Project Blueprints · Updated June 2026
The deep-dive when the calculator isn't enough.
Tiered, localized project plans with cost data, materials, tools, permits, and contractor guidance. Three tiers, $19.99 to $49.99, every one human-reviewed before delivery.
How it works
From your project to a plan you can act on
01
Tell us about your project
Your trade, zip, size, and finish level. About two minutes. On the Playbook you can also upload a contractor quote.
02
We research it, a person reviews it
We localize cost data to your zip, pull materials, tools, and permit rules, and a human reviews every Blueprint before it goes out.
03
You get your Blueprint
A clean, cited PDF built for your exact project, delivered within hours. No lead forms, no spam, no contractor kickbacks.
On the Project Playbook
Upload your contractor quote, we score it against local cost data
Our quote evaluator flags anything padded or missing and tells you where your bid lands versus a typical price in your area, then a person reviews it.
Three tiers
Pick the depth you need.
Not ready? Free checklist →TIER 1
$19.99
DIYorBuy Project Blueprint
DIY or hire, decided for your project: both cost ranges, our verdict, a skill check, a shopping list with prices, tool costs, a hidden-cost forecast, a timeline, and a printable checklist.
- Hire-it-out cost range, zip-calibrated, with our verdict
- DIY-as-much-as-legal cost range and savings
- Skill self-check: can you actually DIY this?
- Step-by-step build sequence with a day-by-day timeline
- Itemized shopping list with current price ranges
- Tool list with rent-vs-buy and local rental costs
- Hidden-cost forecast (what people forget, quantified)
- Permit quick-check for your state
- Common mistakes and 5 questions to ask any contractor
- Printable project checklist
- 3+ cited cost sources
TIER 2
$29.99
Contractor Comparison
Hire smart and see the result first: an AI render of your space, brand picks with prices, a bid-comparison worksheet, a negotiation guide, and 3 to 5 vetted local pros. No lead-gen, no kickbacks.
- Everything in the Project Blueprint
- AI rendering of your space in your chosen style
- Design and materials board (colors and finishes)
- Brand-specific product picks with models and prices
- Material allowance ranges (spot a padded bid)
- 3 to 5 editorially vetted local contractors with credentials
- Bid-comparison worksheet (3 quotes, apples to apples)
- Negotiation guide: what is negotiable and typical markups
- Photo analysis of your space
- DIY-max vs full-hire side-by-side breakdown
TIER 3
$49.99
DIYorBuy Project Playbook
The done-for-you plan: priced scope options, a risk and contingency analysis, ROI, a phased timeline, county permit filing, a contractor vetting dossier, a rebate check, and a human review of your real quote.
- Everything in Contractor Comparison
- 3 scope levels priced (basic / mid / premium)
- Hidden-risks and contingency analysis (behind the walls)
- ROI and resale analysis for your area
- Week-by-week timeline and phasing plan
- County-specific permit filing guide (forms, fees, steps)
- Contractor vetting dossier (license + insurance checks)
- Rebates and incentives check for your state
- Fillable budget worksheet + payment-schedule template
- Interactive quote evaluator tool (score any bid)
- 30-day quote review (we annotate one real quote)
- Inspection-prep and warranty tracker
Real example
See exactly what you get
A different real project for each tier. Flip the pages with the arrows, or click to read the whole report at full size.
DIYorBuy Project Blueprint · $19.99
Contractor Comparison · $29.99
DIYorBuy Project Playbook · $49.99
Every Blueprint is human-reviewed before delivery. No contractor kickbacks. No lead-gen forms. Refund if cost data is materially off.
What you get
What you get in a Project Blueprint
The Calculator gives you a mid-range cost estimate in seconds. A Blueprint gives you everything else, itemized materials with quantities, the tool list with rent-vs-buy guidance, the step-by-step build sequence, the permit requirements for your state, and the contractor hiring guide if you decide to skip the DIY route. Three tiers, $19.99 to $49.99, each one builds on the previous.
Compare tiers
| Feature | Tier 1 $19.99 Project Blueprint | MOST POPULAR Tier 2 $29.99 Contractor Comparison | Tier 3 $49.99 DIYorBuy Project Playbook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Localized hire vs. DIY cost range + verdict | |||
| Skill self-check: can you DIY this? | |||
| Step-by-step build sequence + day-by-day timeline | |||
| Itemized shopping list with price ranges | |||
| Tool list with rent vs. buy and local rental costs | |||
| Hidden-cost forecast (quantified) | |||
| Permit quick-check + common mistakes | |||
| Printable project checklist | |||
| AI rendering of your space in your style | |||
| Design and materials board | |||
| Brand-specific product picks with prices | |||
| Material allowance ranges (spot a padded bid) | |||
| Editorially vetted local contractors | |||
| Bid-comparison worksheet + negotiation guide | |||
| Photo analysis of your space | |||
| 3 priced scope levels + ROI analysis | |||
| Hidden-risks and contingency analysis | |||
| Week-by-week timeline and phasing plan | |||
| County-specific permit filing guide | |||
| Contractor vetting dossier (license + insurance) | |||
| Rebates and incentives check for your state | |||
| Fillable budget + payment schedule + warranty tracker | |||
| Interactive quote evaluator tool | |||
| 30-day quote review (we annotate a real quote) | |||
| Human review before delivery |
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Checkout is secure through Stripe. Every Blueprint is human-reviewed and delivered by email within your tier's window, 4 to 48 hours. Want to see a sample first? Email reports@diyorbuylocal.com.
Got a project we don't cover?
Our 7 public commitments
We never sell homeowner contacts · Never take contractor payments to influence rankings · Never invent sources · Never inflate estimates · Never hide AI authorship · Never hide methodology · Never silently edit historical figures.