Takeaways From My Chat with Angi Co-Founder Angie Hicks
As they say, If you want the real story, talk to the people in every day. And who better to weigh in on what’s happening in home services today than the co-founder of Angi’s List herself!
Last week, I had the pleasure of sitting down for a one-on-one Zoom conversation with Angie Hicks, co-founder and now Chief Customer Officer of Angi Homeservices (formerly Angi’s List). It was a bit of a fan-girl moment for me, as a female founder and head of a New York City interior painting business.
We touched on areas like growing role of women in the trades, to key industry trends, to what the 2026 financial outlook could mean for the home services space. It was an insightful, candid conversation with someone who has helped shape the way homeowners and service professionals connect.
What made the experience especially meaningful is that I’m not just speaking with Angie as a business owner — I’m also an Angi customer (this is not an ad - we genuinely like their platform). I’ve seen firsthand the real value the platform provides in helping homeowners vet and connect with qualified painters and other home service professionals. In an industry where trust and credibility matter so much, that kind of transparency is powerful.
Here were a few of my takeaways from our conversation, as far as what 2026 holds for home owners, trends, and the home services market as a whole.
Home services spending is on the rise.
Consumer spending jumped 4% in 2025 over 2024, with painting ranking among the top 10 most in-demand services — and demand is projected to continue growing in 2026.
Younger homeowners are prioritizing maintenance over major remodels.
Millennials in particular are investing more in projects like painting and upgrades over large-scale renovations, even though 80% say they plan to tackle a major renovation within the next five years.
People are staying in their starter homes longer.
With housing costs remaining high, younger homeowners are living in their homes about five years longer than expected — and putting more money into updates that better support their lifestyles.
Trust matters more than ever, especially for women homeowners.
Women cited the importance of hiring professionals they feel comfortable with and can trust in their homes, which is contributing to a growing preference for women-owned service businesses.
In-person connection still carries real value.
A majority of homeowners want to meet their service provider during the estimation process. Being able to ask questions, set expectations, and build rapport adds meaningful value beyond price alone.