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What home repairs actually cost in 2026
Most “cost guides” on the internet are thin: a range that's so wide (“$500 to $5,000”) it tells you nothing, no source, no permit breakdown, no regional variation, no update date. We're doing this differently.
Every cost page here shows the math: what the materials run, what the labor runs, whether a permit is required in your state, and how the price shifts region-to-region. We cite our sources. We date our numbers. We update them quarterly. And we flag the “don't pay more than” threshold so you can recognize a bad quote when you see one.
Our methodology is public — see the methodology page for where our numbers come from.
All cost guides
Cost guide
Electrician hourly cost in 2026
Licensed electricians charge $90–$150/hr in most US metros, with service call fees of $75–$150 and a two-hour minimum. What a typical visit costs.
Cost guide
Garbage disposal replacement cost in 2026
A garbage disposal replacement runs $85 DIY and $230–$500 hired. Here's the unit-by-unit breakdown and what counts as a fair plumber price.
Cost guide
Plumber hourly cost in 2026
What plumbers actually charge per hour in 2026, plus the trip fees and minimum charges that push a typical visit to $200–$400 all-in.
Cost guide
Toilet replacement cost in 2026
A toilet replacement runs $140 DIY and $340–$600 hired. Here's what you're paying for, where the money goes, and when the quote is too high.
Cost guide
Water heater replacement cost in 2026
A 50-gallon water heater replacement runs $1,350–$2,400 installed. The breakdown: tank, labor, permit, code items, and what you shouldn't pay more than.
The Home Repair Cost Calendar
One task list for every month of the year — with real 2026 cost ranges for each. Free PDF, no email required. Or subscribe for seasonal reminders when the next month's tasks come due.
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