§ 02 What owners paid
What homeowners actually paid
The 2023 American Housing Survey national file records 44,689 home projects and what owners said they cost. These are the answers of owners who hired the work out, in survey dollars and in Aug 2026 dollars. Self-reported, nominal, and scope varies, so a reported cost is never a quote.
| Job | Hired n | 25th | Median | 75th | Spread | Quote position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofing, add or replace | 2,217 | $6,600 | $10,990 | $16,490 | 2.5× | Placed (scope comparable) |
| Flooring, carpet, paneling or ceilings | 2,170 | $2,200 | $4,400 | $7,700 | 3.5× | Context only |
| Central AC, add or replace | 2,011 | $4,400 | $7,590 | $10,660 | 2.4× | Placed (scope comparable) |
| Water heater, replace | 1,786 | $990 | $1,540 | $2,200 | 2.2× | Placed (scope comparable) |
| Doors or windows, add or replace | 1,782 | $1,760 | $4,620 | $10,770 | 6.1× | Context only |
| Plumbing fixtures, add or replace | 1,628 | $540 | $1,090 | $2,640 | 4.9× | Context only |
| Heating equipment, built-in | 1,591 | $3,300 | $5,500 | $8,250 | 2.5× | Placed (scope comparable) |
| Dishwasher or garbage disposal | 1,550 | $440 | $760 | $1,100 | 2.5× | Placed (scope comparable) |
| Bathroom remodel | 1,421 | $4,400 | $8,790 | $16,160 | 3.7× | Context only |
| Electrical wiring, fuse box or breaker panel | 1,419 | $700 | $1,650 | $4,180 | 5.9× | Context only |
| Landscaping or sprinkler system | 1,145 | $1,320 | $3,190 | $5,500 | 4.2× | Context only |
| Fencing or walls | 1,117 | $2,200 | $4,400 | $7,150 | 3.3× | Context only |
| Kitchen remodel | 979 | $5,500 | $13,190 | $27,480 | 5.0× | Context only |
| Driveway or walkway | 978 | $2,090 | $4,290 | $8,140 | 3.9× | Context only |
| Security system, add or replace | 860 | $440 | $790 | $2,200 | 5.0× | Context only |
| Other major interior improvement or repair | 816 | $1,320 | $3,300 | $7,700 | 5.8× | Context only |
| Interior water pipes, add or replace | 743 | $660 | $1,980 | $4,400 | 6.7× | Context only |
| Porch, deck, patio or terrace | 742 | $3,300 | $7,700 | $16,490 | 5.0× | Context only |
| Insulation, add or replace | 528 | $1,430 | $2,750 | $4,400 | 3.1× | Context only |
| Siding, add or replace | 478 | $3,300 | $7,590 | $15,390 | 4.7× | Context only |
| Other major lot or yard improvement | 416 | $1,760 | $3,850 | $8,790 | 5.0× | Context only |
| Shed, detached garage or outbuilding | 412 | $3,300 | $5,500 | $9,890 | 3.0× | Placed (scope comparable) |
| Chimney, stairs or other exterior part | 397 | $1,320 | $3,300 | $7,150 | 5.4× | Context only |
| Pool, court or recreational structure | 247 | $6,600 | $15,060 | $43,970 | 6.7× | Context only |
| Other room added or converted | 170 | $5,500 | $17,150 | $50,020 | 9.1× | Context only |
| Attached garage or carport | 162 | $3,300 | $6,270 | $21,990 | 6.7× | Context only |
| Septic tank, add or replace | 111 | $3,190 | $5,720 | $10,990 | 3.4× | Context only |
| Bedroom added or converted | 81 | $8,470 | $17,920 | $43,970 | 5.2× | Context only |
| Bathroom added or converted | 73 | $14,290 | $21,000 | $36,280 | 2.5× | Placed (scope comparable) |
| Recreation room added or converted | 32 | $17,590 | $25,620 | $39,360 | 2.2× | Placed (scope comparable) |
| Kitchen added or converted | 31 | $24,740 | $45,840 | $122,030 | 4.9× | Context only |
AHS 2023 National PUF v1.1 · hired · today’s $ (CPI-U Aug 2026)Spread = 75th ÷ 25th percentile. Above 3×, Quote Check shows the distribution without placing a quote.
Method: weighted percentiles of JOBCOST using the household weight, unweighted record counts, jobs with a cost above $0, cells with at least 30 records. Division pages use the National PUF; metro pages use whichever 2023 PUF sampled that metro (20 metros). Methodology