AI and the American Home

AI and the American Home

From leaky faucets to looming roof replacements, homeowners are increasingly relying on artificial intelligence to guide their decisions. But how much trust do people really place in AI tools, and are they right to?

We surveyed over 1,000 homeowners to uncover how AI is reshaping homeownership across generations. What we found reveals both enthusiasm and caution, with Americans using chatbots to save money, reduce stress, and even second-guess professionals.

Key Takeaways

• While 68% worry AI could give misleading advice, over 2 in 5 homeowners have already used it for help with home repairs or maintenance.
• Nearly 1 in 4 homeowners would delay hiring a professional if AI said a home issue wasn’t urgent.
• 1 in 4 homeowners have used AI to challenge or verify advice from a contractor.
• Homeowners who follow AI’s advice save big, reporting an average 47% reduction in repair or maintenance costs.
• 29% of homeowners who used AI tools say it made them feel less stressed about managing home repairs.
• Overall, 79% of homeowners said they trust a contractor more than AI when it comes to home repair decisions.
• More than 1 in 5 homeowners are turning to AI for home insurance questions.

Most Homeowners Use AI for Simple Repairs

Many homeowners are turning to AI for quick fixes and budget-saving decisions, even if they don’t fully trust it. Despite common concerns, generational trends show growing comfort in using AI for home-related tasks.

More than 2 in 5 homeowners have used AI tools like chatbots or virtual assistants for help with home repairs or maintenance. That’s despite the fact that 68% were worried that AI tools could give misleading advice. Gen Z homeowners were especially conflicted. While a strong majority (86%) were concerned about AI’s reliability, half had still used it for home maintenance or repair guidance.

AI tools aren’t perfect, so it’s normal to have concerns about accuracy. A quarter of homeowners said they’ve used AI to fact-check or challenge advice from a contractor, and 1 in 10 reported that AI gave them conflicting advice compared to a technician or expert. That kind of mixed messaging can create even more uncertainty about a home repair.

When it came to specific tasks, Americans were most comfortable trusting AI with pest control issues and least likely to trust its advice on electrical repairs. Only 17% said they would trust AI to estimate their roof’s remaining lifespan without human input.

Next, we’ll look at what homeowners did with AI’s advice and whether it helped them save on home-related costs or not.

Despite the trust gap, the savings are hard to ignore. Homeowners who followed AI advice reported an average 47% reduction in repair or maintenance costs. The biggest savings were seen in appliance repairs (51%), plumbing (49%), and general handyman work (46%).

AI advice wasn’t always double-checked, as 22% of homeowners said they acted on its suggestions without consulting a human expert. Gen Z led this behavior, with 27% saying they’ve done so.

Homeowners who used AI tools were more likely to feel less stressed about managing home repairs or renovations: 29% reported feeling somewhat or much less stressed, compared to just 13% of non-users. Non-users were more likely than AI users to feel overwhelmed by home responsibilities (30% vs. 20%, respectively).

Is AI Trusted for Home Guidance?

Even as AI gains ground in everyday repairs, most homeowners still rely on traditional professionals when something goes wrong.

Only about 8% of homeowners said they turn to AI first when a home problem arises. However, that number climbs to 12% among Gen Z. For the majority, contractors and technicians remain the most trusted sources of advice.

Overall, 79% of homeowners said they trust a contractor more than AI when it comes to home repair decisions. Just 10% placed more faith in AI. However, AI’s influence still matters. Nearly 1 in 4 said they would delay hiring a professional if AI indicated the problem wasn’t urgent.

How Americans Use AI for Insurance Advice

Beyond the toolbox, AI is also making inroads in how homeowners approach insurance, especially when it comes to navigating the fine print.

More than 1 in 5 homeowners have turned to AI tools to get answers about home insurance, and some found the experience surprisingly helpful. In fact, 17% said AI had been more useful than their insurance provider in explaining tricky policy exclusions or comparing similar coverage options.

Another 51% believe AI offers more impartial advice than a human agent. But while digital tools can be helpful for quick comparisons or decoding jargon, they don’t replace the value of personalized guidance. When it comes to understanding your full coverage needs or getting support when something goes wrong, an experienced agent is still the best resource.

Would You Let AI Decide What’s Urgent at Home?

AI is becoming a household tool, whether homeowners are fixing a leaky pipe or decoding a confusing insurance clause. But while many are eager to use it, trust remains a major hurdle, especially when advice from a chatbot contradicts that of a professional. As AI continues to evolve, homeowners will face a critical question: When should you take its word, and when should you call in a pro?

Methodology

We surveyed 1,005 homeowners in May 2025 to explore how they are integrating AI into home-related decisions, from repairs and renovations to insurance and contractor trust. The generational breakdown was 8% Gen Z, 43% millennials, 35% Gen X, and 15% baby boomers. Percentages in the study may not total 100% exactly due to rounding or not showing all answers to survey questions.

About Guardian Service

Guardian Service helps homeowners protect what matters most while keeping the process simple, affordable, and stress-free. From navigating home insurance options to finding trusted coverage, our zero-commission agents will help you find the right coverage at the right price, and shop your insurance for you so you never have to worry about getting the right price ever again.

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