Spring is usually associated with cleaning, but in 2026, it is increasingly associated with spending. As the winter freeze thaws, it reveals the damage left behind, just as inflation in the skilled trades sector hits its annual peak.
Contractors are busiest in April and May, meaning “demand pricing” is in full effect. Furthermore, new environmental regulations taking effect this year have spiked the cost of routine chemical treatments for pests and cooling. If you are waiting until the first 80-degree day to call a technician, you are already too late. Here are six home-related expenses that spike before spring—and why you need to book them now.
1. The HVAC “Refrigerant” Shock
The EPA’s transition to A2L refrigerants is fully underway in 2026, and it has made maintaining older air conditioners significantly more expensive. If your unit uses the old R-410A refrigerant, the cost to “top it off” has nearly doubled since last spring due to supply cuts.
The Spike: A simple spring tune-up that used to cost $150 can now turn into a $600 to $800 bill if your system is low on Freon. Technicians are charging premium rates for the dwindling supply of old refrigerant. If you wait until a July heatwave to fix a leak, you may find the parts are on backorder or the refrigerant price has jumped again.
2. The Termite “Swarm” Barrier
Spring is “swarm season” for termites. In 2026, the cost of chemical termiticides has risen, driving up the price of the “perimeter barrier” treatments that protect your home.
The Spike: Pest control companies are raising rates by 10% to 15% this season to cover higher insurance and chemical costs. A preventative trenching and treatment job that was $1,200 two years ago is now pushing $1,600. If you ignore the early warning signs (like discarded wings on your windowsill), the repair bill for structural damage will dwarf the cost of the treatment.
3. Gutter “Re-Pitching” (Not Just Cleaning)
Winter ice dams are heavy. They don’t just clog gutters; they bend them, ruining the “pitch” or angle needed to drain water away from your foundation.
The Spike: Come April showers, many seniors discover their basement is flooding because the gutters are overflowing backwards. Fixing the pitch requires skilled labor to re-hang the brackets, not just a handyman to scoop out leaves. This repair has spiked to $8 to $12 per linear foot in 2026 due to high insurance costs for ladder work.
4. The HOA “Curb Appeal” Mandate
Homeowners Associations (HOAs) are aggressive in the spring. In 2026, many boards are cracking down on “organic growth”—specifically algae on siding and driveways—to maintain property values.
The Spike: You may receive a violation letter demanding you pressure wash your home within 30 days. Professional pressure washing services have raised their minimum trip charges to $350 or $400 to cover fuel and water reclamation rules. If you physically cannot do it yourself, this is a mandatory spring tax on your budget.
5. Tree “Defensible Space” Trimming
As mentioned in our insurance coverage update, carriers are using drones to check for overhanging branches. Spring is the deadline to clear this “defensible space” before wildfire season warnings begin.
The Spike: Arborists are in high demand in March and April. The cost to remove a single large limb over a roof has risen to $500 to $800 due to liability risks. Waiting until summer often means paying “emergency” rates or risking a non-renewal notice from your insurer.
6. Sump Pump Battery Backup
Spring thaw brings a high risk of power outages during storms. If your sump pump relies on grid power, a spring thunderstorm could flood your basement in an hour.
The Spike: The cost of marine-grade backup batteries has risen. Installing a reliable battery backup system now costs $400 to $600 for the hardware alone. While expensive, it is cheaper than the $5,000 deductible you would pay for water backup damage.
Book Before the Rush
The “Spring Rush” in the trades usually starts in mid-March. If you call a contractor today, you might get “winter pricing.” If you call in April, you will pay full market rate.
Did your HVAC technician quote you a high price for Freon this year? Leave a comment below—share the amount!
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