Estimating building expenses: what tools or sites do you trust?

custom or high-end finishes throw those calculators for a loop?

Every single time. Those apps are fine for ballpark numbers, but once you start talking about anything outside standard builder grade, they’re basically guessing. I’ve had them spit out numbers for millwork that wouldn’t even cover the materials, let alone labor. Honestly, nothing beats knowing your local guys and what they actually charge. The calculators just don’t keep up with real-world pricing, especially on the custom stuff.