best backup:
- Low service fees instead of full-blown repair bills. Just pay your set fee, and we take care of the rest, subject to your plan limit amounts.
- Coverage for normal wear and tear, the kind of everyday use that causes most breakdowns over time.
- Protection for major systems and appliances, including HVAC, plumbing, electrical, kitchen & laundry appliances, water heaters, ductwork, and more.
- No maintenance records required, and we even cover issues caused by rust, corrosion, and sediment buildup.
- Talk to a repair Pro in real time over live video chat for help assessing or fixing issues through the AHS app.
- A variety of home warranty plan options to choose from to best fit your home, your lifestyle, and your budget.
- Member discounts and partner offers on home services and tools to help you maintain and improve your home all year round.
American Home Shield helps you spend less time worrying about “what if” and more time enjoying your home. With AHS, system and appliance breakdowns are no longer things to be feared: they’re opportunities to keep your home running smarter, smoother, and way more affordably.
Frequently Asked Questions
Each of our over 2 million members gets access to a nationwide network of thousands of local, qualified repair Pros; coverage for key parts of home systems and appliances; additional coverage options and special discounts on home maintenance services; plus, peace of mind and budget protection. We pay more claims — we paid $4 billion in home warranty claims in the last seven years, to be exact. AHS also covers older items, no matter their age and provides a 30-day workmanship guarantee.
Coverage for up to 23 home items, including parts of the systems and appliances you rely on every day. For more specific information, please see our What Do Home Warranties Cover? Page.
Homeowners insurance covers things that might happen like theft, fire and storm damage, and flooding. Home warranty plans cover things that will inevitably happen like heating and AC, electrical, plumbing, and kitchen and laundry appliance breakdowns. A home warranty is a great way to protect your budget and have peace of mind.
AHS assumes no responsibility, and specifically disclaims all liability, for your use of any and all information contained herein.
Sources:
- www.homedepot.com/c/pro-forecast-building-material-costs
- www.mckinsey.com/capabilities/people-and-organizational-performance/our-insights/tradespeople-wanted-the-need-for-critical-trade-skills-in-the-us
- data.census.gov/all?q=age+of+average+u.s.+home
- homeguide.com/costs/average-home-maintenance-costs
- homeguide.com/costs/average-plumbing-estimates
- homeguide.com/costs/roof-repair-cost
- homeguide.com/costs/ac-repair-cost
- homeguide.com/costs/average-plumbing-estimates
- blogs.cornell.edu/learning/how-much-money-is-too-much-for-home-maintenance