Home improvement resources

Guides, checklists, and tools to help you plan your next home improvement project. Cost guides, financing options, contractor tips, and more.

Everything you need to plan your project

Starting a home improvement project without doing your homework is a fast way to overpay or hire the wrong contractor. These guides cover the most important topics homeowners need to understand before spending a dollar.

Every guide is written to be practical and honest. No fluff, no sales pitches, just the information you need to make a good decision.

Cost calculators

Instant project estimates based on 2026 pricing data. Enter your project details and get a cost range in under a minute, no sign-up required.

Fence cost calculator

Estimate your fencing project cost based on material (pine, cedar, vinyl, composite, chain link), fence length, height, gates, and your location. Includes cost breakdown, per-linear-foot pricing, and regional adjustments.

Driveway cost calculator

Calculate what a new concrete driveway will cost. Choose your finish type (standard, stamped, colored, exposed aggregate), driveway size, and concrete thickness to see a detailed estimate with material and labor breakdown.

Insulation cost calculator

More than a cost calculator. Enter your zip code to get R-value recommendations for your climate zone, see how much insulation you need, estimate annual energy savings, and calculate your Inflation Reduction Act tax credit.

Cost and budgeting

Home improvement cost guide

Realistic price ranges for insulation, concrete, fencing, and dozens of specific project types. Includes cost breakdowns by material, tips for reading contractor quotes, hidden costs to watch for, and regional pricing differences. Start here if your first question is “how much will this cost?”

Home improvement financing options

Not every project fits in the checking account. This guide compares personal loans, home equity loans, HELOCs, credit cards, contractor financing, and government programs like the Inflation Reduction Act tax credits. Includes pros, cons, and typical interest rates for each option so you can pick the right way to pay.

Hiring a contractor

How to get contractor quotes

A step-by-step process for getting quotes that actually help you make a decision. Covers what to have ready before you call, what a professional quote should include, how to compare bids apples-to-apples, red flags to watch for, and negotiation tips that work. If you have never hired a contractor before, start here.

How to verify a contractor’s license

Before you hire anyone, spend five minutes verifying their license. This guide includes step-by-step lookup instructions for all 9 states we serve (Utah, Idaho, Colorado, Oregon, North Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Arizona, and Ohio), plus what to check beyond the license, like insurance, references, and complaint history.

Service-specific guides

Looking for detailed information about a specific type of project? Our service pages include cost guides, material comparisons, hiring guides, and local contractor matching.

Insulation

Concrete

Fencing

Ready to start?

If you have done your research and you are ready to talk to contractors, we can help. Describe your project once, get matched with up to three pros in your area, and compare quotes on your terms.

Get free quotes for your project

Get free quotes