METHODOLOGY

How we estimate home services cost

Every cost figure on HomeServicesCost is built from a combination of three primary data sources, applied uniformly across all categories so estimates are comparable across cities and across project types.

Data sources

1. Regional labor wages (BLS)

The Bureau of Labor Statistics publishes occupational employment and wage statistics ("OEWS") at the metropolitan statistical area level. We pull the median hourly wage for the relevant trade (roofers, HVAC technicians, plumbers, etc.) for each metro we cover, plus a national-average baseline, and adjust upward for fringe benefits, supervision overhead, and contractor margin (typically 1.8-2.4× the raw wage to reach billed labor rate).

2. Material price indices (RSMeans + manufacturer)

RSMeans publishes regional material cost indices for construction inputs. For categories with concentrated supplier markets (e.g., asphalt shingles, mid-tier HVAC units), we cross-reference RSMeans data against published distributor pricing from the major manufacturers (GAF, Owens Corning, IKO, Carrier, Trane, Lennox).

3. Permit + inspection fees (municipal data)

Permit fees vary widely between metros — a roof permit in Houston runs different than the same permit in Boston. Where municipal data is publicly available, we pull current fee schedules from city/county building departments. Where not, we use state-level averages from the National Association of Home Builders survey data.

Refresh cadence

All three underlying datasets are refreshed quarterly. Material categories prone to volatility (steel, copper, lumber) can move sharply between refreshes, so treat any single figure as a planning range rather than a firm quote — and always confirm against a current local bid.

What we exclude from the estimates

The cost ranges shown are for typical project scope under typical conditions. They do not include:

Category-specific notes

Mold remediation

The IICRC S520 standard classifies mold by Condition — Condition 1 (normal fungal ecology), Condition 2 (settled spores), and Condition 3 (actual growth) — which describes the nature of the contamination, not its size. Our calculator's Level 1–4 tiers are a separate square-footage and containment shorthand (closer to the area-based scheme in the NYC Department of Health guidelines) used to estimate the practical scope of a job. The two systems answer different questions, so we keep them distinct rather than claiming the area tiers equal the S520 Conditions. We frame remediation as a cost and process reference only. Always hire IICRC-certified remediation contractors and verify certification on the IICRC public registry.

Roof replacement

Cost-per-square (100 sq ft of roof) varies by pitch (steeper = more labor), material (asphalt < metal < tile < slate), and tear-off complexity (single-layer < multi-layer < deck repair needed). Our calculator factors in pitch multiplier and tear-off scenario explicitly.

HVAC replacement

System sizing (BTUs needed) is driven by square footage × climate zone × insulation quality. We use Manual J load-calculation heuristics for initial sizing; final sizing requires an in-home assessment by a licensed contractor.

Foundation repair

Cost varies dramatically by method (epoxy crack injection at the low end, full underpinning with piers at the high end) and by foundation type (pier-and-beam vs. slab vs. crawl space vs. full basement). Soil type (expansive clay common in TX, sandy in FL, frost-prone in MN) affects long-term recurrence risk; we note it but do not warranty against re-occurrence.

Pool installation

Installed cost varies by liner (vinyl < fiberglass < concrete/gunite), shape complexity, and excavation challenge (rocky soil, high water table). The pool calculator includes decking/coping and a safety fence/cover in its default ranges; fully bare "pool only" is rare in practice.

What we update when

Corrections + feedback

If you spot a number that looks wrong for your city or your category, email contact@homeservicescost.com with the page URL and what looks off. Corrections we accept get incorporated in the next quarterly refresh, with credit to the source.