Repair vs replace — every system, one rule
The 30% rule: when a single repair costs more than 30% of full replacement — or when you've paid for the same fix twice in two years — replace. Use the table to size up your own bid.
Key takeaway
The single best predictor isn't price — it's age. Anything past 75% of its expected lifespan rarely earns back a major repair.
| System | Typical repair | Replacement | Repair / replace | Lifespan | Top warning sign |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roofing | $200–$3.5k | $8k–$30k | 10% | 20–30 years for asphalt, 40–70 for metal, 50+ for tile | granule loss, curling shingles, or interior staining |
| HVAC | $150–$2.2k | $5k–$14k | 12% | 15–20 years for furnaces and ACs, 12–15 for heat pumps | rising bills, uneven temperatures, or short cycling |
| Kitchen | $500–$5k | $15k–$80k | 6% | Cabinets 30+ years; appliances 10–15; counters 20+ | outdated layout, failing cabinets, or appliances past 15 years |
| Bathroom | $250–$3.5k | $6k–$35k | 9% | Vanities 15–20 years; tile 25+; fixtures 10–15 | mold at grout joints, soft floors, or constant fixture issues |
| Windows | $100–$600 | $5k–$15k | 4% | Vinyl 20–25 years; fiberglass 30–40; wood 30+ with maintenance | drafts, condensation between panes, or stuck operation |
| Garage Doors | $150–$450 | $1.2k–$4.5k | 11% | Doors 15–30 years; springs 7–12; openers 10–15 | loud operation, sagging panels, or a broken spring |
| Flooring | $150–$2k | $3k–$20k | 9% | Hardwood 30+ years; LVP 15–25; carpet 8–12; tile 50+ | buckling, gaps, persistent squeaks, or pet-stain damage |
| Solar | $250–$3k | $18k–$35k | 6% | Panels 25–30 years; inverters 10–15; batteries 10 | rising electric bills and 5+ hours of unshaded sun |
| Plumbing | $175–$2.5k | $500–$15k | 17% | Copper 50+; PEX 40–50; galvanized 40 (often fails sooner) | low pressure, brown water, or recurring drips |
| Electrical | $150–$2.5k | $1.5k–$12k | 20% | Service panels 40+ years; outlets 25+; wiring 50+ | tripping breakers, warm outlets, or aluminum branch wiring |
Repair/replace ratios use midpoint repair vs midpoint replacement. Hidden damage discovered during a repair shifts the math toward replacement.
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