The 2026 Home Improvement Cost Index
Real, cited 2026 price ranges for 19 common home projects — in one place. Every number is the typical installed cost most homeowners pay, compiled from published cost guides and contractor databases.
By Dan Whitlock, Home Projects Editor · Updated July 2026
Projects tracked
19
Cost range
$250–$20,000
Priciest
Vinyl Siding
Smallest job
Garage Door Spring Replacement
Use this index to sanity-check any home-project quote fast, then open the matching calculator to price your exact job. Ranges are the middle of the market — real quotes vary with your home, region, and materials.
Concrete
| Project | Typical 2026 range | Calculator |
|---|---|---|
| Concrete Slab about 400 sq ft, 4 in slab, installed | $2,400 – $6,000 | Calculate → |
Drainage
| Project | Typical 2026 range | Calculator |
|---|---|---|
| French Drain about 100 linear ft, exterior yard drain, installed | $2,500 – $6,500 | Calculate → |
Exterior
| Project | Typical 2026 range | Calculator |
|---|---|---|
| Window Replacement 8 standard vinyl windows, installed | $3,000 – $7,500 | Calculate → |
| Roof Replacement ~1,700 sq ft architectural asphalt roof | $5,700 – $14,000 | Calculate → |
| Asphalt Driveway about 600 sq ft, new install, paved | $3,000 – $8,500 | Calculate → |
| Vinyl Siding about 1,500 sq ft of exterior wall, standard grade, installed | $6,000 – $20,000 | Calculate → |
| Gutter Installation about 180 linear ft, seamless aluminum, installed | $1,400 – $3,600 | Calculate → |
Fencing
| Project | Typical 2026 range | Calculator |
|---|---|---|
| Chain Link Fence about 100 linear ft, 4 ft galvanized, installed | $1,200 – $3,800 | Calculate → |
Flooring
| Project | Typical 2026 range | Calculator |
|---|---|---|
| Carpet Installation about 330 sq ft, mid-grade carpet, installed | $1,200 – $3,800 | Calculate → |
| Laminate Flooring about 250 sq ft, mid-grade planks, installed | $900 – $2,200 | Calculate → |
Garage
| Project | Typical 2026 range | Calculator |
|---|---|---|
| Garage Door Spring Replacement torsion pair, professionally installed | $250 – $600 | Calculate → |
| Epoxy Garage Floor about 400 sq ft 2-car garage, flake system, installed | $1,400 – $4,300 | Calculate → |
HVAC
| Project | Typical 2026 range | Calculator |
|---|---|---|
| Mini-Split Installation single-zone ductless system, installed | $3,000 – $7,500 | Calculate → |
| Heat Pump Installation 3-ton ducted air-source system, installed | $4,500 – $18,000 | Calculate → |
| Furnace Replacement standard gas furnace, average home, installed | $2,800 – $7,500 | Calculate → |
Home Safety
| Project | Typical 2026 range | Calculator |
|---|---|---|
| Radon Mitigation sub-slab depressurization system, installed | $800 – $2,500 | Calculate → |
Plumbing
| Project | Typical 2026 range | Calculator |
|---|---|---|
| Water Heater Replacement standard 40–50 gallon tank, installed | $1,200 – $2,500 | Calculate → |
| Tankless Water Heater whole-home unit, installed | $1,800 – $5,500 | Calculate → |
| Water Softener whole-house salt-based softener, installed | $1,000 – $3,000 | Calculate → |
How these numbers are compiled
Each range is cross-referenced against multiple published 2026 cost guides and contractor cost databases — including HomeGuide, Fixr, and This Old House — then pressure-tested against our own calculators. They are planning figures — not bids. Every project page lists its specific sources and a full cost breakdown. Read our full methodology →
Want your exact number?
Browse all 19 calculators →