Free home renovation cost estimator
Answer a few questions about your project and get a realistic Basic, Standard, and Premium estimate in under two minutes — materials, labor, GC markup, and permit fees included. No contractor calls. No sales pitch.
How CostWut works
CostWut asks a short series of questions about your project — what you're building or renovating, the size, the finish level, and your address. It then uses local labor rates, current material costs, and typical permit fees for your jurisdiction to generate three estimates: a Basic option that gets the job done, a Standard option most homeowners pick, and a Premium option for high-end finishes and complex layouts.
What's included in your estimate
- Materials, broken out by line item where it matters most
- Labor for general contractors and licensed trades
- GC markup, overhead, and profit
- Permit fees specific to your city or town
- A realistic contingency for change orders and surprises
Who CostWut is for
CostWut is built for homeowners who want a real number before they call a contractor. Whether you're scoping a kitchen remodel, planning a basement finish, or pricing an addition, you'll walk away with a defensible budget you can take into your first contractor meeting — instead of getting blindsided by a quote that's twice what you expected.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is CostWut?
CostWut is calibrated against real project data and local pricing for your jurisdiction. It's typically within 10–15% of competitive contractor bids for standard residential scopes. It is not a replacement for a formal contractor estimate — it's a planning tool to help you walk into those conversations informed.
Is CostWut really free?
Yes. CostWut is completely free with no signup required. We send you a detailed report by email if you want one. We may add paid features later, but the core tool will always be free.
What kinds of projects does CostWut cover?
Kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels, basement finishes, additions, dormers, decks, garages, ADUs, and whole-home renovations. If your project is something more unusual, the tool will still give you a directional estimate based on the closest matching scope.
Why are the three tiers so different in price?
The biggest cost drivers are finish level, layout complexity, and whether you're moving plumbing, gas, or load-bearing walls. Basic keeps the existing layout and uses standard materials. Standard allows moderate layout changes and mid-grade finishes. Premium includes structural changes and high-end finishes.
Does CostWut work outside Columbus and Westchester?
Yes — CostWut works for any U.S. address. Pricing is most precisely tuned for Columbus, Ohio and Westchester County, New York, where Design and Biz operates directly, but the underlying cost data covers the full country.
Will CostWut share my information with contractors?
No. We don't sell your information and we don't pass leads to contractors. Your project details stay with you.
Other free tools that pair well with CostWut
Cost is just one piece of the picture. Run your project through these too: