12 project guides

Project guides, budgets & shopping lists

Each guide collects every calculator a job needs in build order, the materials to buy, a typical budget and the steps to finish. Download the matching template to print a shopping checklist and track your real spending in Excel.

Build a Deck

Footings, framing, decking boards, fasteners, and railings for a 12 × 16 ft deck.

Typical budget ≈ $2,853 · 7 calculators

Paver Patio

Excavation, base gravel, bedding sand, pavers and edging for a 12 x 12 ft patio.

Typical budget ≈ $1,165 · 4 calculators

Build a Fence

Posts, concrete, rails, pickets and hardware for 100 ft of 6 ft privacy fence.

Typical budget ≈ $1,781 · 3 calculators

Raised Garden Beds & Landscaping

Soil, mulch, edging and plants for four 4 x 8 ft raised beds and surrounding paths.

Typical budget ≈ $1,252 · 5 calculators

New Lawn (Sod or Seed)

Topsoil, sod or seed, fertilizer and rentals for a 1,000 sq ft lawn.

Typical budget ≈ $1,181 · 3 calculators

Concrete Slab or Driveway

Base gravel, rebar, forms and ready-mix for a 20 x 20 ft slab.

Typical budget ≈ $1,902 · 4 calculators

Bathroom Remodel

Tile, grout, thinset, backer board, paint and fixtures for a 5 x 8 ft bathroom.

Typical budget ≈ $1,611 · 6 calculators

Kitchen Backsplash & Paint Refresh

Backsplash tile, thinset, grout, trim and paint for an average kitchen.

Typical budget ≈ $442 · 4 calculators

Room Renovation (Floor, Paint & Trim)

Flooring, underlayment, paint, baseboard and crown for a 12 x 14 ft bedroom.

Typical budget ≈ $1,051 · 7 calculators

Finish a Basement

Studs, insulation, drywall, flooring and paint for a 400 sq ft basement.

Typical budget ≈ $4,326 · 8 calculators

Roof Replacement

Shingles, underlayment, ice shield, drip edge and ridge cap for a 2,000 sq ft roof.

Typical budget ≈ $4,942 · 6 calculators

Retaining Wall

Blocks, base gravel, drainage stone and caps for a 40 ft x 3 ft wall.

Typical budget ≈ $2,167 · 4 calculators