Version history

Home Cost Signal model change log

This page records material changes to the calculator method, data boundary, and homeowner-facing tools. A date alone is not a claim that every source or price was refreshed on that date.

Recorded changes

2026-07-17Roof replacement

Published the versioned roof model with separate material, installation labor, tear-off, disposal, accessories, permit, and optional deck owners.

Why: Make cost ownership and concealed-work limits visible before a homeowner compares bids.
Result impact: The visible breakdown and planning total can change from earlier model versions because costs are assigned to explicit components; the model does not claim a local contractor price.
Data basis: May 2025 labor data; 2026 material and additional-cost snapshots
Review: Data source review completed; contractor review pending

2026-07-17HVAC replacement

Published four system-specific HVAC models with equipment-only ranges, installation labor, removal, ducts, connections, permits, and capacity-band limits.

Why: Prevent equipment price, professional sizing, duct scope, and local labor from being collapsed into one unsupported number.
Result impact: Results show equipment and labor separately; state factors adjust supported labor shares only, while rebates and incentives remain unclaimed.
Data basis: May 2025 HVAC labor data; 2026 equipment and additional-cost snapshots
Review: Data source review completed; contractor review pending

2026-07-17Bathroom remodel

Published cosmetic, partial, and full supported scopes with component-specific products, five trade labor indexes, tile quantities, demolition, disposal, permits, and explicit exclusions.

Why: Keep room size, finish level, fixtures, wet-area work, trade scope, and hidden conditions distinguishable.
Result impact: The result includes a supported trade-labor subtotal for comparison while keeping product and owner rows separate; it does not infer hidden damage or local code requirements.
Data basis: May 2025 bathroom-trade labor data; 2026 product and additional-cost snapshots
Review: Data source review completed; contractor review pending

2026-08-05Roof, HVAC, and bathroom

Added model-connected example cards, project-specific quote checklists, printable and downloadable Scope of Work templates, a single state comparison table, and a visible review-status disclosure.

Why: Turn a planning range into a more useful scope-review workflow without generating thin city or ZIP pages.
Result impact: No production cost coefficients or regional formulas changed. New tools use the existing models and sources; downloaded worksheets are not stored and are not legal contracts.
Data basis: Existing calculator data versions remain unchanged
Review: Editorial methodology reviewed; data source review completed; contractor review pending

How to use this record

When a result looks different, compare its model and data version with this log and the source notes shown in the result. The current site keeps ZIP input limited to state or national labor selection; it does not publish city pages or real-time contractor pricing.

Read the full methodology → Review source notes → Open the calculators →