Repair costs are rising rapidly, and young homeowners are fed up. With labor and materials up 4% year over year and mortgage rates at a punishing 6.84%, hiring a contractor is simply not worth it for many. Instead, Gen Z and Millennials are grabbing paintbrushes, watching tutorials, and figuring it out on their own.
TikTok and YouTube are flooded with easy-to-follow guides, and 80% of Gen Z DIYers say these videos are their go-to for help. Apps like Hippo Home keep them organized, while big-box retailers make it simple to buy online and grab what they need in-store.
Bidvine / Pexels / Reports say that the average homeowner saves $4,700 per year by skipping professionals and doing it themselves.
Most of these repairs are small. A dripping sink, a busted light fixture, or a patch of peeling paint. Projects like interior painting (22%), bathroom upgrades (13%), and landscaping (12%) lead the pack. These jobs are easy to start and don’t cost much up front.
Young Homeowners are Leading the Charge
Millennials and Gen Z aren’t waiting around for help. About 60% of Millennials and 56% of Gen Z take on home repairs themselves, compared to just 32% of Baby Boomers. Why? For younger folks, it is about more than function. They want style, sustainability, and smart upgrades that reflect their personality. And they want it on a budget.
Social media plays a huge role here. These generations grew up online. They are used to learning through video and are not afraid to try something new if it saves money. They know one wrong move might cost extra. But for them, the risk is worth the reward.
Aesthetic Fixes Beat Emergency Repairs
Older homeowners usually wait until something breaks before they fix it. For younger homeowners, repairs are often about improvement, not emergencies.
The focus is shifting from “fix it when it breaks” to “make it better now.” Think smart thermostats, eco-friendly lighting, and modern paint jobs. These changes make homes look better, feel more efficient, and add long-term value without huge up-front costs.
Fall / Pexels / 80% of DIYers blow their budget by at least $500. Materials cost more than expected, mistakes happen, and sometimes tools break or don’t work like they should.
Still, even with slip-ups, most find it cheaper than hiring someone. And they are okay spending time on it. Saving money is the main goal. Seventy-three percent of homeowners say cost is the top reason they go DIY.
Labor Shortages Make Pros Hard to Find
Even if you want to hire a pro, you're out of luck. This is because labor shortages in construction and repair trades are stretching out timelines and jacking up quotes. You might wait weeks for a call back and pay thousands more than you expected.
Add in the steady 5 to 7% yearly hike in material prices, and it is easy to see why people are trying to avoid the pro route. When you can’t afford the wait or the price, you roll up your sleeves and figure it out.
However, most homeowners can’t afford to move. Home prices are still high, with a median around $435,000, and many people are locked into low mortgage rates they scored during the pandemic.
About 48% of homeowners are choosing to renovate rather than relocate. Over 60% are even borrowing money to fund those improvements, tapping into credit cards and home equity loans. When moving is off the table, fixing up your space becomes a top priority.
The home improvement market is expected to hit $526 billion annually, and a big chunk of that is now driven by DIYers.
