ZeroFiZeroFi
← Latest Market Pulse
Market Pulse · July 2026

What home projects cost right now — and when to hire vs. DIY

Summer: AC and roofing demand peaks — expect longer lead times and firmer pricing.

Roof replacement

Storm season drives urgent demand and quote spikes.

$6,000$18,000
per job
Hire a pro

Plumbing repair

The #1 DIY-attempted trade — but burst pipes and water heaters usually need a pro.

$150$1,500
per job
DIY-friendly

HVAC replacement

Demand and pricing peak with the first heat wave and first freeze.

$5,000$12,000
per system
Hire a pro

Kitchen remodel

Big-ticket — homeowners plan these months ahead.

$15,000$50,000
per project
Hire a pro

Interior painting

A common DIY win — but trim, ceilings and prep are where pros earn their fee.

$2,000$6,000
per job
DIY-friendly

Window replacement

Efficiency rebates can shift the DIY-vs-hire math.

$400$1,200
per window
Hire a pro

Electrical work

Permits and safety make this a hire-a-pro category.

$150$2,500
per job
Usually hire

Planning estimates for a typical US job — not quotes. Actual pricing varies by scope and location. Source: national estimate.

Stay ahead of the market

Get the ZeroFi Market Pulse — what home projects cost, where prices are moving, and when to hire vs. DIY. Free, every week. No spam.

Planning one of these?

Describe your job in plain words — free AI estimate, then matched to vetted local pros. No referral fees, ever.

Get a free estimate →