In 2024, home project spending dropped 12%, but that doesn’t mean Americans gave up on their homes. In fact, 93% of homeowners still planned to take on projects in 2025, according to the Angi 2024 State of Home Spending Report.

To make sense of what’s driving this shift—from spending patterns to generational differences—I sat down with Angie Hicks, Co-Founder of Angi. Her insights reveal a new kind of homeowner: one who’s more informed, more prepared, and more focused on function over flashy upgrades

Maintenance Over Mayhem

“Prioritize maintenance over emergency.”

One of the biggest findings in the report? Emergency home spending dropped from $1,667 in 2023 to $978 in 2024.

“That’s a good sign,” said Hicks. “We’ve had a number of years where homeowners are prioritizing maintenance. And maintenance usually helps us avoid problems that are more costly, unexpected, and—quite honestly—stressful.”

This proactive approach is especially noticeable among millennials, who spent about $1,000 more than any other generation on maintenance in 2024. Hicks credits that to smarter budgeting and a mindset shift in younger homeowners.

“They’re budgeting better. They’re thinking about long-term ownership. And they’re prioritizing maintenance instead of waiting for something to break.”

But the decline in emergency spending may also have a more complicated explanation. For some homeowners, it could reflect deferred maintenance due to financial pressure. In fact, 61% of homeowners reported concern about affording repairs and maintenance in 2025.

So while a drop in emergencies might suggest smarter planning, it could also highlight the growing number of homeowners stuck in reactive mode, unable to address pressing issues because of limited funds.

Budget Smart

“Be critical. Walk through your house like a buyer.”

Homeownership may be the American dream, but it’s not without stress. In 2024, 43% of homeowners said stress related to repairs and maintenance increased, making it the most stressful budget category ahead of healthcare, childcare, and debt.

Hicks offered a simple tip: treat your home like a project with a plan.

“At the beginning of the year, walk through your house like a prospective buyer. Write down everything you see. Then prioritize: structural and mechanical first, then aesthetics.”

Why? Because making the wrong call—say, spending $10K on a dream deck when you really need a new roof—can leave homeowners “way upside down,” Angie warned. “Then you’re totally stressed out, and buying a house feels like the worst decision you ever made.”

First-Time Buyer Advice

“You need to plan for surprises.”

If you're a first-time buyer, Hicks says the most important thing is understanding what you're getting into—starting with a solid home inspection.

“Find a good home inspector before you start house hunting. Go on the inspection. Ask questions. Learn where your water shutoff is. Learn what that crack in the wall could mean.”

She also emphasized the importance of planning for what she calls “the surprise factor.”

“You think about your mortgage, taxes, insurance—but you don’t realize you need to set aside 1–2% of your home’s value every year for repairs and improvements. And then something breaks, like your garage door, and your whole day gets hijacked.”

The ROI Shift

“You might’ve bought your forever home without knowing it.”

One of the most powerful shifts in the data—and in Angie’s perspective—is the move away from resale-driven upgrades toward more livable, personalized spaces.

“People are less focused on ROI and more focused on making their homes livable,” she said. “They're doing things that make sense for their lives, not just their Zillow listing.”

Take bathrooms: tubs are out, showers are in. “People are ripping out bathtubs and putting in larger, groutless, easy-to-clean showers. They don’t want to spend their weekends scrubbing tile.”

She also noted how today’s homeowners—especially younger ones—are taking a longer view on their homes.

“A lot of people thought they were buying a starter home during the pandemic, but they actually bought their forever home. So they’re thinking: ‘Can I add onto this later? Can I make this work for the next 10 years?’”

Labor Stress and Decision Fatigue

“You need to know what kind of pro you’re hiring.”

Hiring a contractor or service pro continues to be a major source of stress. Fifty-four percent of homeowners struggled to find skilled labor in 2024—whether due to high costs, poor communication, or just not knowing where to look.

Hicks said a lot of stress comes from homeowners not knowing who they even need to hire.

“If you’re only putting a roof on a house once or twice in your lifetime, you’re not going to become a roofing expert. But you do need to trust your roofer.”

She recommends homeowners ask if a home inspector or contractor carries errors and omissions insurance, especially in unregulated states. “It’s your backup plan in case something major gets missed.”

What Comes Next? More Smart Spending

Despite economic pressure, homeowners are still investing in their homes—but they’re doing it more thoughtfully.

“They didn’t stop spending. They just got smarter about how,” Angie said.

That’s echoed in 2025’s most popular planned projects:

• Regular maintenance (36%)

• Interior painting (22%)

• Bathroom remodels (13%)

• Flooring installation (13%)

• Landscaping (12%)

And while kitchen and bathroom remodels remain high on the long-term wish list, many homeowners are opting for affordable “refreshes” rather than gut jobs.

“If you can avoid changing your kitchen’s footprint—and keep your cabinets—your costs drop dramatically,” said Hicks. “Painting cabinets and adding hardware is huge right now. It’s amazing what a little refresh can do.”

Your Home is Still Worth the Effort

Despite tighter budgets and rising stress, homeowners are digging in—not giving up.

“Home is still the center of our lives,” Hicks reflected. “People are spending more time there. They’re being thoughtful. And even though it’s harder to move or afford major upgrades, they’re investing in what they already have.”

From surprise garage door fiascos to bathtub-free bathroom trends, one message came through loud and clear: if you’re willing to plan ahead and prioritize wisely, homeownership is still worth the stress.