home costs
The Honest Home Repair Cost Planner
What work actually costs, and how to read a quote
The problem it solves
You have no idea whether the number on the quote is fair.
A practical guide to budgeting home repairs and improvements, reading contractor quotes, and spotting the pricing patterns that signal trouble.
Who it's for
Anyone about to hire a contractor for the first or fiftieth time.
What you'll get out of it
- Understand how labor, materials, and overhead build a price
- Learn the questions that make a vague quote specific
- Recognize red flags before money changes hands
- Build a repair reserve that matches your house
Table of contents
- 1. How a quote is built
- 2. Materials vs. labor vs. overhead
- 3. Line-item vs. lump-sum
- 4. The questions to ask every contractor
- 5. Deposits, draws and change orders
- 6. Red flags
- 7. Building your reserve
Sample pages
A price is three numbers
Every quote is labor, materials, and overhead-plus-profit. When a contractor will not separate them, you cannot compare bids — you are only comparing confidence.
Ask for line items. A professional who prices honestly has no reason to refuse.