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

Estimating Building Expenses: What Tools Or Sites Do You Trust?

That’s been my experience too—those “guaranteed” numbers rarely hold up once you get into the weeds. I’ve had projects where the initial estimate looked solid, but then a single change in hardware or a tweak to the finish sent things sideways. I do like using online calculators for ballpark figures, but I never trust them for anything with custom elements. There’s just too many variables, especially when you’re dealing with real wood or specialty finishes. Sometimes I wonder if it’s even possible to get a truly accurate estimate before you’re halfway through...