Editorial and Fact-Checking Policy

Every cost guide on this site follows the same process. This page describes it so you can judge how much to trust a given page.

How we build a price range

1. We define the project narrowly — a specific job on a typical home — so the range means something.
2. We gather figures from multiple independent inputs: contractor interviews, published labor-rate data, material pricing from national suppliers, permit schedules from a sample of municipalities, and recent homeowner-reported costs.
3. We separate labor, materials, disposal, and permit costs so readers can see where the money goes and adjust for their situation.
4. We state the low, average, and high ends of the range and explain what moves a project between them.

Expert review

Before publication, each guide is reviewed by a tradesperson or contractor who has priced or performed that type of work. Reviewer credentials are shown on the author's page. A reviewer can send a draft back for revision; we do not publish a guide the reviewer cannot sign off on.

Dating and updates

Every published guide shows its publish date and its last-reviewed date. We re-check guides on a rolling schedule and sooner when material prices, labor rates, or code requirements change enough to move the numbers. When we revise a figure materially, we note it on the page.

Independence

Advertising and referral partnerships never influence a price range, a recommendation, or whether a topic is covered. Advertising is sold through third-party networks and is clearly labelled. Referral relationships are disclosed on the page and in our Affiliate Disclosure.

Corrections

If you believe a figure is wrong, tell us which page and which number through the contact form. We investigate every report and correct verified errors promptly.