Data Sources
Where our cost estimates come from and how often they are updated
Every estimate on FreeCostCalculator draws on publicly available or industry-standard data sets. We do not use crowd-sourced pricing, contractor self-reports, or user-submitted quotes. Our full calculation methodology is documented on the methodology page.
Primary Sources
Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)
Hourly and annual wages by occupation at the state level. Covers construction trades (roofers, painters, HVAC mechanics), childcare workers, security system installers, and other relevant occupations.
Geography: State-level · Updated: Annual (May release) · Last refreshed in model: April 2026
Craftsman National Estimator
Material unit costs and labor productivity rates by trade and material type. The industry standard for construction cost estimation.
Geography: Regional (city-level indices) · Updated: Annual · Last refreshed in model: January 2026
Craftsman Markup & Profit Guide
Remodeling contractor overhead and profit markup (1.50x multiplier on direct costs). From the same publisher as the Craftsman National Estimator.
Geography: National · Updated: Annual · Last refreshed in model: April 2026
BEA Regional Price Parities
State-level goods price indices used to localize national material costs from Craftsman data to each state.
Geography: State-level · Updated: Annual · Last refreshed in model: April 2026
BLS Producer Price Index
Inflation adjustment for construction materials between annual Craftsman releases. Covers building materials, roofing, and related categories.
Geography: National · Updated: Monthly · Last refreshed in model: April 2026
Childcare Sources
Child Care Aware of America (CCAoA) 2024 Survey
Annual childcare costs by state, age group (infant, toddler, preschool, school-age), and care setting (center-based, family-based). The most comprehensive state-level childcare pricing dataset available.
Geography: State-level · Updated: Annual · Last refreshed in model: April 2026
Insurance Sources
NAIC and State Insurance Department Rate Filings
Average annual premiums by state and coverage level for renters insurance and other consumer insurance products.
Geography: State-level · Updated: Annual · Last refreshed in model: April 2026
Home Services Sources
Industry Pricing Reports and Provider Data
Monthly and annual plan costs for home warranty and home security services, sourced from published provider pricing and industry surveys.
Geography: National / state-adjusted · Updated: Annual · Last refreshed in model: April 2026
How We Use These Sources
Each calculator combines multiple sources into a single estimate using a documented formula. Home improvement calculators use BLS wage data for labor, Craftsman rates for materials, and Craftsman markup data for overhead. Childcare, insurance, and home service calculators use category-specific survey data and provider pricing. The full calculation process is available on our methodology page.
If you believe any of our cost data is inaccurate for your area, please report an error. We maintain a public corrections log for all verified data fixes.