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What home improvement projects cost in 2026

National installed planning ranges for 52 common projects — a representative scenario for each, plus a cheaper and a pricier one — computed from the same line-item engines behind our calculators (materials, labor, equipment, permits, and contractor markup), calibrated to BLS wage data and public cost guides.

By Martin Lashgari, Ph.D., P.E., PMP · Last reviewed September 2026

How to read this table

The three ranges on each row are three scenarios, not three sizes. Each calculator ships with preset projects; we price every one with the real engine, then show the median-cost one as the representative scenario and the cheapest and priciest as the lower- and higher-cost scenarios. Those can differ in scope and materials as well as size — the scope of each is printed under its price — so a lower-cost scenario is not simply a smaller version of the representative one, and none of them is a claim about which job homeowners most often buy.

Every figure is a national planning range, not a bid — the low and high are summed independently from real line items, so the band reflects material grade, regional labor, and scope variation. Your ZIP code can move any number 10–35% either way; click through to a calculator to price your exact size, material, and region, and to sanity-check a contractor quote against the band. Figures were last derived on 2026-09-30 from the live calculator data. For the headline findings — median project cost, the labor-vs-materials split, category medians, and regional variation — see the 2026 Home Improvement Cost Index, plus the methodology and sources.

Outdoor & Landscaping

ProjectRepresentative scenarioInstalled rangeLower-cost scenarioHigher-cost scenarioIn category
Concrete SlabTypical project$5,090 – $8,271$2,077 – $3,18210x10 patio$20,494 – $33,70430x40 shop slab
Gravel10x20 river-rock bed$2,162 – $3,718$808 – $1,41550 ft french drain$7,468 – $12,83916x40 heavy driveway
Mulch3 tree rings (4 ft each)$582 – $996$302 – $52310x20 vegetable garden$2,322 – $3,839Playground 20x20
Paver Patio12x16 brick patio$5,218 – $9,000$2,019 – $3,39110x10 concrete patio$16,884 – $29,58920x40 paver driveway
Asphalt DrivewayResurface double (24x24)$4,173 – $7,341$678 – $1,233Sealcoat (576 sf)$14,844 – $26,082Long driveway (12x100)
Fence150 lf aluminum decorative$4,806 – $9,484$2,874 – $6,946200 lf chain-link$27,072 – $44,009400 lf wrought iron + auto gate
Deck12x16 PT family deck$8,984 – $15,427$4,231 – $7,10110x12 ground-level deck$36,408 – $60,78020x24 PVC deck
Porch16x12 covered porch$13,499 – $26,352$2,172 – $3,89710x10 concrete front porch$25,530 – $49,75416x16 three-season room
SidewalkNew 4 ft x 40 ft walk$1,658 – $3,086$1,474 – $2,436Driveway apron 12 ft x 6 ft$2,313 – $5,050Remove & replace 4 ft x 40 ft
In-Ground PoolLap pool — full$97,627 – $171,092$56,837 – $103,471Vinyl liner — basic$247,030 – $432,735Gunite — full premium
Retaining WallMedium block (4 ft x 40 lf)$12,177 – $21,417$6,125 – $10,561Small block (3 ft x 30 lf)$33,994 – $60,133Engineered concrete (6 ft x 50 lf)
Sprinkler / IrrigationDrip garden (3 zones)$4,297 – $7,470$4,047 – $7,031Small lot (2 zones)$11,976 – $20,952Large lot (8 zones)
Tree RemovalStorm-damage emergency$2,928 – $5,004$1,816 – $3,054Small tree (<30 ft)$5,930 – $10,483XL with crane
Storage ShedPre-built vinyl (10x12)$7,715 – $13,459$2,637 – $4,380Small resin kit (8x10)$21,147 – $36,074Custom 12x16 stick-built
Concrete DrivewaySingle long$7,089 – $11,481$3,268 – $5,188Single short$16,647 – $27,586Stamped double

Exterior Envelope

ProjectRepresentative scenarioInstalled rangeLower-cost scenarioHigher-cost scenarioIn category
RoofingTypical 2000 sf arch reroof$14,049 – $20,019$10,881 – $15,779Ranch (1500 sf simple)$36,414 – $53,737Complex 3-story (2500 sf)
Siding2000 sf Hardie re-side$27,215 – $44,634$8,919 – $14,709400 sf stone accent$38,768 – $63,6491800 sf cedar shake
Window Replacement5 vinyl - kitchen reno$6,655 – $11,604$1,718 – $2,6181 vinyl double-hung$17,768 – $30,08410 fiberglass - upgrade
Garage DoorDouble insulated steel$4,657 – $7,987$1,349 – $1,820Opener swap only$9,599 – $16,797Double glass modern
Gutters1-story 120 LF (typical ranch)$2,418 – $3,946$829 – $898Cleaning only (200 LF)$10,454 – $18,937Copper / premium 200 LF
SkylightReplace existing skylight$2,801 – $5,380$954 – $1,8101 sun tunnel$5,187 – $9,1801 solar-vented
Chimney RepairCap + crown repair$2,523 – $4,160$506 – $660Annual sweep + inspect$11,799 – $20,160Rebuild above roofline
Entry DoorSteel swap (basic)$2,311 – $3,815$1,584 – $2,220Storm door only$10,622 – $18,462Custom wood + transom

Interior Finishes

ProjectRepresentative scenarioInstalled rangeLower-cost scenarioHigher-cost scenarioIn category
Drywall16x16 living room$3,201 – $5,171$1,828 – $2,8918x10 bathroom (green-board)$6,382 – $10,451Basement 24x36
Interior Paint8x10 bathroom$1,714 – $2,770$937 – $1,155Accent wall 12x9$7,085 – $11,912Whole floor 1500 sf
Flooring12x12 LVP bedroom$2,319 – $3,851$1,943 – $3,18612x14 laminate budget$27,299 – $47,2701500 sf solid hardwood
Insulation800 sf walls fiberglass batt$2,856 – $4,820$2,322 – $3,8641500 sf attic radiant barrier$5,488 – $9,5691000 sf crawl closed-cell
StaircaseRefinish 13-step run$1,516 – $2,420$1,501 – $2,425Attic pull-down$8,690 – $15,090New oak run (13 steps)
Carpet InstallationTwo bedrooms$2,470 – $4,315$1,176 – $1,965Stairs only$7,020 – $12,431Whole house
Hardwood Floor RefinishingFloor + stairs$3,994 – $6,668$1,572 – $2,559Small room$10,663 – $17,864Whole house

Mechanical & Energy

ProjectRepresentative scenarioInstalled rangeLower-cost scenarioHigher-cost scenarioIn category
HVAC ReplacementCombo 3-ton mid SEER (typical)$9,345 – $16,638$5,677 – $9,837Furnace replace 80k BTU$13,591 – $23,932Heat pump 4-ton high-efficiency
Water HeaterGas tank swap (50 gal)$3,430 – $5,946$2,689 – $4,646Electric tank swap (50 gal)$7,098 – $12,419Switch to gas tankless (new vent + gas line)
Solar Panels6 kW off-grid (cabin)$29,322 – $51,373$10,885 – $19,0765 kW (small home)$37,954 – $66,97115 kW (EV + electric heat)
Electrical Panel Upgrade100A to 200A upgrade$7,268 – $12,804$2,848 – $5,050Sub-panel for garage$9,445 – $17,010Old home rewire
Septic System4 BR chamber field$16,335 – $28,353$13,191 – $22,8583 BR conventional (typical)$21,713 – $38,3374 BR ATU (failed perc)
Sump PumpTypical project$2,763 – $4,776$2,318 – $3,996Like-for-like swap$5,363 – $9,337New install (cut concrete)
FireplaceGas insert (existing masonry)$8,086 – $14,141$7,859 – $13,781Electric (no vent)$16,624 – $28,910Gas zero-clearance (new)
EV ChargerSmart 48A hardwired$4,245 – $7,315$2,697 – $4,657Basic L2 (existing panel)$5,987 – $10,323Detached garage (long run)
Standby Generator14kW standby NG (typical)$12,327 – $21,404$3,980 – $7,024Portable + manual transfer$22,384 – $39,061Liquid-cooled 35kW (large home)
Sewer Line ReplacementTypical open-trench$8,858 – $16,327$5,074 – $9,216Short open-trench$18,707 – $35,105Long deep run
Mini-Split / Ductless HVACTwo zones$8,330 – $13,670$5,290 – $8,834Single room$11,227 – $18,158Three zones
Tankless Water HeaterGas tankless swap (like-for-like)$4,495 – $7,488$3,866 – $6,645Electric whole-house$5,397 – $8,898Condensing premium
Mold RemediationFlooded room$4,556 – $8,045$1,975 – $3,355Small bathroom$98,319 – $180,221Whole house
Crawl Space EncapsulationStandard encapsulation$12,011 – $20,014$9,081 – $15,090Small house$26,991 – $45,678Problem crawlspace
Radon MitigationSlab-on-grade$2,584 – $4,359$2,253 – $3,950Basement basic$3,211 – $5,588Mixed / complex

Kitchen & Bath

ProjectRepresentative scenarioInstalled rangeLower-cost scenarioHigher-cost scenarioIn category
CountertopsTypical project$5,809 – $10,007$1,553 – $2,438Butcher block island (15 sf)$9,596 – $16,821Kitchen marble (50 sf)
Tile (Bath / Backsplash / Shower)Kitchen floor$2,929 – $5,202$1,672 – $2,999Kitchen backsplash$7,155 – $12,850Large bathroom remodel

Whole-Room Remodels

ProjectRepresentative scenarioInstalled rangeLower-cost scenarioHigher-cost scenarioIn category
Bathroom Remodel3-piece full bath (50 sf)$14,866 – $25,710$4,820 – $8,360Powder room refresh$28,116 – $48,725Master spa bath (110 sf)
Kitchen RemodelMid-range L+island (150 sf)$41,199 – $71,779$19,087 – $33,345Small galley (90 sf)$83,627 – $146,660Custom premium (250 sf)

Structural & Water

ProjectRepresentative scenarioInstalled rangeLower-cost scenarioHigher-cost scenarioIn category
Foundation RepairBowed walls - 4 anchors$15,022 – $26,801$4,231 – $7,388Minor cracks (2-3)$22,084 – $39,203Settling - 6 piers
Basement WaterproofingExterior excavation + membrane (40 LF)$12,465 – $21,300$9,099 – $15,585Interior sealer + paint$15,418 – $26,688Crawl-space encapsulation (1000 SF)
Pole Barn / Post-FrameWorkshop$63,024 – $102,033$36,201 – $58,764Shell / kit only$272,179 – $435,093Commercial shop

Price a specific project

These are typical-scope snapshots. For your own number, run the matching calculator — each returns a line-item breakdown, ZIP-zone pricing, a probabilistic cost simulation, and a bid-check tool — or bundle several projects in the Project Simulator.

Browse all 52 calculators →

Estimates are planning ranges, not contractor quotes. We don't replace your contractor, permit, or inspector.