One In Four Homeowners Has Just $500 Or Less Saved For Repairs While 81% Faced A Repair Emergency Last Year And 61% Delayed Fixes

Ask a homeowner what keeps them up at night and the answer is often not the mortgage. It is the call from the plumber, the roofer or the heating company that arrives right when the budget is already stretched. A recent survey suggests many households are not ready for that call.

The 2025 State of the Home Survey, conducted for home repair plan company HomeServe, found that one in four homeowners has $500 or less set aside for home repairs. The results were reported by Contracting Business on September 26, 2025.

What The Survey Found

The survey included 2,524 adults, among them 2,333 homeowners. Because HomeServe sells home repair plans, keep in mind that it has a business interest in the topic. The numbers are still worth a look, because they will ring true to anyone who has owned a house. According to the Contracting Business report:

1 in 4 homeowners has $500 or less for repairs.
61% delayed repairs.
81% had a repair emergency in the past year.
43% did not know if their water service line contained lead.
77% had a power outage lasting longer than five minutes.

Put the first three together and the picture is uncomfortable. Most homeowners had an emergency, a large share put off repairs, and a quarter have only a small cushion on hand. A $500 cushion does not go far when a single service call can eat into it quickly.

Why The Gap Hurts

Repairs do not arrive on a schedule, and they rarely arrive cheap. When money is not set aside, homeowners end up choosing between paying with a credit card, borrowing, or letting the problem sit. Letting it sit is the one that can quietly make things worse. Small problems have a way of growing, and the survey found that 61% of homeowners delayed repairs.

That is not a judgment on anyone. Prices are up for many families, and saving money is easier said than done. But the numbers show why having even a modest fund can take some of the panic out of a bad day.

Two Other Numbers Worth Noticing

The survey also touched on two items beyond repair budgets. First, 43% of respondents did not know if their water service line contained lead. The service line is the pipe that carries water from the main to your home. If you are among the many who are not sure what yours is made of, a call to your local water utility is a reasonable place to start. They can tell you what they know about your area, and some will explain how to check your own line.

Second, 77% had an outage that lasted longer than five minutes. That is a good reminder to keep flashlights, fresh batteries and a few basic supplies where you can find them in the dark.

How To Build A Repair Fund, Even Slowly

You do not need to save thousands overnight. Here are some practical ways to start:

Pick a number you can handle. A small, steady amount each month beats a big plan you abandon in two weeks. Move it into a separate savings account so you are not tempted to spend it.
Automate it. Set up a transfer for payday. Money you never see is money you do not miss.
Use windfalls. A tax refund, a bonus or money from selling something around the house can give the fund a quick boost.
Know what you have. Review your homeowners insurance and any warranties so you know what is and is not covered before something breaks.
Keep a running repair list. Write down the items you are watching and their rough costs. Seeing the list helps you plan instead of react.

What About Repair Plans?

Since the survey comes from a company that sells these plans, it is fair to mention them. Home repair and service plans exist to help cover certain repairs for a monthly fee. Whether one is right for you depends on what it covers, what it excludes, how much it costs, and how likely you are to use it. If you are tempted, read the contract, look for limits and exclusions, and compare it with what you could save on your own. Do not sign anything under pressure.

Do Not Let The Little Stuff Slide

Because so many homeowners are delaying repairs, it helps to think about which fixes are worth doing first. Anything involving water, electricity or safety deserves attention sooner rather than later. Cosmetic items can usually wait. If you are unsure, ask a professional to take a look and tell you how urgent it is.

The bottom line from this survey is simple. Most homeowners should expect the unexpected, and a lot of them are not financially ready for it. Whether you start with twenty dollars a month or two hundred, the best time to begin a repair fund is before the next repair. Your future self, standing in a flooded basement or a freezing house, will be glad you did.

Willow and Hearth