The Quotsey Blog
What we've learned from looking at thousands of contractor quotes. Hiring, negotiating, and figuring out what things should cost.
Home ImprovementJuly 1, 2026· 10 min read
The real cost of skipping HVAC maintenance
A $225/year tune-up versus thousands in wasted energy, emergency repairs, and early system replacement. The math is not close.
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Cost GuideJune 29, 2026· 10 min read
Why HVAC prices keep rising in 2026
HVAC replacement costs have nearly doubled since 2020. Refrigerant changes, efficiency mandates, tariffs, and labor shortages explain why.
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Cost GuideJune 25, 2026· 12 min read
Kitchen remodel cost breakdown: where your money actually goes
Cabinets take 30-35% of the budget. Labor takes 20-25%. Here's a component-by-component breakdown from real quote data, with notes on where people overspend.
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Cost GuideJune 25, 2026· 12 min read
How much does it cost to paint the interior of a house?
Most homeowners pay $3,000 to $8,000 for a full house. Labor is 70-85% of the bill. Room-by-room pricing and what to look for in a painting quote.
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GuidesJune 25, 2026· 10 min read
How to get landscaping quotes (without wasting your time)
Landscaping quotes are harder to compare than most home projects because scope is vague. Here's how to get quotes that are actually comparable.
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Cost GuideJune 25, 2026· 11 min read
Tankless water heater cost: is it worth the upgrade?
Tankless units cost $1,000 to $3,500 installed vs. $800 to $1,800 for a tank. The real question is whether the math works for your house.
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Cost GuideJune 25, 2026· 11 min read
Vinyl siding cost: what you'll actually pay in 2026
Vinyl siding runs $4 to $8 per square foot installed, or $6,000 to $16,000 for a typical home. How it compares to fiber cement and wood.
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Cost GuideJune 25, 2026· 11 min read
Spray foam insulation cost: where it's worth it and where it's not
Open cell runs $1 to $1.50/sqft, closed cell $1.50 to $3.50/sqft. The real question is whether your project needs foam or if blown-in does the same job cheaper.
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Cost GuideJune 25, 2026· 11 min read
Garage door installation cost: what to expect in 2026
A new garage door runs $800 to $4,000+ installed. Single vs. double, insulated vs. non-insulated, and when to replace vs. repair.
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Cost GuideJune 22, 2026· 14 min read
How much does it cost to remodel a house?
A full house remodel runs $40,000 to $200,000+. Room-by-room breakdown with RI and SE Massachusetts pricing from real contractor quotes.
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Cost GuideJune 15, 2026· 10 min read
Small bathroom remodel cost vs. master bathroom
A small bath and a master bath are different projects with a $15K–$25K price gap. Here's what each one actually costs, from 138 real quotes.
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TipsJune 11, 2026· 10 min read
How contractors price jobs
Materials, labor, overhead, and profit. Here's the formula behind every contractor quote and how to tell if yours is fair.
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Cost GuideJune 10, 2026· 12 min read
How much does basement waterproofing cost?
Interior drainage runs $3,000–$7,000. Exterior work runs $5,000–$15,000. We break down every method with Quotsey data, plus RI and SE Mass pricing.
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Cost GuideJune 2, 2026· 9 min read
Window replacement cost: what homeowners actually pay in 2026
Window quotes are confusing on purpose. We break down what vinyl, wood, and fiberglass windows actually cost, and why your quote might be double what you expected.
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Cost GuideJune 1, 2026· 8 min read
Are home renovation costs going up or down in 2026?
Lumber is cheaper, labor isn't. Here's what's actually happening with renovation pricing, based on 7,000+ real contractor quotes.
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Hiring ContractorsMay 19, 2026· 10 min read
What is the best way to receive fast home project quotes?
The traditional quoting process takes 3-6 weeks. Here's how to cut that down without sacrificing accuracy, based on 7,000+ real contractor quotes.
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Home ImprovementMay 18, 2026· 14 min read
What home improvements actually increase resale value in Rhode Island?
Not all renovations pay off in RI's $500K+ market. Here's what actually increases resale value, with local cost data from 7,000+ contractor quotes.
Read articleCompanyMay 13, 2026· 9 min read
How to know if your contractor quote is fair (and how contractors win too)
Why contractor quotes vary so much, how homeowners can compare them fairly, and how good contractors get the customers they deserve.
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Cost GuideMay 12, 2026· 12 min read
How much should flooring cost? A material-by-material breakdown
$3 to $25 per square foot based on 374 real quotes. Full breakdown by material type, room, and project size, plus hidden costs that catch homeowners off guard.
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Cost GuideMay 6, 2026· 7 min read
Remodeling costs by state: where your money goes the furthest
Home renovation costs vary 40–60% depending on where you live. See which states are cheapest and most expensive, with real pricing data.
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Cost GuideApril 27, 2026· 8 min read
How much does it cost to build a deck in 2026?
$4,500 to $18,000 based on 253 real quotes. Full breakdown by size, material, and scope, plus how to tell if your contractor's quote is fair.
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Home ImprovementApril 13, 2026· 5 min read
Bathroom renovation costs: what to expect in 2026
The median bathroom remodel costs $13,000 based on 138 real quotes. Here's the full breakdown by scope, plus what you can DIY to save money.
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Cost GuideApril 6, 2026· 10 min read
How much does a bathroom remodel cost in Providence?
A full bathroom remodel in Providence runs $12,000 to $30,000. Here's the breakdown by project scope, with local labor rates and Providence-specific factors.
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Cost GuideMarch 30, 2026· 10 min read
How much does it cost to finish a basement?
Standard finishes run $15,000 to $55,000. Gut renovations with bathrooms push past $80,000. Here's where the money actually goes.
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SafetyMarch 25, 2025· 20 min read
How to avoid contractor scams: what to know before you hire again
The FTC received over 81,000 home improvement fraud reports in 2024. Learn the warning signs, the scams happening right now, and how to protect yourself.
Read articleCost GuideMarch 23, 2026· 15 min read
How much does home improvement cost? 2026 pricing guide
What kitchens, roofs, bathrooms, HVAC systems, decks, and more actually cost right now. Real numbers from 7,000+ contractor quotes.
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Cost GuideMarch 23, 2026· 10 min read
Is your contractor quote fair? What home projects really cost in New England
Real price benchmarks from 7,000+ contractor quotes, adjusted for New England. See what roofs, kitchens, bathrooms, and HVAC systems actually cost up here.
Read articleTipsFebruary 11, 2026· 5 min read
5 red flags when getting contractor quotes
Close to half of homeowners only get a single bid before signing a contract. If you're here, you probably have a quote that doesn't sit right. Here's what to watch for.
Read articleMore posts coming. Browse our cost guides for project-specific pricing.