6 guides

Home services data & trends

The numbers behind the category, sourced and current.

General Contractor Cost by State (2026) GC fees run 10-20% of project cost. See real BLS OEWS state median wages for SOC 11-9021 via O*NET and what they mean for your 2026 project budget.
Plumber Cost by State (2026): Rates in Every Region Plumber rates range from $45 to $200 per hour depending on your state. BLS wage data plus what homeowners actually pay - all 50 states covered.
Electrician Cost by State (2026) Electrician billed rates range from $55 to $140 per hour depending on your state. See BLS OEWS May 2024 wage data, billed rate ranges, and what drives the gap.
Home Improvement ROI by Project: What Actually Adds Value Garage door replacement and minor kitchen remodels deliver the best ROI, per Remodeling Magazine's Cost vs Value report. See which projects recoup cost at resale.
Home Improvement Costs 2026: Every Project in One Table 2026 home improvement costs compiled from named sources: roof $8k-$25k, kitchen $14k-$41k, bathroom $6k-$15k. Every major project in one reference table.
Average Contractor Markup: What You Are Actually Paying For Contractors mark up materials 10 to 20 percent and charge 10 to 20 percent overhead on subcontractor costs. This guide explains what each line on your quote covers.