Independent Reviews
A second set of eyes on pricing, scope and missing items.
Independent construction guidance for homeowners
Peace Of Mind
Before You Sign™
Understand the scope, spot hidden costs and ask better questions before you commit your hard-earned money.
Free Project EstimatorAsk a ContractorLet a Corky's Contractor Take a Second LookCustom Quote Request
Let Corky's Help You Help Yourself™
Education firstClear project information
Independent insightPractical estimate reviews
Homeowner focusedFewer expensive surprises
Construction cost estimator
Free Project Cost Calculator
Pick your state, then one of 26 whole projects (bathroom, kitchen, basement, addition, ADU, deck, painting, water damage, landscaping, windows & doors, siding, fence, flooring, HVAC or evaporative cooler, water heater, electrical panel, EV charger, hot tub, repipe, gutters, driveway, shed, retaining wall, aging-in-place and manufactured home repairs) or one of 16 single trades. Wondering how much a bathroom remodel costs in Arizona? Choose Arizona and Bathroom Remodel for a Low / Typical / High range. Labor is based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data for your state, and materials, permits and overhead are adjusted with a published state construction cost index; materials start from current retail prices where we could check them. Your entries stay in your browser.
Not sure what the job involves? Read the Trade Guides for steps, timelines, red flags and questions to ask. See the material prices behind this estimate.
Planning tool only. Results are ballpark ranges (Low End / Typical / High End), not bids or guaranteed prices. They do not include permits (unless listed), engineering, taxes, delivery, hidden damage, code upgrades or contractor minimums. Real prices vary by city, season, access and contractor. For more accurate review and pricing guidance, submit a Custom Quote Request.
Meet Corky
Experience turned into homeowner advantage.
Nearly 25 years as a general contractor, working every trade in the business.
- 25+Years as a general contractor
- 16Trades covered
- 762Materials in our library
- 51States covered (incl. DC)
Let Corky's Help You Help Yourself™
Corky's MHS™ was built around a simple belief: customers deserve to understand a project before they commit. Construction experience, real-world problem solving and frustration with misleading estimates inspired a resource focused on better questions and clearer decisions.
Knowledge is power. Informed customers make better decisions.
Our promise
Guidance before costly mistakes.
Our goal is to help customers avoid costly mistakes through information, education, guidance and independent project reviews.
Corky's goal is simple: give homeowners a real shot at keeping contractors honest, so the customer is never taken advantage of — because without them, there's no us.
Construction Education
Plain-language information to help you understand the work.
Practical Insight
Real-world considerations for labor, materials and planning.
Homeowner Protection
Red flags and questions that help reduce avoidable surprises.
Contractor quote review & second opinions
Choose the help you need.
Get a second opinion on a contractor bid before you sign, ask a quick construction question, or request a custom quote. Not sure what a bid should include? Read How to Read a Bid or Estimate and How to Hire a Contractor.
- Fill out your requestTell us your question or upload your estimate. Your typing is saved on your device.
- Pay securely with PayPalCheckout happens in PayPal's own window. We never see your card number.
- Submit & get your answerYour request is sent only after PayPal confirms the payment. We reply by email.
- 🔒 Secure checkout by PayPal
- ✔ Payment confirmed before your request is sent
- 🛡 Your info is used only to answer your request - Privacy Policy
All sales are final. No refunds, exchanges, cancellations or credits. Outcomes are not guaranteed. Additional fees for complex, commercial, engineering, specialty-trade or custom-fabrication work require customer approval before work begins.
Free · No payment
Already have a quote from Corky's? Questions or concerns?
If Corky's MHS™ gave you a quote or bid, ask anything about it here, free. Send your question and, if you like, a photo or PDF of the quote. Jordan will get back to you.
Contractor scam red flags
A few questions today may save thousands tomorrow.
Why a second opinion on a contractor bid matters
Any one of these warning signs is a reason to slow down before you sign. A Second Look Review puts an independent set of eyes on the pricing, scope and missing items in your estimate, so you can ask better questions first.
Get a Second Look ReviewMore warning signs, payment rules and lien-waiver basics: Payment Schedules & Lien Waivers · Change Orders Explained.
- Large upfront payments
- No written estimates
- Pressure sales tactics
- Cash-only requests
- Vague pricing
- No references
- No insurance documentation
- Constant change orders
- Refusal to answer questions
Homeowner guides & knowledge base
Trade Guides
What the work involves, typical steps, how long it usually takes, what drives the cost, red flags and common rip-offs, questions to ask before you sign and permits to expect - for every trade in the calculator and the most common remodels.
Homeowner basics
How to Hire a ContractorUnderstanding Permits & InspectionsHow to Read a Bid or EstimateChange Orders ExplainedPayment Schedules & Lien WaiversProject Timeline PlannerSeasonal Home Maintenance ChecklistWorking with an HOAStorm Damage & Insurance Claim BasicsDesert Southwest Homes: Heat, Monsoon & CalicheManufactured & Mobile Home Repairs
Remodel projects
Bathroom RemodelKitchen RemodelBasement FinishRoom AdditionADU & Garage ConversionDeck or Patio CoverPainting (Interior & Exterior)Landscaping, Hardscape & IrrigationStorm & Water Damage Repair
Single trades
Site Work & ExcavationConcrete & FoundationsFramingRoofingSiding & Exterior TrimWindows & DoorsInsulationDrywallPainting (Interior & Exterior)ElectricalPlumbingHVAC (Heating & Cooling)FlooringCabinets & CountertopsDecking & FencingDemolition & Disposal
Project showcase
Built with purpose. Solved with experience.
Designed, built, and delivered by Corky himself.
Material prices library
Find the category. Learn the language.
Construction material prices for every trade - lumber, drywall, roofing, plumbing, electrical, HVAC, flooring, concrete, fencing, manufactured-home parts and more - with unit, low / typical / high price, source and date. Pick a trade to see common materials.
| Material | Unit | Avg. price | Typical range | Price source | Checked |
|---|
Prices are national averages from public retailer listings or planning estimates. The calculator adjusts these for your state. Local prices, sales and availability vary. "Estimate" means we could not verify a live retail price. Prices are reviewed weekly and adjusted with the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index - see the price changelog.
Customer testimonials
Real projects. Real homeowner experiences.
FAQ: construction costs & contractor bids
Straight answers.
How much does a bathroom remodel cost in Arizona?
It depends on size, finish level and what changes. As a starting point, the free calculator with Arizona selected and its default hall-bath settings (45 sq ft, mid-range finishes, new tub and tile surround) showed about $13,000 low, $16,300 typical and $21,000 high in September 2026. Change the size, finishes and layout to see your own range, then compare real bids. See the Bathroom Remodel guide for what drives the cost.
Can I get a second opinion on a contractor bid?
Yes. The Second Look Review (starting at $25) puts an independent set of eyes on the pricing, scope and missing items in your estimate before you sign. Quick questions go to the Contractor's Desk ($5).
How current are the material prices?
Prices are reviewed weekly. Each item shows its unit, low / typical / high price, source and the date it was checked; items tied to a U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index series are adjusted when a new index month is published. Anything we could not verify at a retailer is labeled Estimate.
Are estimates guaranteed?
No. The estimator provides planning ranges only and does not replace a written contractor bid.
Where do the calculator numbers come from?
Labor starts from May 2025 state wage data published by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, converted to a typical contractor billing rate. Materials use retail prices checked on the date shown in the Materials Library, or clearly labeled estimates. Materials, permits, fees and contractor overhead are then adjusted for your state with the 2026 Area Cost Factors published by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.
How do paid requests work?
Fill out the request form and pay with PayPal or card. Your request is sent to us automatically as soon as PayPal confirms the payment - there is nothing else to press. If you leave the page, your typed details are saved in your browser (attachments must be re-attached).
Are payments refundable?
No. All sales are final, with no refunds, exchanges, cancellations or credits.
Can I upload photos?
Yes. Request forms include a file upload field where supported by Formspree.
How long do reviews take?
Timing depends on the project information and complexity. Submit all available details so the request can be assessed.
How accurate is the estimator?
It is an educational planning tool. Region, access, labor, materials and scope can change real pricing.
Do you provide legal advice?
No. Corky's MHS™ provides educational construction guidance, not legal advice.
Join the mission
Customers deserve information before making major financial decisions.
Education helps protect homeowners. Knowledge is power.
Material updates, estimator updates, educational articles and Contractors Corner™ news.
Launching soon
Contractors Corner™
Something larger than a contractor directory is being built. A future community connecting homeowners, contractors, tradesmen, fabricators, suppliers, service providers and industry professionals.
Built For Those Who Build America™When You Hang With Corky... Everybody Gets A Piece Of The Pie™ 🥧More details coming soon.
Legal
Privacy Policy
Effective date: September 6, 2026
Corky's MHS™ may collect information you voluntarily submit through website forms, including contact details, project descriptions, uploaded files and transaction identifiers. This information is used to respond to requests, review projects, provide purchased services and communicate updates you request.
Forms are processed through Formspree and payments are processed by PayPal. Their respective policies and systems govern information submitted directly to them. Paid requests and free quote questions are also saved securely on our Cloudflare hosting so they are not lost; this website never stores payment card details.
Do not upload sensitive personal, financial, medical or identity documents. To request access, correction or deletion of information, contact Corky's MHS™ through a website request form.
Legal
Terms of Service
Effective date: September 6, 2026
Corky's MHS™ provides educational construction information, project guidance and independent review services. Information is not a contractor bid, warranty, inspection, engineering service or legal advice.
All sales are final. No refunds, exchanges, cancellations or credits. Pricing for complex, commercial, engineering, specialty-trade, custom-fabrication or detailed projects may require additional fees. Customer approval is required before additional paid work begins.
You are responsible for the accuracy and completeness of submitted information, verifying licenses and insurance, obtaining permits, and selecting qualified professionals. No outcome, savings, price, schedule or resolution is guaranteed.
By submitting content, you confirm that you have the right to share it. Content approved for testimonials may be displayed by Corky's MHS™ when permission is granted.
Legal
Disclaimer
Effective date: September 6, 2026
Website content and estimator results are provided for general education and preliminary planning only. They are not guaranteed estimates, bids, appraisals, inspections, engineering opinions or legal advice.
Actual construction costs and timelines vary with location, labor, materials, design, access, permits, code requirements, concealed conditions and market changes. Obtain written proposals from properly qualified professionals and independently verify credentials, insurance, references and scope.
Corky's MHS™ does not guarantee the outcome of complaints, disputes, negotiations or project decisions.
