How We Calculate Costs

Where our cost data comes from

Each cost figure on DIYorBuyLocal is derived from a multi-source aggregation of independent benchmarks, calibrated against quotes submitted by real homeowners.

• RSMeans construction cost benchmarks , the construction industry's standard reference for materials and labor cost data, used by professional estimators.

• Angi (formerly HomeAdvisor) Cost Guides , cost ranges sourced from a reported network of contractor partners.

• Fixr cost guides , independent cost research updated quarterly.

• HomeGuide cost data , homeowner-facing project cost guides.

• Submitted Quotes (proprietary) , anonymized cost data submitted by homeowners through our future Submit Your Quote form. As of launch, the dataset is empty; it grows from real homeowner submissions month over month.

We never rely on a single source. Every cost claim on the site is the median or range of at least three independent benchmarks, with submitted-quote data weighted higher when sample size permits.

How we calibrate for your zip

National averages don't help a homeowner in San Francisco or rural Mississippi. We adjust every cost figure using a transparent two-factor formula:

The regional multiplier is derived from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Regional Price Parity index, which measures the cost of goods and services across U.S. metros. The local labor adjustment uses Bureau of Labor Statistics occupational wage data for the relevant trade in your metropolitan statistical area.

For a composite deck in Austin, TX, the math looks like this: a $14,000 national-average composite deck × Austin RPP (~1.04) × Texas trade-labor adjustment (~1.04) = ~$15,100 mid-range estimate. Our calculator runs this calculation automatically when you enter a zip code and project size. When local data is sparse , typically rural areas with fewer submitted quotes, we widen the cost range to reflect lower confidence and disclose that on the calculator result page.

How often we refresh the data

Stale cost data is wrong cost data. Lumber prices shifted more than 30% in 2021. Skilled-trade labor rates have moved 6–8% per year since 2022. A cost guide that hasn't been touched in eighteen months is misleading at best.

• Top 50 highest-traffic pages Refreshed monthly. The state-by-trade combinations that drive most of our visitors get the most attention.

• All other state and trade pages Refreshed quarterly.

• DIY guides and methodology pages Refreshed when the underlying source data moves materially, with a full change-log entry.

• Cost figures inside delivered Project Blueprints Pulled live from our most current data at the moment of generation.

Every page on the site shows a visible 'Last updated' date above the fold. If a page hasn't been updated in the last 90 days, treat the figures as approximate and re-run the calculator for the current numbers.

What we will not do

The integrity of our cost data is the only thing that makes DIYorBuyLocal worth visiting. So we are explicit about the things we will never do.

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  We will not take payments from contractors to influence cost ranges. Cost data is editorial. Featured Listings (our paid contractor product) buy directory placement only.

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  We will not invent sources. Every citation links to a real, verifiable source, or to our own Submitted Quotes data.

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  We will not inflate quotes to drive lead-gen revenue. We do not sell leads.

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  We will not hide methodology behind a paywall. This page is free and stays free.

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  We will not edit historical figures silently. When a cost range is revised, the change is logged at the bottom of the page so the history is traceable.

Frequently asked questions

Change log

• June 2026

  Initial publication. Methodology v1.0.