In 2025, the average homeowner spent over $2,000 on routine home maintenance and nearly $1,150 on emergency home repairs.
This means that homeowners can expect to spend up to (or more than) $3,000 annually on unforeseen, house-related issues.
Some repairs are more expensive than others. Some are more pressing – especially on HVAC units. But make no mistake: the data shows that homeowners are in need of repair services all the time, from big-ticket items like standby generators to less expensive necessities like water systems. As a home services contractor, it’s your job to know when a repair might be more beneficial than a replacement – and how to make it work with your customer’s financial situation.
To Repair or Not to Repair?
Times are tough. Guess what? They’re not getting any easier. And with almost a third of all Americans carrying less than a thousand dollars in their emergency savings, it’s no wonder why most people are saying no to replacements and repairs – at least for the short-term.
Of all the homeowners in need of repairs, 79 percent say they plan to address them within the next six months. Why the wait? It’s simple: money. Almost 60 percent of these individuals can’t afford to fix their issues at present even when they desperately want to.
And while many homeowners may qualify for Home Comfort-as-a-Service models like our Premier Program®, several others will struggle to accept the need for a quick fix that requires the entire payment up front, much less a replacement or ongoing home-comfort program.
Staying Repair-Ready in Today’s Home Contractor Market
We’re living in a replacement-resistant market. While upselling opportunities and long-term relationships can be a business’ best friend, closing repair deals on comfort systems like heat pumps and air conditioners can be just as challenging – and, sometimes, equally rewarding.
Whatever the circumstances, meeting homeowners where they are is a great way to build trust. When you can prove you have their best interests at heart, not in your wallet, you develop the foundation for a working relationship.
It’s not contractually binding, but it’s a start.
Having solid repair financing options can bolster your business in several ways. Economic factors are forcing families to reconsider replacements, even when the need for a new comfort system seems obvious. Now more than ever, customers feel like they must opt for short-term solutions that get them the comfort they need at a price they can afford today.
Some contractors, like Michael Boston, focus on overcommunicating pending issues to homeowners, selling repair options on site while including quotes on older equipment that might soon need replacing. That way, the homeowner “can start budgeting and know what to expect when it’s time [to replace] in the next couple of years.” It’s a great strategy for building trust while working toward that eventual replacement sale.
Across the nation, everyday contractors are trying to manage their businesses in this replacement-resistant market. They’re taking to Facebook groups and Reddit boards to brainstorm ways to navigate this trend.
One option to consider is offering short-term loans on repairs, which can offer an interesting solution to many of these problems.
Loans for HVAC, Plumbing, and Electrical Repair Financing
There are certain, specific situations where you’re better off repairing than replacing. Maybe the heating system isn’t old enough to warrant a costly replacement, but the unit doesn’t have a warranty. Maybe the water plumbing issue isn’t detrimental to the system’s long-term health, but it is impacting the current performance. Or maybe the homeowner simply can’t afford anything but that quick fix.
In all these cases, repair financing is a good option to have in your back pocket. At the minimum, it allows you to offer right-sized loans to those who don’t have cash on-hand today.
Think about it: for a family of four, a $600 cash fix might not seem possible. But (hypothetically), paying just $30 a month for two years with no down payment? That’s something most families can and will consider.
There are ways you can prepare for this. Repair financing solutions through full-stack platforms can help you run a better, more efficient business while still helping families get the comfort they need.
Why? Because full-stack platforms reduce friction at the kitchen table. Financing a repair is already a tough pill to swallow – “You mean I have to make a monthly payment on something I thought I already paid for?”
Making those conversations easier with one application, instant approvals, and a list of all their available options vs. the disheartening process of filling out multiple applications just to see whether a bank will eventually approve their loan request is the best way to keep a discussion centered on fixing the current issue while also informing the customer on what they can expect out of their unit in the future.
That way, when it’s time to replace the aging HVAC system, they remember how you helped them make the best out of a tough situation – and how you prepared them for the inevitable, as well.
Home Comfort System Repairs vs. Replacements: Looking Ahead
Every homeowner’s needs are different. When you get the call to investigate a problem, there’s times when the need for something new is obvious, and others where a simple repair will do the trick. Knowing what to offer your customers and what’s right for your company is important. In a replacement-resistant market, it can make or break a business.
In 2026, ACHR News expects prices will continue rising and financing will become the norm. Are you prepared to give your clients the repair solutions they need, regardless of their financial situations? Now more than ever, it’s essential, and it’s why the ability to close repair deals could make all the difference in your sales efforts.
Interested in learning more about the benefits of repair financing? Reach out to one of our team members and see how Comfort Connect can help.
