Methodology & Data Sources

The cost model

Every report is assembled from two catalogs: 52 routine maintenance tasks (each with a cadence and a DIY and professional cost range) and 28 major capital components (each with an expected lifespan and a replacement cost model). We filter both to the systems that apply to the specific home, then price them.

Regional cost adjustment

National baselines are split into a labor share and a materials share. The labor share is scaled by a state cost index derived from public construction-wage data; materials are priced nationally. States without wage data fall back to a hand-authored index. This is why the same repair estimates differently across states.

Climate & lifespan

Each state maps to a coarse climate zone that shifts both task timing (winterization, gutter cleaning) and component lifespan — asphalt roofs and exterior paint age faster in hot, sunny, or storm-prone regions, for example. Hazard flags (freeze, hurricane, wildfire, termite) surface the upkeep that matters most locally.

The 10-year capital plan

For each major component we estimate current age (from what you provide, or from the home's year built), compare it to the climate-adjusted expected lifespan, and place its replacement in the year it's likely due. Future costs are escalated at about 3% per year. The result is a year-by-year plan and a suggested monthly reserve.

Limitations

These are estimates, not quotes or inspections. They can't see deferred maintenance, hidden damage, or the actual condition of a system. Local pricing, permit costs, and contractor availability vary. Treat the numbers as a well-informed starting point for budgeting — then verify anything material with a professional.

Frequently asked questions

Are these quotes?

No. Every figure is a planning estimate derived from cost models, not a bid from a contractor and not the result of an inspection. Use them to budget and compare, then get quotes for specific work.

How are costs adjusted for my location?

We start from national cost baselines and multiply the labor portion by a state index derived from public wage data, so a roof in a high-wage state estimates higher than the same roof in a lower-cost state.

How do you account for inflation?

Big-ticket replacements in the 10-year plan are escalated at roughly 3% per year, so a replacement five years out is priced in future dollars, not today's.