How Our Cost Estimates Work
Get an inside look at how our cost calculator generates accurate estimates. Interact with the visualization below to understand our estimation process.
What Goes Into Your Estimate
Labor (40–60% of total cost)
Seattle trade labor rates range from $75–$125/hr for journeymen depending on specialty. We price on actual estimated hours for your specific scope, not padded fixed bids.
Materials (25–45% of total cost)
Updated weekly from our Pacific Northwest supplier network. Fluctuations in lumber, tile, or fixture pricing are captured in real time, not locked in from a 6-month-old price sheet.
Permits & Fees (3–8% of total cost)
We calculate jurisdiction-specific permit costs for Seattle, Bellevue, Kirkland, and other King County cities, including plan review and inspection fees where applicable.
Overhead & Margin (12–18%)
Project management, insurance, licensing, and business costs applied as a transparent percentage. No hidden line items.
How the Formula Calculates Your Project
- 1
Select your project type (kitchen, bathroom, flooring, painting, deck, ADU, etc.) and enter your key parameters — room dimensions, material grade, and scope.
- 2
The calculator pulls current wholesale material pricing for your selections from our Pacific Northwest supplier network.
- 3
A labor multiplier (1.0–2.4×) is applied based on project complexity — a full gut renovation scores higher than a cosmetic update.
- 4
A Seattle cost-of-living index adjustment (1.18× vs national baseline) is applied to labor to reflect current King County prevailing wage data.
- 5
Permit costs and overhead are added, producing your itemized estimate broken down by category.
Why Our Estimates Are Reliable
Our Estimation Process
Multi-Step Formula System
Our cost calculator doesn't simply use basic multiplication. Instead, it employs a sophisticated multi-stage formula system that accounts for all aspects of a project.
Ready to Get Your Project Estimate?
Use our calculator to get a detailed breakdown of your project costs. Simply select your project type and customize the parameters.
Try the Cost Calculator