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RealCostIQ
220+ calculators · 3 countries · no sign-up

Know the real cost before you commit.

Mortgages, remodels and the upkeep nobody quotes — priced with local wage data and current rates, with no advertiser spin and no sign-up.

Most used
MortgageAffordabilityRefinanceClosing costsRent vs buyRoof replacement
Est. monthly payment · US
LIVE
$4,053
P&I $3,203 · Tax $550 · Ins $300
Open the full mortgage calculator

Rate seeded at 7.03% — Freddie Mac PMMS 30-year average, week of September 24, 2026. Tax 1.1% and insurance 0.6% of price per year are national placeholders and vary most by address.

Always free · no paywall, no catch
$0
Sign-ups · email never required
0
Metros priced off BLS wage data
100
Labor & materials indexes refreshed
Quarterly
Browse by category

From first payment to full remodel.

43 calculatorsMortgagePayments, affordability, refinancing, PMI, FHA & VA loans.17 calculatorsInvestmentCap rate, cash-on-cash, DSCR, BRRRR and rental property ROI.22 calculatorsRoofingReplacement costs, repair estimates, materials & labor breakdowns.20 calculatorsHVACHeating, cooling, installation and energy-efficiency estimates.11 calculatorsFlooringHardwood, laminate, tile, carpet — cost per sq ft by material.9 calculatorsKitchenRemodel budgets, cabinets, countertops, appliances and more.7 calculatorsSolarInstallation cost, savings, system size and 2026 post-credit payback.100 metrosLocal CostsRoofing, HVAC, kitchen and flooring priced for your metro area.42 calculatorsMaintenanceAnnual budgets, repair costs, seasonal prep and inspections.
All 220+ calculators
From the blog

Long-form explainers, every figure sourced.

MortgagesUSGetting a Mortgage After a Layoff: Employment Gaps, Severance and Unemployment Income, and What Lenders Count While You Are Between JobsWith no paycheck, a lender has little to qualify you on. This is what the four main guides say about gaps, unemployment benefits and severance, and which income can fill the space.Home BuyingUSLaid Off Between Pre-Approval and Closing: What the Lender Re-Verifies, What You Must Disclose, and Your Options Before the Rate Lock and Deposit DeadlinesA layoff between pre-approval and closing does not automatically end the purchase, but it does change the file. Here is the order to act in, what the guides require, and what each option actually fixes.MortgagesUSLaid Off With a Mortgage: What Your Servicer Must Offer, Forbearance vs Repayment Plan vs Modification, and the Rules Before Foreclosure Can StartCalling the servicer before you miss a payment is the first step. This post sets out what federal rules require of the servicer, how Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, FHA and VA options differ, and when foreclosure can start.MortgagesUSFinancing a Fixer-Upper at Purchase: FHA 203(k), HomeStyle and CHOICERenovation vs a HELOC LaterA renovation mortgage rolls the repair budget into the purchase loan, sized on the value after the work. Here are the rules, a worked payment example, and when a HELOC after closing fails.Home BuyingUSWhat It Costs to Build a House in the US: Construction, Land and Financing, Per Square FootTwo federal and industry datasets give two different per-square-foot numbers for a new house. Here is what each one divides, and what a builder's per-foot quote usually leaves out.Home BuyingUSAsking for a Repair Credit After a Home Inspection: Pricing an Old Roof or AC, and the Lender Rules That Limit ItAn inspector says the roof or AC is near the end of its life. This is how to price the ask, which form it should take, and where the lender's rules cap it.
Read the blog
Can I DIY this?

Honest verdicts, tied to real cost data.

DIY-friendlyPainting a RoomNo permit, no licensed trade — the most beginner-friendly project there is.ConditionalBuilding a DeckGround-level is DIY-friendly; elevated decks need real structural care.ConditionalFaucet & Toilet SwapStraightforward — as long as your shutoff valves cooperate.DIY-friendlyInstalling a FenceMostly digging and setting posts — a manageable weekend project.DIY-friendlyAttic InsulationBatt or blown-in — no permit or license required.ConditionalCeiling Fan InstallEasy with existing wiring; new wiring is a bigger job.
All DIY guides
Why RealCostIQ

Always free, built for homeowners.

Every calculator is free to use — the tool we wished existed before our own purchase.

01
Always free
No paywall, no sign-up, no catch.
02
Runs in your browser
Your figures are calculated on your device.
03
Email never required
No bait-and-switch quotes, no sales calls.
04
Updated quarterly
Labor & materials price indexes.

Questions

Is RealCostIQ really free?

Yes — all 220+ calculators and guides are free to use, with no sign-up. Results are never gated behind an email address or a lead form.

How accurate are the estimates?

Cost data is reviewed quarterly using labor and materials price indexes, and mortgage rates are seeded from the Freddie Mac weekly survey. Results are planning estimates and will vary by location, so always confirm with a licensed professional.

Do you store my data?

Every calculation runs entirely in your browser, and the figures you type are never sent to us. We do record anonymous statistics — which calculator ran and the broad range each input and result fell into, such as “$350k–$500k” — with no identifier that lasts beyond the day. If you choose to email yourself a report, we use that address only to send it.

Which countries are supported?

The United States, Canada and India are live today, with local rates, rules and currency. Singapore and Australia are in development.

Do I need to create an account?

Never. There are no accounts and no “get a quote” bait-and-switch — just your numbers, instantly.