The Real Cost of Every Major Home Project in 2026
The Real Cost of Every Major Home Project in 2026
You're thinking about a home project. Maybe it's a kitchen gut-job, maybe it's finally replacing that 25-year-old HVAC system, maybe you just want a fence so your dog stops visiting the neighbors. Whatever it is, you need a number — not "call for a free estimate," not "prices vary," an actual range you can plan around.
We built Electrum Home to give homeowners real pricing data. We've processed thousands of project estimates across 38 service categories, and what follows is the most honest cost reference you'll find for major home projects in 2026.
Every range shown is the full installed cost including labor, materials, permits, and standard prep work. Disposal fees, structural surprises, and premium finishes can push you above the high end.
HVAC and Climate Control
Central AC Replacement
$4,500–$12,500
A straight swap on existing ductwork. The biggest price drivers are unit size (tonnage), brand tier, and SEER2 efficiency rating. A 3-ton mid-tier system averages around $7,200 nationally. Go premium (Carrier Infinity, Lennox XC25) and you're north of $10,000.
Full HVAC System (Heating + Cooling)
$5,800–$14,500
Furnace plus AC or a heat pump system. Ductwork modifications add $2,000–$5,000. Heat pumps are gaining market share fast — a dual-fuel system (heat pump + gas furnace backup) runs $8,500–$14,500. (The federal 25C tax credit that used to offer up to $2,000 back on qualifying heat pumps expired at the end of 2025; state and utility rebates still apply in many markets.)
Ductless Mini-Split
$3,000–$8,000
Single-zone systems start around $3,000 installed. Multi-zone (3–4 heads) runs $8,000–$15,000. Great for additions, garages, or homes without ductwork.
Water Heater Replacement
$1,800–$5,500
Tank-style (50 gal) runs $1,800–$2,800. Tankless goes $3,500–$5,500 installed. Heat pump water heaters land at $3,800–$5,200 and cut water heating costs by roughly 60% — the federal 25C credit that helped offset their higher upfront cost expired in 2025, so factor the full sticker price into payback.
Roofing
Asphalt Shingle Roof (Full Replacement)
$11,000–$22,000
For a typical 1,500–2,500 sq ft roof. Architectural shingles (the standard now) run $4.50–$7.00 per sq ft installed. Three-tab is cheaper but rarely recommended anymore. Tear-off and disposal adds $1,000–$3,000.
Metal Roof
$18,000–$35,000
Standing seam metal runs $9–$14 per sq ft installed. Lasts 50+ years vs 20–30 for asphalt. The upfront premium is steep, but if you're staying in the home long-term, the lifetime cost per year is actually lower.
Flat/Low-Slope Roof
$8,000–$18,000
TPO and EPDM are the go-to materials. Common on additions, row homes, and commercial-style construction. Expect $5–$9 per sq ft installed.
Kitchen and Bath
Kitchen Remodel
$22,000–$120,000
Yes, that range is enormous — because a kitchen can be a cosmetic refresh or a full gut-to-studs rebuild. Here's how it breaks down:
- Cosmetic refresh (paint, hardware, countertops): $8,000–$22,000
- Mid-range remodel (new cabinets, countertops, appliances, flooring): $35,000–$65,000
- High-end gut renovation (layout changes, custom cabinets, premium everything): $75,000–$120,000+
Cabinets are the single biggest line item, typically 30–40% of the total budget. Stock cabinets ($100–$300/linear ft) vs. custom ($500–$1,200/linear ft) is where the biggest price swing happens.
Bathroom Remodel
$8,000–$53,000
- Half bath refresh: $5,000–$12,000
- Full bath remodel: $15,000–$35,000
- Primary suite overhaul: $30,000–$53,000+
Tile work drives bathroom costs more than anything else. A walk-in shower with floor-to-ceiling tile can be $5,000–$12,000 in tile and labor alone. The vanity, toilet, and fixtures are relatively minor by comparison.
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Windows and Doors
Window Replacement (6 Windows)
$4,500–$14,000
Standard vinyl double-hung windows run $450–$850 each installed. Fiberglass or wood-clad windows jump to $800–$1,500 each. Full-frame replacement (removing the old frame) costs 30–50% more than insert replacement but is necessary if the frames are rotted or out of square.
Note: the federal 25C credit that used to offer up to $600/year toward qualifying windows expired at the end of 2025. Check for state and utility rebates, which are often tied to ENERGY STAR ratings.
Entry Door Replacement
$1,500–$5,500
Fiberglass doors ($1,500–$3,500) are the sweet spot — they look like wood, insulate better, and don't warp. Solid wood doors run $3,000–$5,500+ installed. Steel is the budget option at $1,200–$2,500.
Sliding/French Patio Doors
$2,500–$8,000
Standard sliding door: $2,500–$4,500. French doors: $3,500–$6,500. Multi-panel folding doors (the Instagram ones): $8,000–$20,000+.
Solar and Electrical
Solar Panel System
$21,000–$55,000
At $2.50–$3.50/watt installed, a typical 8 kW system runs $20,000–$28,000. Add a battery ($10,000–$18,000) and you're in the $30,000–$45,000 range. Note: the federal 25D residential clean energy credit expired December 31, 2025, but state incentives and net metering still drive the math in many markets.
Electrical Panel Upgrade
$1,800–$4,500
Going from 100A to 200A service runs $2,500–$4,500. If you're adding solar, an EV charger, or a heat pump, this is often a prerequisite. (The 25C credit that previously covered up to $600 of a panel upgrade expired at the end of 2025.)
EV Charger Installation (Level 2)
$500–$2,200
The charger unit itself is $300–$700. Installation is $200–$1,500 depending on panel proximity and whether you need a new circuit. (The federal 30C tax credit that used to offer up to $1,000 toward home EV charger installs expired in 2025 — look to your utility and automaker for current rebates.)
Outdoor and Exterior
Fence Installation
$3,500–$12,000
For a typical 150–200 linear ft yard. Wood privacy fence: $20–$35/linear ft. Vinyl: $25–$45/linear ft. Aluminum: $30–$55/linear ft. Chain link: $10–$20/linear ft. Gates add $200–$800 each.
Deck Construction
$8,500–$35,000
Pressure-treated wood decks (12x16): $8,500–$14,000. Composite (Trex, TimberTech): $15,000–$28,000. Multi-level or covered decks: $25,000–$45,000+. Composite costs more upfront but needs zero staining or sealing — ever.
Concrete Driveway
$4,500–$12,000
Standard poured concrete for a 2-car driveway (400–600 sq ft): $8–$15 per sq ft. Stamped or stained concrete adds 30–50%. Asphalt is cheaper at $3–$6 per sq ft but requires sealing every 3–5 years.
Pool Installation (Inground)
$42,000–$130,000
Vinyl liner pools start around $42,000–$65,000. Fiberglass (pre-formed shells) run $50,000–$85,000. Gunite/concrete pools are $65,000–$130,000+ depending on size, features, and your backyard's cooperation. Don't forget the ongoing costs: $1,200–$3,600/year for maintenance, chemicals, and electricity.
Interior and Structural
Flooring Replacement
$3,500–$18,000
For 500–1,000 sq ft of main living area. Luxury vinyl plank (LVP): $4–$8/sq ft installed. Engineered hardwood: $8–$14/sq ft. Solid hardwood: $10–$18/sq ft. Tile: $8–$15/sq ft. LVP has taken over as the default for good reason — it's waterproof, durable, and looks great.
Interior Painting (Whole House)
$3,800–$9,500
For a 2,000 sq ft home. Professional painters charge $2–$4 per sq ft of wall space. Prep work (filling holes, sanding, priming) is where quality painters earn their money. Expect 2–4 days for a whole-house job.
Basement Finishing
$25,000–$65,000
For a 600–1,000 sq ft basement. Basic finish (drywall, flooring, lighting, egress): $25,000–$40,000. With a bathroom and kitchenette: $45,000–$65,000+. Moisture mitigation is non-negotiable — skip it and you'll be ripping it all out in 5 years.
Foundation Repair
$5,000–$25,000
Minor crack repair: $500–$2,500. Pier underpinning: $5,000–$15,000. Major structural stabilization: $15,000–$25,000+. This is one category where the cheapest option is almost never the right one.
Plumbing
Whole-House Repipe
$5,500–$15,000
Replacing galvanized or polybutylene pipes with PEX or copper. PEX repipes run $5,500–$9,000. Copper is $8,000–$15,000. If your home was built between 1978 and 1995, check for polybutylene (gray plastic pipes) — they fail without warning and most insurers won't cover them.
Sewer Line Replacement
$3,000–$12,000
Trenchless (pipe lining or bursting): $4,000–$8,000. Traditional dig-and-replace: $5,000–$12,000. Trenchless saves your landscaping but isn't always possible depending on the pipe condition and material.
What Drives the Price Variation
If you're wondering why every range above is so wide, here are the factors that move the needle:
- Geography: Labor rates vary 30–50% between markets. A contractor in San Francisco charges significantly more than one in Louisville — and they're both appropriately priced for their market.
- Material tier: The difference between builder-grade and premium materials is often 2–3x. Both work. One just looks and performs better.
- Scope creep: "While we're at it" is the most expensive phrase in home improvement. Opening a wall to move a sink and finding knob-and-tube wiring adds thousands.
- Permit requirements: Some jurisdictions require permits (and inspections) for work others don't. Permits add $200–$2,000 and 2–6 weeks.
- Access and complexity: A second-floor bathroom remodel costs more than a first-floor one. A steeply pitched roof costs more per square than a gentle slope. Site conditions matter.
- Timing: HVAC in July and roofing in September cost more than the same work in March. Contractors charge a premium during peak season because they can.
How to Use This Guide
These numbers are starting points, not guarantees. Your project will have specifics that push you higher or lower within (or outside) these ranges. But they'll help you:
- Set a realistic budget before talking to contractors
- Spot outlier bids — if someone quotes $45,000 for a basic asphalt roof on a 1,800 sq ft home, that's a red flag
- Prioritize projects when you have a fixed renovation budget
- Plan financing and understand what lenders will want to see
Want a more specific estimate for your project? Pick your project on Electrum Home and we'll walk you through the details that matter for your specific situation — square footage, material preferences, and local market rates. Real numbers in about 5 minutes, no phone calls required.
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