Fall Reset: Thumbtack’s Top Trending Home Projects Ahead of Winter

Homeowners are Prioritizing Renovations Instead of Relocation

It’s a tough housing market out there, with mortgage rates reaching their highest level in two decades. Instead of navigating a choppy and expensive climate, homeowners are staying put and investing in their current home instead. This means renovations and remodels are on the rise. According to our data, construction services are +114% YoY and room remodels are up +38.9% YoY, with people prioritizing upgrading kitchens, living rooms and bathrooms. 3D modeling requests, which give homeowners a clear vision of how renovations will look, are up +188.3% YoY, showing that homeowners are committed to turning their current home into their dream home.

When it comes to remodels, the first room homeowners are prioritizing is the kitchen. Homeowners are focused on storage — with new cabinet installations up +35.9% YoY. When it comes to design, we’re seeing a desire to pair wood cabinetry with natural stone countertops to create a clean, minimalist look. 

People are also focused on sprucing up their bathrooms, with bathroom remodels up +21.7% YoY (avg. cost per sq. ft. for a full bath is $245-$466). Why are homeowners looking to upgrade? A majority (54.7%) want to update the style of their bathroom, while 27.1% are hoping to make an impact by simply replacing bathroom fixtures.

Homeowners want their bathrooms to be a retreat, and we’ve seen an increase in spa luxuries being brought into the home — think soaking tubs, steam showers, heated floors and bidets. When it comes to bathroom design, adding detailed woodwork to the vanity such as fluting or scallops is a popular option, as are zellige tile backsplashes. For color, bold wallpapers and dark, moody paint colors are trending. 

And homeowners don’t want to wait, with 68.4% wanting to start the remodel as soon as possible and 18.2% wanting to get the project rolling within the next month. 

Homeowners are Focused on Storage Solutions

What else are folks looking for in remodels? Storage. 

• Closet remodels are up +53% YoY, (avg. cost $125 per linear foot) with a majority of homeowners remodeling because they want to add storage and built-in shelving. 
• Garage additions or remodels are up +41% YoY (avg. cost $1,000-$2,469) with almost a third (32%) of the remodels being driven by a desire to add storage space.

Beth Blacker, Thumbtack Pro Advisor and owner of It’s Just Stuff, a home organization and move management business, has seen the amount of stuff exponentially increase beyond the capacity of the home as young adults move back in with their parents and seniors move in with their adult children. All this stuff often ends up in the garage, which requires some very creative storage options. 

Don’t Sleep on Seasonal Maintenance — Ahead of Cozy Season, Repairs are Top of Mind

While it might not be as fun as a remodel, your wallet will thank you for completing those seasonal maintenance to dos like prepping your outdoor space and getting your appliances serviced ahead of winter. For outdoor projects, be sure to clean out your gutters, aerate and overseed your lawn, and winterize your sprinkler system so your yard will be primed for spring once the snow thaws. 

Luckily, our data shows that homeowners aren’t sleeping on this seasonal maintenance: roof inspections are up +108% YoY, with almost half (45.4%) focused on routine check-ups. Here’s a look at the projects homeowners are prioritizing this fall.

The most booked outdoor projects of fall are:

1. Lawn Mowing and Trimming - $55-70 avg. cost
2. Full Service Lawn Care - $65-$108 avg. cost
3. Tree Trimming or Removal - $490 avg. cost
4. Roof Repair and Maintenance - $400 avg. cost
5. Outdoor Landscaping and Design -$62- $96 avg. min. fee
6. Pest Control Services, $125- avg. cost
7. Pressure Washing - $281 avg. cost
8. Exterior Painting - $3,000-$8,100 avg. cost
9. Fence and Gate Installation - $1,501 avg. cost
10. Concrete Installation - $6.92-$9.77 per sq. ft. avg. cost

Yards are clearly a focus this fall, with our top three projects of the season centered around landscaping. And once your yard is in good shape, it’s time to turn to the areas you’ll be spending most of your time these next few months - inside. One indoor area we’re seeing a spike this fall is around heating systems, with Duct and Vent Repair up +67% YoY. Ensuring your HVAC system is serviced and working properly will help you stay warm during the cold winter months ahead and avoid any pricey emergency repairs. 

But that’s not all folks are focused on right now to get their home ready for winter. Here are the other indoor projects homeowners are tackling this fall.

Most booked indoor projects ahead of the holidays:

1. House Cleaning - $180 avg. cost
2. Junk Removal, $200 avg. cost
3. Interior Painting - $324-$1,620/room avg. cost
4. TV Mounting - $139 avg. cost
5. Furniture Assembly - $148 avg. cost
6. Floor Installation - $1,505 avg. cost
7. Carpet Cleaning - $175 avg. cost
8. Drywall Repair and Texturing - $310 avg. cost
9. Lighting Installation - $200 avg. cost
10. Tile Installation - $799 avg. cost

Climate Events are Wreaking Havoc on the Home

From hurricanes to record snowfall to soaring temperatures, 2023 has seen its fair share of extreme weather. And it's taken a toll on our homes, with water damage cleanup and restoration up +91% YoY, and waterproofing projects up +71% YoY. As homes get older and weather more storms, some wear and tear is inevitable. There are, however, proactive measures homeowners can take to help decrease the impact:

• Ensure your gutters are properly installed and cleaned out each season
• Seal basement walls to prevent water seeping through 
• Assess your landscaping to ensure water flows away from your house

In addition to fixing damage from climate events and tackling routine repairs, homeowners are prioritizing sustainable upgrades like Solar Panel Installation or Repair (up +67% YoY) and Sump Pump Installation or Repair (up +63% YoY). In addition to protecting your home from flood damage by removing excess water, sump pumps can help homeowners reduce energy consumption and lower energy bills.

We took a look at what’s broken and the top repairs homeowners are tackling right now. Here’s what we found.

Most booked repair projects this fall are:

1. Appliance Repair - $80 avg. cost
2. Electrical Repair - $185 avg. cost
3. Plumbing Pipe Repair - $175 avg. cost
4. Roof Repair - $375 avg. cost
5. Plumbing Drain Repair - $56-$129 per hour, avg. cost
6. Central Air Conditioning Repair - $300 avg. cost for labor & parts
7. Drywall Repair - $310 avg. cost
8. Sprinkler and Irrigation System Repair - $100 avg. cost
9. Garage Door Repair - $154 avg. cost
10. Lock Repair - $104 avg. cost

Making Our Aging Homes Smarter

A majority of our housing stock is in need of upgrades, with over 50% of homes in the country built before 1980. And homeowners are looking for easy ways to make their current home a little more modern.

Enter smart home products. Smart Home Installations are up +142% YoY, with 85% of homeowners looking to install a new system vs. augmenting or servicing an old system. What types of smart home upgrades are people looking for? 

• 42.4% want a smart thermostat installed
• 18.2% want a smart lock installed
• 14.4% want a smart camera installed
• 7.6% want smart lighting installed

We’re also seeing TV mounting increase, with projects up +60% YoY. Thumbtack Pro Advisor, Sina Omosowon, owner of Shine, a TV mounting business, said people are installing more TVs in their homes than they have in years past, and we’re now seeing 3-4 TVs per single family home. Installing a few smart home products can help your old home feel brand new.

Creating Your Fall To-Do List 

Whether you’re focused on transforming your current home into your dream home, getting your house in tip-top shape ahead of the cold weather or prioritizing sustainability upgrades to help with the increasing number of climate events, fall is the perfect time to give your home a little love so that you can enjoy it all season long.

If you’re not sure where to start, our free fall maintenance guide offers personalized, seasonal recommendations based on your home and location.

Download the Thumbtack app (available on Android and iOS) for a free personalized home maintenance guide specific to your home and location and start checking off projects from your to-do list.

Project Data Methodology: All year-over-year comparison data is based on findings from September 2022 — September 2023 and H1 2022 (January - July) - H2 2023 (January - July). All pricing data is based on national average cost estimates using data provided by Thumbtack pros and additional research, real prices may vary based on city and supply.