How We Estimate Home Repair Costs
Each estimate adds an assumed parts range to assumed labor hours times a billed rate. The billed rate is the BLS median wage for that trade and place times 2.5 to 4.5.
What to know
- Wages are real government data. Parts ranges, labor hours and the billing multiplier are our own assumptions, and they are not quotes.
- Parts prices are not adjusted by state. Only labor changes from place to place.
- Estimates leave out permits, utility fees, wall or finish repair, and unusual site conditions, unless the job says otherwise.
- Get at least three written quotes before you decide. We compared our assumptions with published cost ranges and adjusted them where they clearly disagreed; each cost page shows those ranges where we have them.
Every assumption we use
| Job | Trade wage used | Parts | Hours | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Toilet Replacement | Plumber | $150 – $500 | 1 – 3 | a standard floor-mounted toilet, with removal of the old one |
| Faucet Replacement | Plumber | $80 – $300 | 1 – 2 | one kitchen or bathroom faucet |
| Drain Cleaning | Plumber | $20 – $50 | 1 – 2.5 | one clogged sink, tub or shower drain cleared with a snake |
| Garbage Disposal Replacement | Plumber | $100 – $350 | 1 – 2 | a replacement disposal on existing plumbing and wiring |
| Water Heater Replacement | Plumber | $600 – $1,500 | 2 – 4 | a 40 to 50 gallon gas or electric tank in the same location |
| Tankless Water Heater Installation | Plumber | $1,000 – $3,000 | 5 – 10 | a whole-house tankless unit replacing a tank |
| Pipe Repair | Plumber | $50 – $250 | 1 – 4 | one accessible leak or burst section, without wall repair |
| Whole-House Repipe | Plumber | $1,500 – $5,000 | 20 – 60 | supply lines in a typical two-bathroom home, without wall repair |
| Sewer Line Repair | Plumber | $500 – $2,500 | 8 – 24 | repair of a damaged section between the house and the street |
| Sump Pump Installation | Plumber | $300 – $1,000 | 2 – 6 | a new pump in a basement or crawlspace pit |
| AC Replacement | HVAC Technician | $3,500 – $8,000 | 4 – 8 | a central AC outdoor unit and matching coil on existing ductwork |
| Furnace Replacement | HVAC Technician | $2,500 – $6,500 | 6 – 14 | a gas furnace on existing ductwork and gas line |
| Heat Pump Installation | HVAC Technician | $4,000 – $10,000 | 6 – 12 | a central heat pump on existing ductwork |
| Thermostat Replacement | HVAC Technician | $30 – $250 | 1 – 2 | one standard or smart thermostat on existing wiring |
| Electrical Panel Upgrade | Electrician | $400 – $1,500 | 8 – 12 | a replacement main panel, up to 200 amps, without utility fees |
| Outlet Replacement | Electrician | $20 – $60 | 1 – 2 | one standard or GFCI outlet on an existing circuit |
| Electrician Service Call | Electrician | $20 – $50 | 1.5 – 3 | diagnosing and fixing one small problem |
| Ceiling Fan Installation | Electrician | $60 – $250 | 1.5 – 3 | one fan at an existing, fan-rated ceiling box |
| Whole-House Rewiring | Electrician | $2,000 – $7,000 | 50 – 100 | a typical 1,500 to 2,000 square foot home, without wall repair |
| Appliance Repair | Handyman | $30 – $250 | 1 – 2 | one service call on a washer, dryer, dishwasher or refrigerator |
| Drywall Repair | Handyman | $10 – $60 | 1 – 4 | one patch up to about 2 feet wide, ready to paint |
| Roof Repair | Roofer | $50 – $600 | 2 – 8 | a localized leak or damaged shingle area |
| Roof Replacement | Roofer | $4,000 – $10,000 | 40 – 90 | asphalt shingles on a 2,000 square foot roof, with tear-off |
| Foundation Repair | Carpenter | $300 – $3,500 | 10 – 35 | minor crack repair up to several piers, after an engineer's review if needed |
| Basement Waterproofing | Carpenter | $1,000 – $5,000 | 20 – 80 | interior drainage along part or all of a basement |
| Mold Removal | Handyman | $100 – $600 | 6 – 30 | one contained area, after the moisture source is fixed |
| Gutter Replacement | Roofer | $300 – $1,500 | 6 – 12 | aluminum gutters and downspouts on a typical home |
| Garage Door Repair | Handyman | $20 – $300 | 1 – 3 | one repair such as a spring, cable, roller or opener part |
| Garage Door Replacement | Carpenter | $600 – $2,500 | 2 – 6 | one standard door with new track and springs |
| Door Repair | Carpenter | $10 – $100 | 1 – 3 | fixing one sticking, sagging or misaligned interior or exterior door |
| Window Repair | Carpenter | $20 – $200 | 1 – 3 | one balance, latch, crank or sash repair |
| Window Replacement (per window) | Carpenter | $300 – $900 | 1 – 3 | one standard replacement window in an existing frame |
Appliance, drywall, garage door repair and mold jobs use the BLS general maintenance and repair wage as the closest available match.
General information, not professional advice. Conditions, codes and prices vary. Turn off power, gas or water before any work, and hire a licensed professional when in doubt. Cost figures are our estimates, not quotes.