About HomeCostLab
HomeCostLab Editorial Team
Our cost research is led by Marcus Reyes, our construction & remodeling editor, and our financing and insurance coverage is led by Diana Okafor, our home finance editor. Every cost guide and financial article is researched and written by the specialist who covers that subject. You can meet the full team or read exactly how we build our estimates on our methodology page.
Our Mission
HomeCostLab exists to help homeowners make smarter financial decisions about their homes. Whether you are planning a kitchen remodel, comparing mortgage options, or figuring out how much a new roof will cost in your state, we provide the data and tools you need to plan with confidence.
What We Offer
Cost Guides
Detailed, state-by-state cost breakdowns for the most common home improvement projects. Our data covers all 50 states with localized labor and material costs, permit requirements, and seasonal pricing trends.
Money Guides
Expert guides on home financing, insurance, mortgages, and more. We break down complex financial topics into clear, actionable advice — from comparing HELOCs to understanding homeowners insurance.
Free Calculators
Interactive calculators that help you estimate renovation costs, compare financing options, calculate mortgage payments, and more. All completely free, no sign-up required.
Our Data Sources
Accurate cost data is the foundation of everything we publish. We compile and cross-reference publicly available data to ensure reliability:
- U.S. Census Bureau — Residential construction spending reports, housing survey data, and building permit statistics.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) — Occupational employment and wage data for construction trades, Consumer Price Index for materials and services.
- State Licensing Boards — Publicly available permit requirements, licensing regulations, and contractor fee schedules for all 50 states.
Our Process
Every cost estimate on HomeCostLab is built the same transparent way:
- National baseline — For each project we start from a national baseline average — a low, typical, and high cost range drawn from publicly available construction-cost and wage data.
- State adjustment — We adjust that baseline for each state using publicly available differences in labor and material costs, so the figure reflects local pricing rather than a single national average.
- Metro adjustment — Within a state, we apply a metro-level factor for major cities, since costs in a large metro typically run higher than in smaller towns.
- Annual Updates — All cost guides are reviewed and updated at least once per year to reflect current market conditions, material prices, and labor rates.
Editorial Standards
We hold ourselves to strict editorial standards to maintain the trust of our readers:
- Editorial Independence — Our editorial team operates independently from our business team. Advertising and affiliate partnerships never influence our recommendations, rankings, or cost estimates.
- No Pay-for-Play — Companies cannot pay to be featured in our guides or to alter their placement in our recommendations. All editorial content is based on merit and data.
- Affiliate Disclosure Transparency — When we link to products or services through affiliate partnerships, we clearly disclose this relationship. Our recommendations remain the same whether or not an affiliate relationship exists.
- Corrections Policy — If we discover an error, we correct it promptly and note the update. Readers can report inaccuracies through our contact email.
Contact Us
Have questions, feedback, or found an inaccuracy? We take every reader inquiry seriously and strive to respond within 2 business days.
Email: [email protected]
HomeCostLab is based in the United States and provides home cost information for all 50 states.