After a years-long housing boom, U.S. home sales and renovation activity are finally cooling. Rising interest rates, people moving less often, and shrinking budgets have led to softer spending across the home improvement sector.
Big-box chains like Home Depot and Lowe’s warned of slower sales earlier in the year as homeowners delay large-scale remodeling and focus more on small projects and maintenance.
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Ace Hardware is making the most of the potential growth. In conjunction with National Simplify Your Life Week (Aug. 4–10), the company today released new data from its Ace Hardware Home Services division showing that millennials are putting off big projects, but they’re also struggling to keep up with basic home repairs.
According to Ace Hardware’s new national survey, 87% of U.S. millennial homeowners have at least one unfinished project — and 84% admit they’ve delayed fixing it.
Ace Hardware: ‘Do it for me' is the new ‘Do it yourself'
“There’s a real sense of frustration that comes from walking past the same unfinished projects every day,” said Jason Hipskind, President of Plumbing, Heating, Cooling and Electrical for Ace Hardware Home Services in an announcement.
This trend represents a major opportunity for Ace, which has quietly expanded into local home services in 48 states, covering everything from plumbing and electrical to HVAC, painting and handyman jobs.
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Ace is competing for business that Home Depot and Lowe's don't have the infrastructure to support.
By offering a one-stop solution, the company is betting that convenience — and guaranteed workmanship — will appeal to homeowners who are increasingly overwhelmed by their growing to-do lists.
Ace Hardware survey: DIY decline — and a professional opportunity
The survey, conducted among 1,000 millennial homeowners, highlights a shift away from do-it-yourself repairs and toward outsourcing — especially for more complex issues.
Among the issues people say they want help with:
- Electrical problems, 66%
- Heating and cooling, 62%
- Plumbing, 60%
Only 36% feel comfortable tackling drywall, and nearly 30% have abandoned a home improvement project entirely.
Even more striking: 51% of the respondents say the stress of incomplete projects is affecting their daily lives, and 57% avoid using parts of their homes due to unresolved repairs.
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When things break, millennials are increasingly turning to pros — 63% say they rely on professional help for urgent issues, and over half say they prefer peace of mind from hiring someone over the satisfaction of doing it themselves.
“We’re seeing more homeowners finally addressing those ‘I’ll get to it someday' projects, especially ones that protect or extend the life of their most valuable asset – their home,” Hipskind told TheStreet exclusively, about the growth of Ace's Home Services sector.
Ace Hardware Home Services model
Ace Hardware Home Services isn’t just a referral platform — it’s a fully integrated, company-operated service division. That means the people showing up to take on small projects like patching drywall, installing cabinets, or mounting a TV are vetted, insured employees, not third-party contractors.
Among the services Ace can provide:
- Handyman: Drywall fixes, deck repairs, furniture assembly
- Painting: Interior, exterior, deck staining, and more
- Plumbing: Toilet repair, water heater installs, drain cleaning
- HVAC: Furnace and AC service, heat pumps, system tune-ups
- Electrical: New outlets, lighting, EV charger installation
With its Home Services, Ace is differentiating itself from competitors like Home Depot and Lowe’s. The Ace rivals do not offer home repair services under their own brand; instead, they rely on third-party contractors.
“By delivering not just the tools and materials, but the people who can get the job done right, we’re building deeper relationships, increasing loyalty, and driving growth,” said Hipskind.
Strategic growth through local service
Ace’s home services push reflects its broader growth strategy. As a retailer cooperative, Ace supports more than 5,000 U.S. store owners — many in underserved suburban and rural areas where demand for local, trustworthy help is high. By adding services to its hardware lineup, Ace deepens its customer relationships and adds recurring revenue in a slowing retail environment.
In an era when homeowners are rethinking large renovations, Ace Hardware is betting that small, consistent help — delivered by local pros — could be the future of home improvement.
“Even in a softer market, Ace stays strong because we’re locally owned and deeply connected to our communities. We adapt quickly, focus on everyday home preservation, repair and maintenance,” said Hipskind.
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