You should be able to tell where a number came from and whether it applies to your project. This page explains how we handle prices, calculations, and sources in Homestria guides.
Prices need context
A retailer’s estimate, a DIY budget, and a contractor’s quote can cover very different work. We identify the kind of figure we are using and link to the source near the relevant passage. A date marked “checked” tells you when we reviewed that source; it does not mean the source collected new prices that day.
Published prices are a starting point. Your location, material choice, and the condition of the home can change the bill. Check what is included before comparing two totals.
Examples show the working
Our sample budgets are there to explain a method. We show measurements, units, assumptions, and rounding so you can replace them with your own figures. An allowance labeled “illustrative” is a made-up amount for that example, not a price we obtained from a contractor.
AI, photographs, and experience
We use AI to help draft and edit content. We check cited information against the linked sources and check the arithmetic in worked examples. These checks do not amount to an inspection of a home or a test of a product.
We do not claim site visits, trade qualifications, customer experiences, or hands-on testing that we have not documented. AI-generated images are labeled as illustrations; they do not show work completed by Homestria.
Links and commercial relationships
The source links in our guides are ordinary references, not affiliate links. Linking to a retailer does not mean we recommend every product or service it sells. If we add affiliate links or sponsored content, we will identify that relationship alongside the relevant content.
Updates and corrections
Prices and product details can change. Check the article’s dates and follow the source link before relying on a figure for a purchase. When a material error is corrected, we will explain the change in the article.
Use these guides to prepare your questions. Decisions about a property’s condition, building requirements, or work that needs a qualified trade still require advice specific to that home.
Spotted an error? Email hello@homestria.com with the article URL, the passage in question, and a source that helps explain the issue.