Cost guides
What home repairs cost, and whether you need a pro
The two questions people ask first: what will this cost, and who do I call. Each guide gives a national range from the repair cost database behind Viorly, a plain verdict on doing it yourself, and the signs that mean stop and call someone.
Ranges are national and before local labor differences. For a number for your own house, ask the advisor, free.
Plumbing
What does drain cleaning cost, and when can I do it myself?
A slow sink is a ten-minute job; a clog past the trap or a backed-up main line is a plumber with a machine. Here is the line between them.
$150 to $500Sometimes yourself, sometimes a pro
What does a water heater replacement cost?
A tank water heater lasts 8 to 12 years and fails without much warning. Here is the range for a like-for-like swap and what changes the number.
$1,667 to $4,167Call a pro
Appliances
Electrical
What does an electrical panel upgrade cost?
Replacing an old or unsafe panel is licensed electrician work with a permit. Here is the range and why the number moves so much.
$1,500 to $4,000Call a pro
What does it cost to install a GFCI outlet, and can I do it myself?
GFCI outlets protect you near water. A single swap is a careful DIY job for some; an electrician is a small, fast bill for everyone else.
$167 to $333Sometimes yourself, sometimes a pro
What does it cost to fix or replace an electrical outlet?
A dead or loose outlet is one of the cheapest electrician visits there is. Here is what it costs and the few cases where the small job is hiding a bigger one.
$167 to $417Call a pro
Heating and cooling
What does it cost to replace an HVAC system?
The biggest single bill most homeowners face. Here is the range, what moves it, and the questions that keep a quote honest.
$8,333 to $16,667Call a pro
What does an HVAC service visit cost?
A furnace or air conditioner tune-up is a small, routine bill. Here is the range, what the tech should actually do, and when a tune-up is not enough.
$125 to $417Call a pro