Home Improvement Comparisons
Side-by-side cost comparisons to help you choose the right materials and projects. Compare costs, lifespan, maintenance, and more.
Showing 23 of 23 comparisons
Refinish vs Replace Bathtub
Refinish Bathtub
$300-$600
per tub
Replace Bathtub
$1,500-$5,000
per tub
Walk-In Shower vs Bathtub
Walk-In Shower
$3,000-$8,000
per installed
Bathtub
$1,500-$5,000
per installed
LED vs Incandescent Lighting
LED Bulbs
$3-$15
per bulb
Incandescent Bulbs
$1-$3
per bulb
Solar Panels vs Grid Power
Solar Panel System
$15,000-$35,000
per system
Grid Power
$100-$300
per month
Asphalt vs Concrete Driveway
Asphalt Driveway
$4-$8
per sq ft
Concrete Driveway
$8-$15
per sq ft
Pavers vs Concrete Patio
Concrete Patio
$6-$15
per sq ft
Paver Patio
$12-$25
per sq ft
Vinyl vs Fiber Cement Siding
Vinyl Siding
$4-$8
per sq ft
Fiber Cement Siding
$8-$14
per sq ft
Wood vs Composite Decking
Pressure-Treated Wood
$15-$25
per sq ft
Composite Decking
$25-$45
per sq ft
Carpet vs Hardwood Flooring
Carpet
$3-$12
per sq ft
Hardwood
$6-$18
per sq ft
Hardwood vs Laminate Flooring
Hardwood
$6-$18
per sq ft
Laminate
$3-$10
per sq ft
Hardwood vs Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)
Hardwood
$6-$18
per sq ft
Luxury Vinyl Plank
$4-$10
per sq ft
Tile vs Luxury Vinyl Plank
Ceramic/Porcelain Tile
$5-$15
per sq ft
Luxury Vinyl Plank
$4-$10
per sq ft
DIY vs Hiring a Contractor
DIY (Do It Yourself)
30-70% savings
per savings
Hire a Contractor
Full price + warranty
per of project cost
Central Air vs Mini-Split
Central Air Conditioning
$5,000-$12,000
per system
Mini-Split System
$3,000-$15,000
per system
Granite vs Quartz Countertops
Granite
$40-$100
per sq ft
Quartz
$50-$150
per sq ft
Reface vs Replace Kitchen Cabinets
Cabinet Refacing
$4,000-$10,000
per kitchen
Cabinet Replacement
$8,000-$25,000
per kitchen
Copper vs PEX Pipes
Copper Pipes
$8,000-$15,000
per whole house
PEX Pipes
$4,000-$8,000
per whole house
Septic System vs Sewer Connection
Septic System
$5,000-$15,000
per system
Sewer Connection
$3,000-$15,000
per connection
Tank vs Tankless Water Heater
Tank Water Heater
$800-$1,800
per installed
Tankless Water Heater
$2,000-$4,500
per installed
Asphalt Shingles vs Metal Roofing
Asphalt Shingles
$4-$8
per sq ft
Metal Roofing
$8-$16
per sq ft
Roof Repair vs Replacement
Roof Repair
$300-$1,500
per repair
Roof Replacement
$8,000-$20,000
per project
Steel vs Fiberglass Entry Door
Steel Entry Door
$400-$1,200
per door
Fiberglass Entry Door
$800-$3,000
per door
Vinyl vs Wood Windows
Vinyl Windows
$300-$800
per window
Wood Windows
$600-$1,500
per window
Popular Comparisons
Hardwood vs Laminate Flooring
Hardwood costs 2x more upfront but lasts 3-4x longer and adds 2-5% to home value. Laminate is best for tight budgets or rentals.
$6-$18
vs
$3-$10
Hardwood vs Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)
LVP is the practical choice for wet areas and active families. Hardwood wins for formal spaces and long-term value. Many homes use both strategically.
$6-$18
vs
$4-$10
Tile vs Luxury Vinyl Plank
Tile wins for longevity and bathrooms. LVP wins for comfort and easy installation. Both are waterproof, so choose based on feel and budget.
$5-$15
vs
$4-$10
Asphalt Shingles vs Metal Roofing
Metal costs 2x more but lasts 2-3x longer with lower energy bills. If staying 15+ years, metal often has lower total cost of ownership.
$4-$8
vs
$8-$16
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