About US Cost Index
Independent, algorithmic building and mechanical system cost intelligence for American property owners.
Our Mission
Founded to address the pervasive opacity in residential construction and mechanical trade pricing, US Cost Index builds computational tools that empower homeowners with transparent, verifiable contractor estimates. Rather than relying on crowdsourced guesses or contractor self-reporting, every model on this platform is grounded in empirical public data published by U.S. federal agencies.
How We Calculate Costs
Our algorithms synthesize four primary streams of official federal data:
- Labor Rates: Extracted directly from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, loaded with realistic contractor overhead, licensing, vehicle fleets, and apprentice helpers.
- Thermal & Sizing Demands: Engineered using Department of Energy (DOE) Building America climate zone benchmarks and ACCA Manual J load calculations.
- Operational Utility Rates: Sourced from U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) Form 861M electric and natural gas tables.
- Tax Incentives: Continuously audited against IRS guidelines for Inflation Reduction Act Section 25C Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credits.
Editorial & Research Independence
US Cost Index is an independent research entity. We do not sell HVAC equipment, we do not manufacture building products, and we do not dispatch installation crews. While we may receive referral compensation when readers choose to request quotes from licensed third-party contractors, our algorithms, equipment pricing models, and regional wage indices remain strictly independent and unbiased.
Contact the Research Desk
Have feedback, local permit fee updates, or questions about our computational models? Reach our technical desk at:
editorial@uscostindex.com