HOMEQUOTEAUDIT RESEARCH · 2026 EDITION
U.S. Home Improvement Cost Index 2026
A transparent homeowner research hub for tracking the forces behind contractor quotes: materials, labor, regional price levels and verified local pricing.
20 project categories
Official-source framework
Updated as data changes
Latest national signal:
BLS reported that the Producer Price Index for final demand was unchanged in July 2026,
while final-demand construction prices rose 2.2% for the month. This is a broad producer-price
signal—not a homeowner quote average—and should be interpreted alongside project, labor and location data.
LIVE DATA COVERAGE
What is powering the index today
We show coverage honestly. Missing datasets are not replaced with invented national or local averages.
JULY 2026 SIGNAL
Construction prices moved differently from goods overall
These BLS PPI figures measure producer selling-price changes across the economy. They are context for pricing pressure, not a prediction of what a specific contractor should charge.
PROJECT COST MAP
20 homeowner projects we monitor
Open any project to estimate a planning range by ZIP code and compare it with a contractor quote.
Exterior
Roof Replacement
Roof size, pitch, tear-off, material, access and local labor
Open cost calculator → MechanicalHVAC Replacement
System size, efficiency, ductwork, equipment tier and labor
Open cost calculator → MechanicalAC Installation
Tonnage, SEER rating, duct condition, electrical work and location
Open cost calculator → ExteriorWindow Replacement
Window count, frame material, glazing, openings and labor
Open cost calculator → RemodelingBathroom Remodel
Room size, fixtures, tile, plumbing moves and finish level
Open cost calculator → RemodelingKitchen Remodel
Cabinetry, counters, appliances, layout changes and finish level
Open cost calculator → ElectricalElectrical Panel Upgrade
Amperage, service condition, permits, utility coordination and labor
Open cost calculator → PlumbingWater Heater Replacement
Tank type, capacity, fuel source, venting and installation complexity
Open cost calculator → PlumbingPlumbing Repair
Failure type, access, pipe material, emergency timing and labor
Open cost calculator → StructuralFoundation Repair
Damage type, stabilization method, access, engineering and soil conditions
Open cost calculator → EnergySolar Panel Installation
System size, panel/inverter choice, roof layout and electrical work
Open cost calculator → EnergyHome Insulation
Area, insulation type, existing conditions, access and target R-value
Open cost calculator → ExteriorSiding Replacement
Wall area, siding material, removal, trim details and labor
Open cost calculator → InteriorFlooring Installation
Square footage, material, subfloor prep, removal and room complexity
Open cost calculator → ExteriorFence Installation
Linear feet, material, terrain, gates, post work and local labor
Open cost calculator → ExteriorGarage Door Replacement
Door size, material, insulation, opener, tracks and installation
Open cost calculator → OutdoorTree Removal
Height, diameter, location, equipment access, hazards and debris handling
Open cost calculator → RestorationMold Remediation
Affected area, containment, demolition, testing and moisture correction
Open cost calculator → RestorationWater Damage Restoration
Water category, affected area, drying time, demolition and reconstruction
Open cost calculator → MovingMoving Cost
Distance, home size, packing, stairs/access, timing and service level
Open cost calculator →WHY LOCAL COSTS DIFFER
A national average is rarely enough
The same project can price differently across U.S. markets because labor rates, regional price levels, permit requirements, logistics, housing stock and contractor availability vary.
HomeQuoteAudit therefore treats national material trends as one layer—not the final answer. The long-term model combines official material, labor and regional datasets with verified local observations.
QUOTE AUDIT PRINCIPLE
Price is only one part of a fair quote
A low quote can omit scope. A high quote may reflect premium materials, difficult access, permits, warranties or unusually complex work. The goal is to compare like with like.
Explore all calculatorsMETHODOLOGY
How HomeQuoteAudit builds cost intelligence
- Project scope. The calculator starts with homeowner inputs such as size, material and complexity.
- Material pressure. Relevant BLS Producer Price Index series provide directional material-price context.
- Labor layer. BLS occupational wage data is used when the applicable market and occupation coverage is available.
- Regional layer. BEA Regional Price Parities provide context for differences in overall price levels between places.
- Local evidence. Verified local pricing snapshots can override broader assumptions when sufficient evidence exists.
- Transparent fallback. Where official/local coverage is incomplete, HomeQuoteAudit labels estimates as planning ranges rather than presenting invented precision.
PRIMARY SOURCES
Built around public U.S. data
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Producer Price Index (PPI)
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis
Regional Price Parities
HomeQuoteAudit is an independent consumer information service and is not affiliated with BLS or BEA. Source datasets are used as analytical inputs; official agencies do not endorse HomeQuoteAudit estimates.
KNOW BEFORE YOU HIRE
Choose a calculator →
Start with the project you are pricing.
Build a planning range, then compare the contractor quote against the scope and local cost drivers.