Construction Cost Estimator & Calculator
Get a free, state-adjusted cost estimate in under a minute — no sign-up required.
How big is your Detached Garage?
A 1-car garage is ~240 sq ft. A 2-car garage is ~576 sq ft.
Average Cost by Project Type (2026)
National averages for a typical project of each type, based on the same regional pricing data behind the calculator above. Pick a project below for a full cost guide, or use the calculator for a state-adjusted estimate.
| Project | Typical Range |
|---|---|
| Gutter Installation | $1,020 – $2,580 |
| Garage Door Installation | $790 – $4,100 |
| Water Heater Installation | $1,220 – $5,440 |
| Epoxy Floor Coating | $1,400 – $4,680 |
| Concrete Patio | $1,850 – $5,850 |
| Storage Shed | $1,968 – $5,712 |
| Flooring Installation | $2,300 – $7,000 |
| Fire Pit / Fireplace | $1,640 – $14,800 |
| Driveway | $2,700 – $7,500 |
| Window Replacement | $3,220 – $9,240 |
| Pergola / Gazebo | $3,280 – $10,080 |
| Foundation Repair | $470 – $23,800 |
| Fence Installation | $3,560 – $10,120 |
| Outdoor Kitchen | $4,920 – $16,560 |
| HVAC Replacement | $5,160 – $13,600 |
| Wood Deck | $5,820 – $22,020 |
| Siding Installation | $8,100 – $23,400 |
| Roof Replacement | $10,240 – $26,800 |
| Bathroom Remodel | $10,680 – $28,320 |
| Landscaping | $11,500 – $58,500 |
| Detached Garage | $20,045 – $48,960 |
| Kitchen Remodel | $26,700 – $83,700 |
| Basement Finish | $28,960 – $81,600 |
| Home Addition | $46,500 – $105,600 |
| ADU / Guest House | $84,000 – $203,000 |
Ranges reflect national averages across all five U.S. regions at a typical project size. Your state, project size, and material grade all move the number — use the calculator above for a figure adjusted to your situation.
How These Estimates Are Calculated
BuildCost models pricing for each project type across five U.S. regions — Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, and West — using per-unit cost data (per square foot, linear foot, or fixture, depending on the project). When you select your state and project size, the calculator applies your region's low, mid, and high rates and splits the mid-range total into labor and material shares. It's the same underlying data used across BuildCost's project guides and state-by-state cost pages, so the numbers stay consistent wherever you see them on the site.
Construction Cost Calculator — FAQ
How accurate is this construction cost calculator?
It's built for planning-stage budgeting, not a substitute for a contractor bid. Estimates are based on 2026 regional pricing data across five U.S. regions, adjusted for your state and project size. Actual bids vary by contractor, site conditions, material grade, and local permit costs — always get at least 3 quotes before committing to a budget.
Is this cost estimator really free?
Yes. There's no sign-up, no email required, and no limit on how many estimates you can run. The calculator is supported by contractor referral partnerships, not by charging homeowners.
How is my estimate calculated?
Each project type has cost-per-unit data (per square foot, per linear foot, or per fixture, depending on the project) for five U.S. regions — Northeast, Southeast, Midwest, Southwest, and West. Your state maps to one of those regions, and the calculator multiplies the regional low/mid/high rates by your entered project size to produce a cost range, then splits it into labor and material shares.
What project types can I estimate?
The calculator covers 25 home improvement project types, from decks and detached garages to kitchen remodels, roofing, HVAC, and ADUs. See the full list with typical cost ranges below.
Does my location actually change the estimate?
Yes — regional labor rates and material costs are the single biggest driver of cost variation for most projects, often a wider swing than the difference between a basic and a premium finish. Enter your state (or zip code, on project-specific calculator pages) to get a number adjusted for your local market rather than a flat national average.