Methodology

Every cost estimator on Pricestead is built the same way:

1. Sources

Each price range comes from at least two independent, named sources (retailers, contractor pricing guides, government data) rather than a single unverified figure. Each source is stored with its URL, a literal quote of the cited figure, and the date it was checked.

2. Automatic citation checks

Before publishing, an automated check re-fetches every cited URL and confirms the quoted figure actually appears on that page, to catch invented or misattributed citations. A typical ("mid") price must also fall within the range covered by the sources for that line item.

3. Regional labor adjustment (BLS)

National price ranges are adjusted for your state using U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) occupational wage data: only the labor portion of a job's cost scales with the local wage ratio, while material costs are assumed to be closer to nationwide.

4. How often prices update

Sources older than 18 months are treated as stale and are not used for a published estimate; when we refresh a trade's data, the "Updated" date on each estimator changes accordingly.

5. Limitations

These are estimates, not quotes: real prices depend on your specific project, local labor rates, permits and material choices. Use the range shown as a starting point for a conversation with a licensed contractor, not as a guaranteed price.

Questions about a specific number? Email contact@pricestead.com.

Last updated: 2026-09-27