Every number on GableMath traces back to a published source. This page explains the rules all our calculators share and lists the sources behind each one.
Rules every calculator follows Measure → volume or area → product units. We compute the exact geometric quantity first (square feet, cubic feet, kilowatt-hours), then convert it into what you actually buy using the manufacturer's published yield or coverage for that product.Round up, never down. You can't buy 61.1 bags. Package counts are always rounded up to whole units, and bulk orders to the increments suppliers sell (for example quarter-yards of ready-mix).Waste is visible and adjustable. Default overage follows the manufacturer or trade guidance for that material (for example 10% for bagged concrete; more for diagonal flooring layouts), and you can change it.Prices are U.S. typicals with a date. They come from current retailer listings and published supplier price sheets, are shown with the month we checked them, and can be replaced with your local price.Regional data is regional. Electricity prices, sun hours and incentives are specific to your state.Server-rendered answers use the same math. The quick-answer pages run the exact code the interactive calculator runs, so the numbers always agree.How often data is re-checked State electricity prices: refreshed automatically when the EIA publishes its monthly update. Product yields and coverage: re-checked against manufacturer data sheets at least every six months, and whenever a product is reformulated. Prices: reviewed quarterly; every page shows its check date. Incentives and net-metering rules: reviewed whenever federal or state policy changes. Sources by calculator Concrete Slab Calculator · Concrete Footing Calculator · Post Hole Concrete Calculator · Sonotube & Column Concrete Calculator · Concrete Steps Calculator
Quikrete Concrete Mix No. 1101 — technical data sheet — bag yields (80 lb = 0.60 cu ft, 60 lb = 0.45, 50 lb = 0.375, 40 lb = 0.30), water per bag, curing times; post method: 6 in of dry mix in the hole bottom, 24 h before strain · checked October 2026 Quikrete 5000 No. 1007 — technical data sheet — 5,000 psi strength curve, 10–12 h walk-on · checked October 2026 Quikrete Fast-Setting No. 1004 — technical data sheet (rev. Nov 2025) — 50 lb = 0.375 cu ft, 20–40 min set, hole 3× post width and 1/3 of post length, ~1 gal water per bag, 30 in lifts, 4 h before loading a post · checked October 2026 Quikrete Crack-Resistant No. 1006 — technical data sheet — 4–8% entrained air for freeze–thaw exposure; same yields per bag weight · checked October 2026 Sakrete High-Strength Concrete Mix — TDS — same yields per bag weight; Sakrete recommends +10% overage · checked October 2026 Home Depot & Lowe's listings — Quikrete 80 lb Concrete Mix — $5.98–$6.98 per 80-lb bag; $5.93 bulk tier at 42+ bags; 42 bags per pallet; Fast-Setting 50 lb $7.97 · checked October 2026 Ernest Maier — #3 and #4 steel rebar listings — #4 $0.51/ft and #3 $0.31/ft, sold in 20 ft lengths (2026) · checked October 2026 Published 2026 ready-mix plant price sheets (e.g. Gehring Concrete) — $146–$285 per yd³ before fees; short-load fees $50–$200 · checked October 2026 BLS Producer Price Index — ready-mix concrete (via FRED) — +2.3% Sept 2025 → Sept 2026 · checked October 2026 International Residential Code 2021 — R506 & Table R402.2 (model text) — 3.5 in minimum slab, 4 in base course, 6-mil poly vapor retarder under heated slabs (not patios, walks, driveways or garages), minimum strength and air by exposure · checked October 2026 International Residential Code 2021 — R403.1 footings & Table R403.1(1) — 12 × 6 in minimum footing, width by soil bearing, 12 in below undisturbed ground, 3 in cover over bars cast against earth; deck footings R507.3 · checked October 2026 Quikrete — How to set fence posts (how-to page) and Setting Posts project sheet — hole 3× post width, 6 in gravel base, concrete to 3–4 in below grade; structural posts 6 in below the frost line (https://www.quikrete.com/PDFs/Projects/SettingPosts.pdf) · checked October 2026 Quikrete online concrete calculator (calculator.js) — post formula: (hole area − post area) × depth ÷ 1,728 ÷ 0.375, rounded up; post/hole pairs 2/6, 3/9, 4/12, 6/18 in · checked October 2026 Sakrete Fast Setting Concrete Mix — TDS (Rev. 05/18) — post table for a 10 in hole: 12 in 1.25, 18 in 2, 24 in 2.5, 30 in 3 bags (50 lb) · checked October 2026 Sakrete All-Purpose Gravel — product page & TDS — 0.5 cu ft bag (≈3 sq ft at 2 in); 60 lb bag ≈ 0.6 cu ft · checked October 2026 Quikrete QUIK-TUBE Building Form No. 6922 — technical data sheet — Table 1 bags per 1–4 ft of 6/8/10/12 in tube; hole 2× tube diameter; 2 in gravel and a 4–6 in footing; brace at 2 ft above grade; up to 3 ft above grade · checked October 2026 Sonoco Sonotube Builder's Tube — bags per 4 ft: 8 in 4×60/3×80, 10 in 5/4, 12 in 8/6, 16 in 13/10; below grade and up to 3 ft above · checked October 2026 Home Depot Sakrete 48 in form tubes — price history (Glassit) — 8 in × 48 in $10.88, 10 in × 48 in $14.48 (Jul 13, 2026, one tracked store) · checked October 2026 International Residential Code — R311.7.5 stair treads & risers (Boise IRC handout #437) — 7¾ in maximum riser, 10 in minimum tread, 3/8 in variation; no nosing needed at 11 in treads · checked October 2026 IRC 2021 R311.3 landings at exterior doors (UpCodes) — landing ≥ door width and ≥ 36 in deep, ≤ 2% slope, up to 7¾ in below the threshold if the door does not swing over it · checked October 2026 IRC R311.7.8 handrails & R312.1 guards (Knox County IRC stair handout) — handrail 34–38 in high on flights with 4 or more risers; guards where a surface is more than 30 in above grade · checked October 2026 Board Foot Calculator · Deck Calculator · Stud Calculator · Plywood & Sheathing Calculator
USDA Forest Products Laboratory — Wood Handbook (FPL-GTR-282) — Board foot = 144 cubic inches; nominal sizing of softwood lumber · checked October 2026 National Hardwood Lumber Association — Rules for the Measurement & Inspection of Hardwood Lumber — Hardwood thickness in quarter inches (4/4, 5/4, 8/4) and surface measure · checked October 2026 Purdue Extension FNR-191 — Log scaling (Doyle, Scribner and International ¼-inch rules) — Doyle formula and International ¼-inch rule · checked October 2026 2021 International Residential Code, Table R507.6 — Deck joist spans — Maximum spans by species, size and spacing, 40 psf live + 10 psf dead, no cantilever · checked October 2026 American Wood Council — DCA 6 Prescriptive Residential Wood Deck Construction Guide — Ledger attachment, joist hangers and footing details · checked October 2026 APA — Engineered Wood Construction Guide (Form E30) — Panel span ratings, edge support for roof sheathing, 1/8 in panel spacing · checked October 2026 Blown-In Insulation Calculator · Drywall Calculator · Insulation Calculator
Owens Corning AttiCat PINK Blown-In Insulation Product Data Sheet, Pub. 10011273-L (May 2026) — 27.5 lb bag; bags per 1,000 sq ft, max coverage and installed thickness for R-13 to R-60 · checked October 2026 Greenfiber Do-It-Yourself Attic Installation Instructions, DM-6.3-39 Rev A (05-26) — 25 lb cellulose bag; coverage chart R-13 to R-60 and the subtract-what-you-have method · checked October 2026 ENERGY STAR — Recommended Home Insulation R-Values — Attic targets by climate zone · checked October 2026 USG — How much joint compound do I need? (FAQ) — About two 4.5-gal pails of ready-mixed compound per 1,000 sq ft of wallboard · checked October 2026 NIST BEES — Generic gypsum wallboard (installation assumptions from the USG handbook) — ≈138 lb of joint compound per 1,000 sq ft; 2-1/16 in paper tape · checked October 2026 2021 International Residential Code, Table R702.3.5 and Section R302.6 — Screw spacing 12 in ceilings / 16 in walls; garage separation board · checked October 2026 Owens Corning EcoTouch batt insulation specification (Pub. 10019373) — Batt thickness and sizes: R-13/15 3-1/2 in, R-21 5-1/2 in, R-19 6-1/4 in, R-30 9-1/2 in, R-38 12-1/4 in · checked October 2026 Gravel Calculator · Mulch Calculator · Topsoil & Raised Bed Soil Calculator · Sand Calculator · Paver Base Calculator
Mulch Pros — material weight & coverage (scale weights) — 2,600–2,900 lb per yd³ of stone; 1 yd³ covers 162 sq ft at 2 in and 108 at 3 in; pine straw bale ≈ 40 sq ft; single-axle ≈ 5 t, tandem up to 18 t · checked October 2026 Martin Marietta product calculator — material density table — coarse stone 1.32 t/yd³, base 1.90–1.95 t/yd³ (compacted basis), crushed-concrete base 1.47 · checked October 2026 Vulcan Materials construction aggregates calculator — screenings 110–124 lb/ft³, sand 100–110 lb/ft³, coarse 90–102 lb/ft³ by geology · checked October 2026 Penn State Center for Dirt & Gravel Roads — DSA Tech Bulletin (Apr 2025) — 8 in loose compacts to 6 in (factor 1.33); 0.04 t per sq ft; crown 1/2–3/4 in per ft · checked October 2026 American Rock Supply — how much does gravel cost (2026) — #57 $35–$55/ton, pea gravel $28–$45/ton, crusher run $24–$34/ton (material only); delivered per-ton prices · checked October 2026 Mulch Pros price list (October 22, 2026) — bag and bulk prices for mulch, soil, compost, #57, crush & run, pea gravel, sand; delivery $7/mi ($60 min) · checked October 2026 Roseville Rock Supply — calculator & reference table — DG ~3,000 lb/yd³, mulch 400–800 lb, topsoil 2,000–2,200 lb; order 5–10% extra; base materials up to 15% for compaction · checked October 2026 Roseville Rock Supply — aggregates, sands, topsoil & delivery rates — DG $106.95/yd³, concrete sand $68.95/yd³, screened topsoil $51.95/yd³; free delivery from 4 yd within 14 mi · checked October 2026 Stone Center (Ohio) material calculator — pea gravel 1.4–1.6 t/yd³; 2 in minimum for decorative pea gravel and river rock; 10% waste · checked October 2026 Nebraska DOT — Estimating Material Quantities (July 2024) — stockpiled crushed concrete 1.35 t/yd³; soil compacted in place 110 lb/ft³ · checked October 2026 The Pricer — crushed concrete cost (updated July 2026) — $9–$25 per ton at recycling yards; 1.2–1.4 t per yd³ · checked October 2026 Kokosing Materials (Ohio) tonnage calculator — factors 1.5 (sand), 1.65 (#57/#8), 1.75 (304/411/screenings) — the high end of published values · checked October 2026 Quikrete — how to build a patio — place about 5 in of compactible gravel, tamp to 4 in; extend the base at least 6 in beyond the edges · checked October 2026 Unilock Basic Tech Guide (Jan 2024) — base 6–8 in patios & walks, 6–12 in pool decks, 10–14 in driveways; 1 in bedding; compact in 2–3 in layers; edge restraints spiked into the base · checked October 2026 CPSC Public Playground Safety Handbook (Pub. 325) — Table 2 depths and fall heights; loose fill compresses at least 25%; 12 in initial fill for 9 in · checked October 2026 Mississippi State University Extension P2301 — Mulches for the Landscape — depths by mulch type (bark 2–3 in, shredded wood 2–4, pine straw 6–8, compost 2–3, rubber 2–4); rake off after 3 years · checked October 2026 MSU Extension — How to mulch — mulch 3–6 ft out from the trunk · checked October 2026 City of Rockville, MD — Say no to mulch volcanoes (May 2026) — 2–3 in deep in a flat ring; keep a 2–3 in gap at the trunk · checked October 2026 LawnStarter — mulch prices (updated Oct 5, 2026) — bulk $30–$135 per yd³; delivery $70–$140; 2 cu ft bags $3.25–$6.50 · checked October 2026 CPSC Outdoor Home Playground Safety Handbook (Pub. 324) — surfacing at least 6 ft beyond equipment in all directions · checked October 2026 Sakrete Multi-Purpose Sand technical data sheet — 60 lb bag yields about 0.6 cu ft (~7 sq ft at 1 in) — roughly 100 lb per cu ft · checked October 2026 Quikrete Sand & Gravel products data sheet (Nov 2020) — All-Purpose Sand 50/60/70 lb (56 bags per pallet at 50 lb); Play Sand 50 lb; gravel 3/8 in top size · checked October 2026 Quikrete Patio Paver Sands data sheet — spread base sand 1–2 in over the compacted base; edge restraints required · checked October 2026 International Residential Code 2021 — R506.2.2 base course — 4 in base of clean graded sand, gravel or crushed stone under slabs · checked October 2026 County Materials — Step 1 Paver Base — 1/2 cu ft bag covers ~6 sq ft at 1 in; 63 bags per pallet; (sq ft ÷ 6) × depth = bags · checked October 2026 Kellogg Supply — Quikrete HardScapes 0.5 cu ft paver base — $5.99 per 0.5 cu ft bag · checked October 2026 Paint Calculator · Exterior Paint Calculator · Deck Stain Calculator
Sherwin-Williams Paint Calculator (help text and AjaxPaintCalculator responses) — results are per coat at 400 (interior), 350 (exterior) and 250 (deck) sq ft/gal; 3×7 ft doors and 3×5 ft windows; trim area = LF × height subtracted from the wall; railings × 0.6, or × 2.0 with spindles; gables = width × peak ÷ 2 · checked October 2026 Benjamin Moore Paint Calculator (calculator code) — walls only, 350 sq ft/gal × 2 coats, 21 sq ft doors and 12 sq ft windows, gallons + quarts · checked October 2026 Sherwin-Williams Emerald Interior — PDS 101.08MAB — 350–400 sq ft/gal at 4 mils wet; drywall: self-prime with 2 coats or primer + 2 coats; drastic color change: prime · checked October 2026 Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint Interior — PDS 101.02A — 350–400 sq ft/gal; primer + 2 coats on new surfaces · checked October 2026 Sherwin-Williams Duration Home Interior — PDS — 350–400 sq ft/gal · checked October 2026 Benjamin Moore Regal Select — TDS N549 — 400–450 sq ft/gal; $84.99/gal online · checked October 2026 Benjamin Moore ben — TDS N626 — 400–450 sq ft/gal, self-priming · checked October 2026 Behr Ultra Scuff Defense Interior — product label (Home Depot-hosted PDF, rev. 09/20) — 250–400 sq ft/gal; tinted primer coat for drastic color changes · checked October 2026 Valspar Signature, Ultra & Reserve interior — product pages — Signature 200–400, Ultra 300–400, Reserve 400 sq ft/gal; fully loaded roller ≈ 9 sq ft · checked October 2026 Glidden Fundamentals & High Endurance Plus — Walmart.com listings — gallon, quart and 5-gal prices, Oct 23 2026 · checked October 2026 Clark+Kensington interior & exterior — Ace Hardware listings — interior 400–450, exterior 350–450 sq ft/gal; satin $42.99/gal, $20.99/qt, $219.99/5 gal (search snapshot Oct 2026) · checked October 2026 KILZ 2 All-Purpose Primer — Walmart.com listing — 300–400 sq ft/gal; $9.97 qt, $23.97 gal, $65 3.5 gal, $94 5 gal · checked October 2026 Zinsser Bulls Eye 1-2-3 — TDS (rev. 02/07/2025) — 400–450 sq ft/gal; practical 450 non-porous / 350 porous (assumes 15% loss) · checked October 2026 Sherwin-Williams Premium Wall & Wood Primer — PDS 108.38 — 400 sq ft/gal at 4 mils wet · checked October 2026 Sherwin-Williams online prices (homeowner product pages) — quart, gallon and 5-gal guest prices, Oct 23 2026; 5-gal pails ≈1% cheaper per gallon · checked October 2026 Painting supplies — Walmart.com listings — ScotchBlue 60 yd $7.88; 9×12 canvas drop cloth $24.97; 3-pack roller covers $6.43; tray kit $21.94; 2½ in sash brush $13.94 · checked October 2026 US EPA — Lead Renovation, Repair and Painting Program — about three-quarters of US homes built before 1978 still contain some lead-based paint · checked October 2026 Sherwin-Williams Emerald Exterior — PDS 102.26FLA — 250–300 sq ft/gal; 2 coats new, 1 coat repaint; down to 35°F · checked October 2026 Sherwin-Williams Duration Exterior — PDS 102.14B — 250–300 sq ft/gal; 2 coats bare, 1 coat repaint · checked October 2026 Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint Exterior — PDS 102.01B — 350–400 sq ft/gal, 2 coats · checked October 2026 Sherwin-Williams A-100 Exterior — PDS 102.02A — 350–400 sq ft/gal · checked October 2026 Sherwin-Williams Latitude Exterior — PDS 102.61B — 350–400 sq ft/gal; 35–120°F · checked October 2026 Benjamin Moore Aura Exterior — TDS N629 — 250–350 sq ft/gal; masonry high-build 160–265 · checked October 2026 Benjamin Moore Regal Select Exterior — TDS N400 — 250–350 sq ft/gal · checked October 2026 Benjamin Moore Element Guard — TDS 763 — 300–400 sq ft/gal; $66.99 · checked October 2026 Benjamin Moore Ultra Spec EXT — TDS N447 — 350–450 sq ft/gal; 40°F minimum · checked October 2026 Behr Ultra Exterior — product page — 250–400 sq ft/gal · checked October 2026 Valspar Duramax Exterior — product page — 300–400 sq ft/gal; 2 coats; 35–90°F · checked October 2026 Sherwin-Williams Exterior Latex Wood Primer — PDS 108.33A — 400 sq ft/gal · checked October 2026 Sherwin-Williams Loxon Concrete & Masonry Primer — PDS 115.02 — 200–320 sq ft/gal; 80 sq ft/gal on porous rough stucco · checked October 2026 Sherwin-Williams SuperDeck semi-transparent — PDS 114.80 (06/2020) — smooth 350, rough/porous 100–200 sq ft/gal · checked October 2026 Sherwin-Williams WoodScapes Solid Color — PDS 105.11 — 200–400 sq ft/gal, 2 coats · checked October 2026 Benjamin Moore Woodluxe 0691–0694 — TDS — 300–400 sq ft/gal; translucent/semi one coat, solid 1–2 · checked October 2026 Behr Premium Semi-Transparent Waterproofing Stain & Sealer No. 5077 — TDS (rev. 7/2024) — first coat 300 sq ft/gal, thinner second coat 500; two coats required · checked October 2026 Behr Premium Solid Color Waterproofing Stain & Sealer No. 5011 — TDS (rev. 1/2023) and label — 200–400 sq ft/gal (label: 2nd coat 400–800); excludes spray loss; 35–90°F · checked October 2026 Olympic Elite Semi-Transparent — TDS 802102 — 250–350 sq ft/gal; two coats recommended; 35–90°F · checked October 2026 Olympic Elite Solid Color — TDS 80301 — 350–500 sq ft/gal; two thin coats · checked October 2026 Olympic — How much stain for a deck or patio — ≤175 sq ft 1 gal; ≤550 2 gal; ≤700 3–4 gal · checked October 2026 Cabot Semi-Transparent Stain & Sealer — product page — 200–650 sq ft/gal; 1 coat only · checked October 2026 Cabot Solid Color Acrylic — product page — 200–500 sq ft/gal; 2 coats · checked October 2026 Cabot Australian Timber Oil — product page — 250–600 sq ft/gal; one coat · checked October 2026 Cabot DeckCorrect — product page and retailer specs — 75 sq ft/gal for the required two coats; 50–90°F · checked October 2026 Thompson's WaterSeal tinted wood sealers — product pages — 150–400 sq ft/gal; 1 coat; semi-transparent $28.98 at Walmart · checked October 2026 Thompson's WaterSeal Clear Wood Sealer — product page — 200–400 sq ft/gal; one light coat; $19.94 gal / $92.87 5 gal at Walmart · checked October 2026 Ready Seal — TDS (rev. 05/12/2026) and 2026 application instructions — practical 125–175 sq ft/gal; cedar/treated pine deck 150, rough cedar 125; ≤12% wood moisture · checked October 2026 Defy Extreme & Defy Solid — product pages — Extreme 100–150 sq ft/gal (100 for 2 coats); Solid 200–300 per coat; $59.99 / $66.96 gal · checked October 2026 Valspar One Coat Semi-Transparent Stain — product page — 150–400 sq ft/gal; 1 coat; 50–90°F · checked October 2026 International Residential Code — R311.7.5 stair treads & risers (Boise IRC handout) — 7¾ in maximum riser, 10 in minimum tread · checked October 2026 Flooring Calculator · Carpet Calculator · Baseboard Calculator
LifeProof Plank & Tile Installation Instructions (May 1, 2023) — order ~10% extra; 1/4 in gap; no acclimation; T-molding past 100 ft; stairs void the warranty; only LifeProof underlayment · checked October 2026 LifeProof Chevron & Herringbone Installation Instructions (Sept 25, 2023) — order 15–20% extra; only the dedicated herringbone planks may be laid in herringbone · checked October 2026 Pergo Outlast+ installation instructions (Aug 2024) and Pergo Pro (Jan 2026) — 3/8 in gap; T-molding in rooms ≥ 50 ft and doorways < 32 in; 6 mil poly with 8 in overlaps on concrete; 48 h acclimation · checked October 2026 Pergo Outlast+ Installation Essentials (rev. 2018, legacy) — 10% standard and 15% diagonal overage (not repeated in the 2024 sheet) · checked October 2026 COREtec WPC 5G installation guidelines (Shaw, rev. Sept 30, 2026) — 1/4 in gap under 2,500 sq ft, 1/2 in above; no acclimation; 8 lb / 90% RH; no plastic over wood subfloors · checked October 2026 Bruce 3/4 in Solid Hardwood Installation Instructions (AHF, 2021) — 5% cutting and grading allowance (10% diagonal); 3/4 in expansion; moisture-content acclimation · checked October 2026 Bruce Engineered Hardwood Installation Instructions (AHF, 2023) — 5% / 10% diagonal; 1/4 in gap fastened, 1/2 in floating; acclimation not necessary · checked October 2026 Floor & Decor NuCore product pages (live) — box prices and plank sizes, e.g. Cedar Point $58.91 per 23.66 sq ft box · checked October 2026 Home Depot product titles via the Arbor (superarbor.io) mirror — carton sizes: LifeProof 20.06 / 25.0 / 19.0, Pergo 19.63 / 16.12, TrafficMaster 23.91 / 15.94, Bruce 20 / 22 / 23.5; trim medians · checked October 2026 COREtec Originals product page — 21.27 sq ft per carton; $11.69/sq ft manufacturer estimate · checked October 2026 Dealer listings: Floorzz (COREtec Plus), Floor City (Shaw Paragon), Flooring Inc (RevWood Plus) — Shaw Paragon 7" Plus 18.91 sq ft, attached pad, $109.49; COREtec Plus 38.03 sq ft, $239.21; RevWood Elderwood 16.93 sq ft, $69.24 · checked October 2026 Floor & Decor underlayment and molding pages (live) — EZ Foam 100 sq ft $40.49; 15 lb felt 432 sq ft $32.97; 94 in quarter round $3.35 · checked October 2026 Home Depot trim listings (cached 2026) and Lowe's hardwood T-moulding sheet — vinyl/laminate trims 94 in (T-molding ~$34.98, reducer ~$42.78, stair nose ~$59.98); hardwood T-moulding 78 in · checked October 2026 This Old House — cost to install vinyl plank flooring (June 2026) — labor $3–$10 per sq ft; removal about $1–$2 per sq ft · checked October 2026 This Old House — hardwood flooring cost (June 2026) — hardwood labor $3–$8 per sq ft · checked October 2026 This Old House — laminate installation cost (Apr 2026); RealCostIQ (Sep 2026) — laminate labor $4–$8 per sq ft (This Old House); $1–$2 floating (RealCostIQ) · checked October 2026 Fixr — hardwood floor installation cost (Jan 2025) — new hardwood stair treads $100–$200 per step installed · checked October 2026 Shaw Floors — carpet planning & installation — most carpet is made in 12 ft rolls; 15 ft rolls on some styles · checked October 2026 CRI 105 Standard for Installation of Residential Carpet (2019) — seam placement, same pile direction, 7/16 in max cushion, tack strip rules, 24 h acclimation, stair nosing · checked October 2026 Shaw Pet Perfect+ residential carpet warranty (rev. Sept 2026) — recommended pad no thicker than 1/2 in · checked October 2026 Fixr — cost to carpet stairs (Jan 2025) — about 54 sq ft for 12 straight steps; $36–$65 per step installed · checked October 2026 This Old House — carpet installation cost (June 2026) — labor $0.50–$1 per sq ft; pad $0.75–$2; stairs $11–$26 extra per step; removal $2–$3 · checked October 2026 Caldwell Carpet — memory foam rebond pad — $0.77 per sq ft full-roll price · checked October 2026 Lowe's Moulding Installation Guide — Baseboard — nail into studs every 16–18 in; cope or miter inside corners, miter outside corners, scarf-join long walls · checked October 2026 DAP Alex Plus technical bulletin — 10.1 fl oz cartridge = 55 linear ft at a 3/16 in bead · checked October 2026 Sherwin-Williams Emerald Interior — product data and prices — 350–400 sq ft per gallon per coat; semi-gloss $24.59 per quart, $63.89 per gallon (Oct 2026) · checked October 2026 Angi — baseboard installation cost (2026) — MDF $1.00–$1.40 per linear ft; labor $5–$7.75 per linear ft · checked October 2026 Tile Calculator · Thinset Calculator · Grout Calculator · Backer Board Calculator
Floor & Decor carton specs — Venato 12×24, Napoli 24×48, Bright White Ice 3×6 — 12×24 = 11.70 × 23.50 in, 7 per box; 24×48 = 23.50 × 47.08 in, 3 per box; 3×6 subway 80 per box · checked October 2026 Floors Center carton specs — Daltile 12×12, 24×24, 6×24, 4×4 and MSI 4×12 — 12×12 = 11.81 in, 17 per box; 24×24 = 23.62 in, 4 per box; 6×24 planks 11 = 10.23 sq ft; 4¼ wall tile 100 = 12.5 sq ft; MSI 4×12 15 = 4.85 sq ft · checked October 2026 Floor & Decor tile category pricing (Ypsilanti, MI store) — 12×24 porcelain median $2.49/sq ft, 24×48 $3.99, porcelain overall $2.99, ceramic $0.99, mosaic sheets $14.99 · checked October 2026 Daltile FAQ and MSI FAQ — overage and attic stock — buy about 10% extra as attic stock; MSI: 10–15% by pattern plus 5–10% for future repairs · checked October 2026 Custom Building Products — VersaBond family sell sheet SS215 (9/26R) and TDS-119 — VersaBond 85–95 sq ft at 1/4 in, 60–67 at 1/4×3/8, U-notch 34–38 (45°) / 42–47 (30°); VersaBond LHT, LITE (35 lb = 50 lb) · checked October 2026 Custom grout data — Polyblend Plus TDS-360, Grout Card CC25, Prism SS160, Fusion Pro TDS-242 — Polyblend Plus 12×12×3/8 at 1/8 in: 348 sq ft per 25 lb; Prism 17 lb = 25 lb coverage; Fusion Pro 199 sq ft/gal at 12×12×3/8, 1/8 in · checked October 2026 MAPEI TDS — Keracolor S (Feb 2026), Keracolor U, Ultracolor Plus FA (Aug 2026), Kerapoxy CQ (Apr 2026) — Coverage tables used to calibrate the grout factor per product; Kerapoxy CQ joints 1/16–3/8 in only · checked October 2026 James Hardie — installing HardieBacker on floors and walls — fasteners every 8 in over the whole floor sheet, 1/4 in square-notch thinset under floor board, 1/8 in gaps, 2 in mesh tape; studs max 16 in o.c. · checked October 2026 Custom RedGard — TDS-104 — waterproofing 55 sq ft/gal (two coats at 110), IAPMO pan liner 40, crack prevention 100; 1 and 3.5 gal pails · checked October 2026 Celebration Hardware — RedGard LQWAF1 1-gal — $74.99 per 1-gal pail (regular price, Oct 2026) · checked October 2026 Floor & Decor backer board, screws and mesh tape listings — Durock 3×5 $12.50–$21.00, HardieBacker $13.40 / $17.50; 1-1/4 in screws 750 ct $38.44, 185 ct $13.87; 2 in tape 300 ft $15.99 · checked October 2026 homewyse — cost to install tile floor, wall tile and backsplash (May 2026) — floor $16.38–$20.21, walls $11.48–$21.27, backsplash $28.31–$49.78 per sq ft installed · checked October 2026 Fixr — shower tiling cost guide (updated Aug 29, 2025) — porcelain shower walls $17–$46/sq ft installed; diagonal and herringbone +20%, running bond +10–15%; tear-out $2–$5/sq ft · checked October 2026 Custom ProLite (TDS-114) and MegaLite (TDS-112) coverage tables — 30-lb bag = 50-lb coverage: 90–100 / 63–70 / 45–50 sq ft; 1/2 in square notch no longer recommended · checked October 2026 Custom SimpleSet Pre-Mixed Thin-Set (TDS-182) — 40–44 sq ft/gal with a 3/16 V-notch, 20–25 at 1/4 in; tile up to 8×8; charts exclude back-buttering · checked October 2026 Custom Building Products — FAQ (large-format tile) — tiles with one side over 15 in need a large-and-heavy-tile mortar applied thicker · checked October 2026 MAPEI TDS — Ultraflex 2 (May 2026), Ultraflex LFT (Aug 2026), Ultraflex LHT SG, Keraflex Super (Sep 2026) — Ultraflex 2 75–90 / 55–65; LFT 85–95 / 65–75 / 40–50 / U 35–40; LHT SG 38–45 at 1/2 in; Keraflex Super is a 44-lb bag · checked October 2026 LATICRETE 253 Gold (DS-167.6, DS-296), 254 Platinum (DS-677), MultiMax Lite (DS-078.6) — 253 Gold 80–95 / 60–70 sq ft per 50 lb; 5.5 qt water; wet density 12.6 lb/gal; 254 Platinum 35–40 at 1/2 in · checked October 2026 TEC 3N1 Performance Mortar — product data sheet R0826 — 30-lb bag: 80–90 / 55–65 sq ft; 3/8 in slant notch 40–50; 3/4 in rounded notch 30–40 · checked October 2026 Floor & Decor mortar listings and Do it Best (VersaBond $19.99, ProLite $36.99) — Ultraflex 2 $29.65, Ultraflex LFT $29.99, LHT SG $24.99, Keraflex Super $36.99, 253 Gold $24.56, 254 Platinum $51.43, MultiMax Lite $48.99; basic 50-lb thinsets $13.13–$14.30 (Oct 23, 2026) · checked October 2026 LATICRETE grout coverage (DS-254.3), SPECTRALOCK PRO (DS-681) and the 10% grout rule — PERMACOLOR 3×6×1/4 at 1/16 in: 403 sq ft per 25 lb; SPECTRALOCK PRO full unit ≈ 0.8 gal; order 10% extra · checked October 2026 Floor & Decor — MAPEI Flexcolor CQ product article — about 100 sq ft per gallon with 12×12×3/8 tile and a 1/4 in joint; 1- and 2-gal pails · checked October 2026 Floor & Decor grout listings — Keracolor S 25 lb $14.48; Keracolor U 10 lb $13.48 / 25 lb $24.61; Ultracolor Plus FA $20.54 / $30.97; PERMACOLOR $20.99 / $33.37; Flexcolor CQ $54.98; Kerapoxy CQ $120; SPECTRALOCK PRO A/B $104 + Part C $19.99 · checked October 2026 USG Durock cement board installation guide CB321 (rev. 5-24) — 8 in o.c. on floors and walls (6 in on ceilings); walls need 1/2 or 5/8 in board; 1/4 in for floors · checked October 2026 Johns Manville GoBoard sizes and fasteners — 3×5 and 4×8 boards; GoBoard Fasteners every 8 in, packs of 700 · checked October 2026 wedi Illustrated Price List, August 2026 — 1 screw + washer per sq ft; 36×60 panel $67.91 list ($56.31 at F&D), 48×96 $149.56; niches 12×12 / 12×24 · checked October 2026 Fence Calculator · Chain Link Fence Calculator · Fence Cost Calculator
The Home Depot — Do It Yourself Fence Installation sheet — posts ≤ 8 ft on center, 10 in holes, 4 in gravel, rails ≤ 24 in apart, 6 fasteners per picket, pickets 2 in off the ground · checked October 2026 Quikrete Fast-Setting Concrete Mix No. 1004 — data sheet (rev. Nov 2025) — 50 lb = 0.375 cu ft; hole 3× post width; fill to 3–4 in below grade; ~1 gal water per bag; lifts ≤ 30 in; 4 h before load · checked October 2026 Quikrete Concrete Mix No. 1101 — data sheet (rev. Oct 2022) — 80 lb = 0.60 cu ft; 6–9 pt water per bag; 24 h before strain · checked October 2026 Quikrete — Setting Posts in Concrete (how-to) — bury 1/3 of the post (= half the above-ground height) plus 6 in of gravel · checked October 2026 Western Red Cedar Lumber Association — fence specifications — 4×4 dresses to 3-9/16 in, 6×6 to 5-1/2 in · checked October 2026 Master Halco — Western Red Cedar fence boards — actual picket widths 3-1/2, 5-1/2 and 7-1/2 in · checked October 2026 Catalyst Fence — Privacy Vinyl Fence Kit instructions (rev. 1.25) — post centers = panel + post width; 10 in holes for 5×5; 6 in gravel; 2 in ground clearance · checked October 2026 Catalyst Fence — Newbury vinyl SKU pages (rev. 6/2026) — 6 and 8 ft panels on 5×5 posts; 97 in post centers (Premium LX); 108 in posts for 6×8 · checked October 2026 Catalyst Fence — Vinyl privacy & picket gate instructions — vinyl gate posts need a stiffener insert, sold separately · checked October 2026 CPSC — Safety Barrier Guidelines for Residential Pools (Pub. 362) — 48 in minimum height, 1-3/4 in / 4 in openings, 1-1/4 in chain-link mesh, 2 in bottom gap over grass · checked October 2026 Home Depot & Lowe's listings — PT posts, pickets and 6×8 panels (2026 snapshots) — 4×4×8 $11.18, 4×4×10 $19.68, 6×6×8 $37.68, pickets $2.28 PT / $3.96 cedar, PT panel $76.98 · checked October 2026 Home Depot — Veranda vinyl fence panels and posts (2026 snapshots) — 6×8 white privacy panel $119.47 typical; 5×5 posts $35.40–$62.99 · checked October 2026 Home Depot price history — Quikrete 50 lb Fast-Setting (Glassit tracker) — $7.97 per bag (Aug 2026); 80 lb Concrete Mix $6.47 (Sept 2026) · checked October 2026 Sakrete All-Purpose Gravel / Mulch Pros price list — 0.5 cu ft per bag; $6.95 per 0.5 cu ft bag (Oct 2026) · checked October 2026 Thompson's WaterSeal — Semi-Transparent Wood Sealer — 150–400 sq ft/gal; wait 30 days on new pressure-treated wood · checked October 2026 Ready Seal — FAQ — new pressure-treated wood: 1 month minimum, 2–3 months recommended before staining · checked October 2026 Minnesota Rules 1303.1600 — footing depth for frost protection — 60 in in Zone I (north), 42 in in Zone II (south) · checked October 2026 Modernize — Fence installation cost (updated Aug 12 2026) — installed $/ft by material, labor $5–15/ft, 150-ft totals · checked October 2026 Fixr — Wood, picket, chain-link and vinyl fence cost guides (Jan 2025) — $/ft by style and species, gates, removal $2–5/ft · checked October 2026 Merchants Metals — DIY Chain Link Planner (2017) — 50 ft rolls, 10 ft 6 in top rail, post sizes, fittings per terminal, ties per foot · checked October 2026 Master Halco — Chain Link Installation Guide — tension bands by height (3/3/3/4/5), hole sizes, gate openings, hinge bolts, 15 in per 100 ft slope rule · checked October 2026 Lowe's — Chain Link Fence Installation Tips — call 811; line posts ≤ 10 ft on center; tension-wire clips every 2 ft · checked October 2026 Chain-link framework shelf prices (Valley Wide Co-op, Arbor, Cheshire Horse, Hills Flat Lumber) — terminal post 2-3/8 × 8 ft $25.99; line post 96 in $25.99; top rail $16.99; 4×50 ft fabric $219.99 (checked Oct 23 2026) · checked October 2026 BLS Producer Price Indexes via FRED — Sept 2025 → Sept 2026: softwood lumber +14.2%, fabricated wire +11.2%, aluminum +26.3%, plastic +4.6% · checked October 2026 Homewyse — Cost to install a fence (May 2026) — $33.48–$53.87 per lf national; vinyl 6 ft $58.70–$82.35; chain link 6 ft $29.08–$44.84; staining $1.33–$2.71/sq ft · checked October 2026 Fixr — Aluminum fence cost (Aug 2025) — 100 ft of 4-ft spear top: $3,000–$8,500, avg $7,150 · checked October 2026 Bob Vila — Fence installation cost (Apr 2024) — wood walk-through gate $150–$250 · checked October 2026 Roofing Calculator · Roof Pitch Calculator · Metal Roofing Calculator
GAF Timberline HDZ product specifications (archived 2026-09-28) — 64 pieces, 3 bundles and 256 nails per square; 5⅝-in exposure; 39⅜ × 13¼ in (→ 98.4 sq ft per square) · checked October 2026 Owens Corning TruDefinition Duration — product data — 3 bundles = 98.4 sq ft; 64 shingles per square; 160 mph with OC starter at eaves and rakes · checked October 2026 CertainTeed Roofing Selection Guide (rev. 2606) — Landmark & Landmark PRO 3 bundles/sq; NorthGate & Belmont 4; Shadow Ridge 30 lin ft · checked October 2026 CertainTeed Shingle Applicator's Manual, 17th ed. (Sept 2026) — slope and hip/valley factors, waste by roof size (Table 4), ventilation worked example · checked October 2026 CertainTeed Landmark technical data sheet — about 217–229 lb per square · checked October 2026 IKO Cambridge, Leading Edge Plus and Hip & Ridge 12 product pages — 33⅓ sq ft per bundle, 60 per square; starter 109 lin ft; ridge cap 29.53 lin ft · checked October 2026 Atlas Pinnacle Pristine data sheet — 42 × 14 in, 6-in exposure, 18–20 shingles per bundle · checked October 2026 2024 International Residential Code, Chapter 9 (Maryland edition, UpCodes) — R905.1.2 ice barrier 24 in inside the wall (36 in along slope ≥ 8:12); R905.2.2 slope; R905.2.6 four nails; R905.2.8.5 drip edge · checked October 2026 2024 IRC R806.2 attic ventilation (UpCodes) — 1/150 net free area (1/300 when both conditions are met) · checked October 2026 Fine Homebuilding — Ice barriers explained — worked examples: 6/12 with 12-in overhang and 2×6 wall → 47 in up the slope · checked October 2026 Owens Corning ProArmor synthetic underlayment — 42 in × 286 ft, 929 sq ft net with 3-in laps · checked October 2026 Owens Corning Oakridge installation instructions (2026) — most eaves need 2 courses of self-adhered membrane; over 21 in per ft, 6 nails and roof cement per shingle · checked October 2026 Air Vent (Gibraltar) ventilation catalog — ShingleVent II 18 sq in per ft; soffit 9 sq in per ft; 16×8 vent 56 sq in · checked October 2026 Grip-Rite coil roofing nails — 7,200 nails per box (1¼ in) · checked October 2026 McCoy's roofing shingles, underlayment and flashing (San Marcos, TX) — shelf and 39+ bundle prices, starter, ridge cap, underlayment, ice & water, drip edge, coil and 5-lb hand nails — 2026-10-23 · checked October 2026 Gorilla Roofing — 2026 roof replacement cost guide — $400–700 per square architectural, $350–550 3-tab (one-layer tear-off included); permits $150–500 · checked October 2026 EstimationPro — roofing labor cost per square (updated Sept 2026) — 8/12 and steeper +$50–100 per square; two-layer tear-off $125–175 · checked October 2026 IKO — what size dumpster for a roofing job — new shingles ≈ 190 lb (3-tab) and under 230 lb (laminate) per square; tear-off ≈ 200 / 240 / 300 lb per square · checked October 2026 Trash Daddy dumpster prices — $395–875 per rental; 10/15/20/30-yd include about 1/1.5/2/3 tons; overage $65–185 per ton · checked October 2026 Fabral Grandrib 3 product specification — 36-in coverage, 2½:12 minimum, 80 screws per square; cut to length up to 40 ft · checked October 2026 Best Buy Metals Tuff-Rib and 5V crimp — 36-in coverage cut to the inch 3–45 ft; 29 ga 0.70 lb/sq ft; 5V 24-in coverage, 3:12 minimum · checked October 2026 McCoy's metal roofing (Metal Sales StrongPanel, 5V, ridge cap, closures) — 8–20 ft panel prices, 10½-ft ridge cap $36.99, closure strips $2.19–2.79 — 2026-10-23 · checked October 2026 Electricity Cost Calculator · Electricity Rates by State · Space Heater Cost Calculator · Air Conditioner Cost Calculator · EV Charging Cost Calculator · Refrigerator Cost Calculator · Clothes Dryer Cost Calculator · Dehumidifier Cost Calculator · Pool Pump Cost Calculator · Hot Tub Cost Calculator
EIA Electric Power Monthly, Tables 5.6.A & 5.6.B — residential price by state (August 2026) — latest month and Jan–Aug 2026 year-to-date average for every state; preliminary, refreshed monthly · checked October 2026 EIA Electric Power Monthly technical notes — average price = revenue ÷ sales, including fixed customer charges, fuel adjustments and surcharges · checked October 2026 EIA-861M sales and revenue by state — 2025 average household use and bill per state (U.S. 878 kWh, $151.88 a month) · checked October 2026 ENERGY STAR certified TVs, displays, computers, ceiling fans, dishwashers, water heaters, EV chargers — on-mode watts by screen size, typical annual energy, idle watts (SoQL averages) · checked October 2026 ENERGY STAR certified refrigerators and freezers (datasets) — average kWh/yr by configuration; freezers from dataset 8t9c-g3tn · checked October 2026 ENERGY STAR certified room air conditioners (dataset) — average CEER by size for window units; 750 hours/yr label basis · checked October 2026 ENERGY STAR certified clothes dryers (dataset) — vented electric 607 kWh/yr (CEF 3.94); ventless 378 kWh/yr; 283 cycles/yr DOE basis · checked October 2026 Lasko CC13700 ceramic console space heater — 1,500 W high / 900 W low, 7.5–12.5 A, $49.99 · checked October 2026 Sony Interactive Entertainment — PS5 ecodesign power data — 197–218 W during gameplay; PS5 Pro 215 W · checked October 2026 Virginia Cooperative Extension BSE-301 (DOE typical wattage table) — nameplate ranges for small appliances (legacy table; used only where no newer data exist) · checked October 2026 Federal Register 2022-22036 — EnergyGuide label cost figures — labels since Jan 10, 2023 assume 14¢/kWh · checked October 2026 P3 International Kill A Watt P4400 — plug-in meter up to 15 A / 1,875 VA for measuring real kWh · checked October 2026 EIA Electric Power Annual 2025, Table 2.10 — average price by state — 2025 final residential average (U.S. 17.23¢/kWh) · checked October 2026 EIA residential natural gas prices by state — 2025 annual $/Mcf (2024 where 2025 is withheld), ÷ 10.36 therms per Mcf · checked October 2026 EIA Heating Oil and Propane Update — residential propane and heating oil by state, week of Oct 19, 2026, excluding taxes · checked October 2026 NOAA Climate Prediction Center — population-weighted state degree days — monthly normal heating and cooling degree days by state (base 65°F) · checked October 2026 EIA Energy Explained — British thermal units — 1 kWh = 3,412 Btu; therm 100,000; propane 91,452 Btu/gal; heating oil 138,500 Btu/gal · checked October 2026 ENERGY STAR certified central AC & heat pumps (dataset) — 3-ton split average SEER2 17.06 / EER2 11.49 / HSPF2 8.44; 12k mini-split SEER2 22.81 · checked October 2026 10 CFR 430.32 — federal energy conservation standards (eCFR) — room AC CEER minimums from 2026-05-26; SEER2 regions; dehumidifier IEF; water heater UEF · checked October 2026 fueleconomy.gov (EPA/DOE) — 2026 electric vehicles — kWh per 100 miles (wall-to-wheels) and range for each model · checked October 2026 DOE Alternative Fuels Data Center — charging levels — Level 1 ≈ 1.9 kW (~5 mi/h); Level 2 2.9–19.2 kW, residential typically 7.2 kW (~25 mi/h) · checked October 2026 EIA Gasoline and Diesel Fuel Update — regular gasoline, week of Oct 19, 2026: U.S. $4.284/gal; state or regional series · checked October 2026 EPA Automotive Trends Report — highlights — model-year 2024 new vehicles averaged a record 27.2 mpg real-world · checked October 2026 PG&E, SCE and FPL residential time-of-use rate pages — EV2-A off-peak 23¢; SCE TOU-D-4-9PM off-peak 32–33¢; FPL off-peak about 9¢ · checked October 2026 IRS — clean vehicle (30D) and charger (30C) credits — 30D ended for vehicles acquired after Sept 30, 2025; 30C for property placed in service after June 30, 2026 · checked October 2026 ENERGY STAR certified clothes washers (dataset) — front load 102 kWh/yr, top load 165 kWh/yr incl. water heating, 295 cycles/yr · checked October 2026 ENERGY STAR certified dehumidifiers (dataset) and capacity-rating guide — portable >30 pints: 44.4 pints/day, IEF 2.02, 460 kWh/yr; 2019 test at 65°F re-rated capacities · checked October 2026 ENERGY STAR pool pumps (product page and dataset) — half speed uses one-eighth the energy; in-ground VS pumps 109 W low / 787 W high; ~$50/yr savings · checked October 2026 California Energy Commission — Title 20 portable electric spa standard (Docket 18-AAER-02) — max standby 3.75·V^(2/3)+40 W (standard spas), 7·V^(2/3) (inflatable), normalized to a 37°F water–air difference · checked October 2026 Solar Panel Calculator · Solar Payback Calculator
NLR (formerly NREL) PVWatts v8 — 14% losses, 20° tilt, south; kWh per kW DC by state city · checked October 2026 EU JRC PVGIS v5.3 (ERA5) — Fallback yields for states PVWatts was not fetched for (low confidence) · checked October 2026 EnergySage — best solar panels ranking — Top residential panels 430–460 W, 22–23% efficient · checked October 2026 Berkeley Lab — U.S. Distributed Solar and Storage Data, 2026 update — $3.6/W host-owned median; 7.7 kW median; roof coverage 22–31% · checked October 2026 EIA-861 2025 (average monthly bill and use) — U.S. average 874 kWh/month; state averages · checked October 2026 EIA Electric Power Monthly, Table 5.6.B — Residential price by state, Jan–Aug 2026 · checked October 2026 EnergySage H1 2026 marketplace report (via Mercom) — $2.57/W median; batteries $1,130/kWh · checked October 2026 EnergySage — solar rebates and incentives by state — State credits, rebates and export rules · checked October 2026 NLR PV Fleet Performance study (OSTI 1864619) — Degradation 0.5%/yr default; 0.88%/yr hot climates · checked October 2026 IRS — FAQs on the modification of sections 25C, 25D (FS-2025-05) — 25D credit is 0% for solar whose installation is completed after Dec 31, 2025 · checked October 2026 Public Law 119-21 (2025), secs. 70506 and 70513 — 25D termination; 48E placed-in-service deadline Dec 31, 2027 for solar · checked October 2026 IRS Notice 2025-42 (beginning of construction) — 48E begin-construction cutoff July 4, 2026 · checked October 2026 EnergySage — tax changes and leased solar — 48E credit for lease/PPA owners · checked October 2026 EIA Monthly Energy Review, Table 9.8 — Residential price CAGR 3.05% (2005–2025), 5.55% (2020–2025) · checked October 2026 EnergySage — solar panel cost by state — State $/W, October 2026 · checked October 2026 NRG Clean Power — NEM 3.0 export value summary — California production-weighted export credit ~4.1¢/kWh · checked October 2026 EnergySage — energy storage cost — Battery $/kWh by state, H1 2026 · checked October 2026 Enphase IQ Battery 5P data sheet — 90% round-trip efficiency · checked October 2026 Limits These are planning estimates. Real jobs vary with site conditions, product batches, workmanship and local code. Confirm structural, electrical and code questions with a licensed professional or your building department.
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