State Guides

Home improvement costs, state by state.

Deep guides are live for all 50 states plus DC, calibrated by BEA Regional Price Parity and BLS labor data. Each one covers permits, local code, and the building conditions specific to where you live.

Free calculator

Not sure where to start? Get a hire vs. DIY cost range for your project, calibrated to your zip.

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1. Find your state

2. Choose what you need

Pick a state above, then these open its guides.

Full guideThe complete state guide

Cost breakdownHire vs. DIY by project

PermitsWhat needs a permit

EnvironmentClimate, soil, code

All 50 states plus DC are live.

Plan smarter, anywhere

Guides that apply in any state

See all guides →

6 min readDIY or Hire: How to DecideA five-question framework for deciding whether to do a project yourself or pay a pro, before you spend a dollar.Read →5 min readDo You Actually Need a Permit?Permits feel like red tape, but skipping one can cost you at resale and after a claim. Here is how to tell when you need one.Read →6 min readQuestions to Ask Contractors When Comparing QuotesThe cheapest bid is rarely the best deal. These questions surface the real differences between two quotes that look similar on price.Read →

What you get

What's in every State Guide

Live
Cost-calibrated estimates
Every project in the calculator adjusts to your state using BEA + BLS data.
Live
Permit guide by trade
Which trades require permits, statute citations, typical fees, and homeowner-DIY rules.
Live
State + local code highlights
Electrical, plumbing, and structural codes that catch DIYers off-guard.
Live
Local building conditions
Hurricane straps in Florida. Frost-line depth in Minnesota. Expansive soil in Texas. What changes where you live.
Coming
Editorially-picked local contractors
Small operations sourced from Reddit, NextDoor, and trade forums. No lead-gen. Launching Phase 2.