The renovation you planned — not the one that happened to you.

We provide owner-side advisory for complex residential projects, and our free AI-powered tools give you the answers most homeowners don't get until it's too late

Six Free Tools

Three steps. Zero guesswork.

1

Enter Your Address

Tell us where your home is and what you're planning. Our tools use your location to pull local codes, costs, and climate data.

2

Get Instant Insights

Pick any of our free AI tools — permits, costs, scope, risk, crew, or energy. Get a detailed, personalized analysis in seconds.

3

Take Action

Use your results to hire smarter, budget better, and avoid surprises — or talk to one of our advisors for hands-on help.

ScopeWut!™

Define your project scope, get a realistic timeline with phases and materials, and keep your renovation on track.

10-14 weeks from permit approval
Estimated total project duration
Demolition & Site Prep
Remove existing finishes, protect adjacent areas
Structural & Framing
Header for island, wall modifications
Mechanical Rough-In
Plumbing, electrical, gas, HVAC
Finishes & Installation
Cabinets, countertops, tile, flooring
Pre-Construction 2-3 wks
Demo & Rough-In 3-4 wks
Finishes & Install 4-5 wks
Punch List & Inspection 1-2 wks
Pre-Con
2-3w
Demo
3-4w
Finishes
4-5w
Punch List
1-2w

CostWut!™

Get a detailed cost estimate with materials, labor, and permits across three budget tiers.

Basic
$38,500
Standard
$56,200
Premium
$89,000
Materials
Quartz countertop (40 sq ft)$3,200
Semi-custom cabinetry$8,400
Porcelain tile backsplash$1,100
Hardwood flooring (180 sq ft)$2,700
Materials Subtotal$22,800
Labor
General Contractor (15%)$7,200
Licensed Electrician$4,800
Licensed Plumber$3,600
Labor Subtotal$29,400
Permits & Fees
Building Permit$2,800
Plan Review & Inspections$1,200
Permits Subtotal$4,000
Total Estimated Cost$56,200

CrewWut!™

Find out if you need an architect and which contractors to hire.

Do You Need an Architect? Yes
Structural changes and load-bearing wall removal require stamped drawings by a licensed architect before permits can be issued.
Licensed Electrician
New circuits for island, under-cabinet lighting, and panel upgrade.
Essential
💧
Licensed Plumber
Relocate supply and drain lines for the kitchen island sink.
Essential
🔨
Framing Carpenter
Remove load-bearing wall and install LVL beam with temporary supports.
Essential
🏭
HVAC Technician
Reroute ductwork affected by wall removal and island ventilation.
Recommended

PermitWut!™

Find out what permits and zoning rules apply to your project.

Permit Sequence — In What Order
1
Before construction begins
Building Permit
Primary permit required before any work starts. Structural drawings by a licensed PE or RA typically needed.
2
Concurrent with building permit
Electrical Permit Plumbing Permit
Trade permits can be applied for alongside the building permit.
3
Before design is finalized
Zoning/Planning Review
Confirm setbacks, lot coverage, and height limits are met.
4
After installation complete
Final Inspections
Required for all trades before project close-out.

WattsWut!™

See exactly how much you're overpaying on energy.

Your Energy Savings Report
You could save $1,400–$3,200/year
🎯 Biggest opportunity: Heat pump upgrade
💡 Air Sealing & Insulation Audit $150–$350
Seal air leaks and improve insulation to cut heating and cooling waste.
💰 $300–$1,500⏱ 1–3 yrs
🌡️ Smart Thermostat $100–$180
Automated scheduling reduces usage when you're asleep or away.
💰 $150–$250✅ Rebate avail.
☀️ Solar + Battery $1,800–$2,400
Offset up to 90% of your electric bill with a 7kW system.
💰 $15K–$22K🎁 After incentives: $9K–$14K

RiskWut!™

Know your flood, fire, and wind risk before it becomes a claim.

Your home faces moderate-to-high natural disaster risk
🌊 Flood: MODERATE 🔥 Fire: LOW 🏚️ Quake: MINIMAL 🌪️ Storm: MODERATE
1
🌊 Install Sump Pump + Battery Backup
🌊 Flood 💵 $1,200–$2,500 · Low effort
2
🌪️ Reinforce Garage Door
🌪️ Storm 💵 $300–$800 · Low effort
3
🌊 Apply Waterproof Sealant to Foundation
🌊 Flood 💵 $2,000–$5,000 · Med effort
4
💰 Review Flood Insurance Coverage
🌊 Flood Could save $200–$500/yr

More than tools. A strategic partner for your renovation.

Most homeowners walk into a renovation as the least-informed person at the table. Nobody works for you. That's what we do.


Owner Representation

Strategic oversight from planning through construction completion


Scoping

Understand how long it’ll take, who you’ll need to hire, and how much the entire project could cost


Permit and Code Strategy

Navigate zoning, permits, and approvals with confidence


Energy Strategy

Optimize utility costs and integrate efficiency upgrades


Risk Mitigation

Harden your home against extreme weather and close insurance gaps


AI Design Iteration

Explore design options fast, before formal architect revisions


Why clients trust us

"I was already in the middle of a renovation when I started thinking about adding an ADU. The last thing I needed was to make a decision that would derail everything already underway. design + biz mapped out the full picture before I committed to anything — and steered me toward a solution that was faster, cheaper, and actually worked with the project I already had in progress."

— Grace, New York

“We wanted to finish the basement, and figured we’d tap into our old gas furnace to heat it. The WattsWut! tool showed us that doing so would cost more long-term than switching to a heat pump — and that making the switch during the renovation would save us thousands. Nobody else laid that out for us so simply.”

— Lee, Ohio

Line drawing of a smiling man wearing glasses.
A black and white photo of a bridge over a body of water with trees and buildings in the background.

Brandon Cavanagh

Michael Corey

MBA, Wharton

JD, Ohio State

BA, Penn

BA, Duke

Founded by a corporate strategist and a government regulatory specialist who saw the same problem: homeowners making six-figure decisions with almost no independent guidance.

Not sure where to start?

Tell us about your project and we'll point you in the right direction.