How we estimate costs

The cost tables on Ratedeed city and trade pages are there to help you plan a budget before you ask for quotes. Last reviewed November 5, 2026.

What the ranges are

Editorial estimates maintained by Ratedeed, shown as a low, typical and high figure for common project types.
For 25 large metros the main project types (kitchen and bathroom remodels, roofing, painting, electrical, HVAC, permit and inspection fees) have city-specific figures, and cost tables appear only for those metros. Other rows in a table, such as specific repairs or cleaning, use national estimates for the trade.
Hourly rates in a page’s questions and answers are general estimates for that trade, not quotes.

What they are not

They are not prices from the businesses listed on the page, and not quotes.
They are not averages of jobs paid through Ratedeed.
On unclaimed listings we never show a business’s own price, because the business has not confirmed it (see our editorial policy).

How to use them

Use a range to sanity-check quotes, not to replace them. Prices move with scope, materials, access and the season. Get at least three written quotes, and keep any deposit small. When you hire through Ratedeed, each milestone is paid into escrow and released only when you approve the finished work (how escrow works).