Guides
Free plain-English walk-throughs of the stuff our tools analyze. Read any of these to understand the basics — or skip straight to the $9.99 analyzer if you just want a verdict on your specific document.
May 13, 2026
How to compare roofing quotes in 2026: what to look for in each line item
A practical guide to comparing roofing quotes side by side — what fair markup looks like, which line items inflate most, how to read shingle specs, and the red flags that separate a reasonable roofing quote from a padded one.
May 13, 2026
Kitchen remodel quote in 2026: what's fair, what's inflated, and what to cut
A line-by-line guide to evaluating a kitchen remodel quote — fair pricing for cabinets, countertops, appliances, labor, and the specific line items that inflate most on residential kitchen remodels in 2026.
May 13, 2026
HVAC quote breakdown in 2026: what each line item costs and which ones get inflated
A line-by-line guide to reading an HVAC quote in 2026 — fair pricing for equipment, labor, refrigerant, electrical, and the specific line items that contractors routinely inflate on central air and heat pump installs.
May 13, 2026
Heating quote breakdown in 2026: fair pricing by system type and what to push back on
A line-by-line guide to what a fair home heating quote looks like in 2026 — pricing for furnaces, heat pumps, boilers, and ductless mini-splits, with markup ranges and the line items that routinely get inflated.
May 12, 2026
Window replacement cost in 2026: pricing by type, frame material, and glass package
A complete 2026 breakdown of window replacement costs — vinyl, fiberglass, wood, and aluminum frames, single-hung vs double-hung vs casement, double-pane vs triple-pane glass, with installed pricing per window and full-house ranges.
May 12, 2026
Plumbing cost in 2026: pricing by job type, hourly rates, and the markups that quietly inflate quotes
A complete 2026 plumbing cost breakdown — service-call rates, fixture install pricing, repipe project costs, water heater replacement, drain cleaning, and the line items most commonly inflated in plumbing quotes.
May 12, 2026
Landscaping quote breakdown (2026): fair markup, common overcharges, and pricing by service
A line-by-line guide to what a fair landscaping quote looks like in 2026 — typical pricing for lawn install, mulch, hardscape, sod, irrigation, and tree work, with markup ranges and the specific line items that get padded.
May 12, 2026
Kitchen remodel cost in 2026: complete pricing breakdown by scope
A line-by-line guide to kitchen remodel pricing in 2026 — cabinet, countertop, appliance, and labor ranges for IKEA-tier, mid-range, and high-end builds, plus the markup categories that quietly inflate kitchen quotes.
May 12, 2026
Fence installation cost in 2026: pricing by material, height, and state
A complete fair-price guide to fence installation in 2026 — wood, vinyl, aluminum, chain link, and composite, with per-linear-foot ranges by height and state, plus the markup categories that quietly inflate quotes.
May 12, 2026
Driveway paving cost in 2026: asphalt, concrete, paver, and gravel pricing
A complete 2026 cost breakdown for driveway paving — asphalt, concrete, pavers, gravel, and chip seal with per-square-foot ranges, prep work, drainage costs, and the line items most commonly inflated in driveway quotes.
May 12, 2026
Deck installation cost in 2026: pricing by material, size, and height
A line-by-line guide to deck building costs in 2026 — pressure-treated, cedar, composite, and PVC decking with per-square-foot ranges, plus the labor markup, permit costs, and railing systems that determine total price.
Apr 26, 2026
How much does HVAC replacement cost in 2026? (By tonnage, SEER, and fuel type)
A working cost breakdown of HVAC replacement in 2026 by system size, efficiency rating, and fuel type — plus the labor markup, equipment markup, and quote red flags that decide whether you're paying fair or paying $4,000 too much.
Apr 22, 2026
How Much Does a New Roof Cost in 2026? (By Material + Square Footage)
Average roof replacement cost in 2026 is $8,500-$15,000 for asphalt shingles. But your real cost depends on material, pitch, square footage, and where you live. Data by state.
Apr 15, 2026
Contractor markup ranges by trade in 2026 — what's normal and what's predatory
The actual markup ranges on labor, materials, permits, and disposal for the 8 most-quoted residential trades in 2026. Side-by-side with the numbers and line items most commonly inflated.
Apr 13, 2026
The homeowner's guide to reading a contractor quote (without getting screwed)
A line-by-line breakdown of what a fair contractor quote looks like in 2026 — the markup ranges that are normal, the line items that get padded, how to verify material prices yourself, and what a good payment schedule looks like.
Apr 9, 2026
Is my contractor quote fair? A 5-minute zip-code check for homeowners
How to spot an inflated contractor quote in five minutes without getting three more quotes. Covers the markup ranges that are normal vs. predatory, line items to watch, and a free pushback script.
Apr 9, 2026
Bathroom Remodel Cost in 2026: What You Should Actually Pay (by Zip Code)
Bathroom remodel cost 2026 — fair pricing ranges from $6,500 to $42,000 depending on zip code. See the real bathroom renovation cost breakdown and spot padded quotes.