Key takeaways

• Some U.S. regions could see a colder and wetter winter, which could affect home maintenance

• Replacing a garage door can cost upwards of $4,600

• Tax credits expiring December 31 could prompt timely replacements

Lumber and steel tariffs could affect supply chains for repair materials. Combined with an aging home pro workforce, there could be room for homeowners to step in and DIY.

Homes across America are getting older — with the average home built 40 years ago — and people in 2025 are trying to figure out how to juggle ongoing maintenance with everyday expenses. According to an Ipsos survey from early October, nearly two in five Americans (39%) have postponed or skipped necessary car or home repairs in order to save money. That’s up from just 27% delaying the work in October 2023.¹

Winter weather could hamper people’s plans to defer costs. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration expects this winter to be colder than average across the Upper Midwest and Pacific Northwest, while higher precipitation could come for the northern Rockies, Great Plains, and Great Lakes regions.²

With the prospect of rain, snow, and cold on the horizon, repairs could be needed either as a result of damage or as a way to batten down the hatches in advance.

How much do typical home repairs cost?

Having a solid roof could be the first thing that pops into homeowners’ heads when considering winterizing, and it’s a big-ticket item: Replacing a roof can cost upwards of $30,000 to $50,000 on average depending on the material. However, it’s far from the only thing keeping a home ready for winter hosting and weather. Some tasks may not cost as much on paper, though rush charges for labor (such as to make the fix before a holiday dinner) could bump up the price:

Source: Realtor.com, U.S. News & World Report, Journal of Light Construction, Forbes.^{3, 4, 5, 6, 7}

Taking action on smaller repairs can help keep them from growing into bigger expenses. In 2023, homeowners insurance claims were most commonly the result of wind and hail (42.5%) and water damage and freezing (22.6%) — conditions ubiquitous with wintertime.⁸

People can also see paying repair bills as long-term investments, such as being able to deem the home in better condition when selling. Replacing a garage door can be worth a 268% bump in value beyond the initial investment.⁹

How has inflation hit home?

Individual pricing for repairs doesn’t account for each person’s financial situation -- where a few hundred dollars could mean a smaller dip into savings or a more stressful emergency expense. As Americans have seen inflation fluctuate across categories like groceries and healthcare, home-related items are still taking their toll, based on Consumer Price Index data from September compared to the year prior:¹⁰

• Rent of primary residence: +3.4%

• Owners’ equivalent rent: +3.8%

• Tenants’ and household insurance: +7.5%

• Tools, hardware, and supplies: +6.2%

Empower research found that nearly three out of five people (57%) are frequently thinking about their bills, and utility costs have seen spikes. Utility gas service has risen 11.7% since September 2024, with electricity service up 5.1%. Last year, the average monthly electricity bill in America came in at $142.26, with only two states dipping below triple digits: Utah ($94.57) and New Mexico ($92.88).¹¹

With U.S. tariffs entering the macroeconomic scene more prominently in 2025, paying for home repairs and remodeling has increased in the short term as well, even outpacing overall inflation in the second quarter.¹² Tariffs of 25% launched in the spring hit steel and aluminum imports.

Even more recent has been the addition of new tariffs on imported wood and related home goods, including furniture and kitchen cabinets; the duties of 10-25% went into effect on October 14. Prior to the new tariffs, the Home Depot chain reported in its second-quarter earnings in August that 12 of its 16 product categories had seen sales growth, calling out lumber as an especially strong seller.¹³

Read more: Tariffs on wood and furniture imports could hit home

Time will tell if higher prices for consumers could bring cooling demand: As of now, projections for U.S. home improvement expenses in 2026 expect spending to slow, though interest rate cuts from the Federal Reserve could prompt more borrowing for bigger projects.^14,15

How can people save on home repairs?

Leverage U.S. tax credits expiring in 2025

Time could be on consumers’ side if repairs or replacements happen soon. With the enactment of major U.S. tax reform in July, some existing tax credits related to home equipment and renovations are set to expire at the end of the year. People looking to replace their HVAC setup could offset the cost if they consider a heat pump: Eligible heat pumps purchased and installed before December 31, 2025, qualify for a tax credit — 30% of the project cost up to a $2,000 credit.¹⁶

The Residential Clean Energy Credit also applies to specific energy-efficient improvements —  including windows, doors, electric vehicle chargers, and water heaters — for 30% of the project cost up to $1,200.¹⁷

Consider the tradeoff of do-it-yourself vs. pro

Mileage may vary when it comes to taking on home projects as a homeowner. Handy people with tools and knowledge could save overall, while paying a pro could be helpful for those short on time or expertise. More than a third of Americans (37%) believe that saving time is more important than saving money, according to Empower research.

Being able to find a professional who’s available in the winter months could sway the decision. The job landscape for workers in home-related industries is undergoing a huge shift, as all Baby Boomers will be 65 or older by 2030.¹⁸ With existing workers retiring, those roles will need to be replaced to keep up with demand: One industry group estimates the need for 499,000 new workers in 2026.¹⁹ Construction workers and electricians rank among the top 20 occupations with the highest number of new jobs projected between 2024 and 2034.²⁰

Read more: Growth in America’s home building expands career options

Invest in prevention to avoid bigger projects

Technology has grown its footprint in U.S. households, with close to half of Americans (48%) owning one or more smart home devices.²¹ The smart home industry is estimated to top $537 billion by 2030, at a compound annual growth rate of 27% from 2025 to 2030.²²

Electronic sensors positioned around and underneath water fixtures can detect leaks and quickly alert owners, while smart thermostats can strategically control HVAC systems in the home to avoid overuse (and the resulting wear and tear).²³

Preparing for fixes

Winter weather in America doesn’t leave much cushion to avoid repairing a broken heat system or leaky roof, though consumers can take small steps to prevent larger charges from hitting their home — or wallet.