HSHomeScope Guide
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Homeowner decision path

What do you have right now?

Choose your current situation. HomeScope will take you to a useful next step. No sales form.

Michigan homeowner planning library

Start with the work.
Leave with a plan.

Pick one project. HomeScope connects the early cost, local permit questions, scope decisions, and bid details you need before work begins.

Find my project

16 project guides

What are you planning to change?

Choose the closest match. Every guide starts blank. Add your city, size, and scope when you are ready.

01

Buying & inspecting

Prepare for a property inspection, understand its limits, and turn the report into prioritized decisions.

01 Michigan planning guide

Home inspection checklist

Prepare for inspection day, identify specialty checks, organize report findings, and turn material issues into next actions.

  1. Inspection day
  2. Specialists
  3. Next steps
Prepare for the inspection 02 Michigan planning guide

Specialty home inspections

Decide when radon, sewer, well, septic, chimney, environmental, structural, or trade-specific evaluation may matter.

  1. Property risks
  2. Specialists
  3. Questions
Prepare for the inspection 03 Michigan planning guide

Inspection report priorities

Sort a long inspection report into urgent risks, costly unknowns, near-term repairs, maintenance, and cosmetic items.

  1. Urgent findings
  2. Repair questions
  3. Next steps
Prepare for the inspection
02

Exterior & property

Projects exposed to weather, property-line, drainage, or exterior-envelope decisions.

01 Michigan planning guide

Roof replacement

See a first-pass cost for your roof, then compare tear-off, decking repairs, flashing, ventilation, roofing system, cleanup, warranty, permits, and inspections.

  1. Cost
  2. Permits
  3. Bids
Plan roof replacement 02 Michigan planning guide

Fence

Estimate a Michigan fence project and organize the property-line, material, gate, permit, and contractor details that should be settled before installation.

  1. Cost
  2. Permits
  3. Bids
Plan fence 03 Michigan planning guide

Siding replacement

Estimate Michigan siding replacement by exterior wall area, then plan removal, concealed repairs, insulation, flashing, trim, permits, and warranties before comparing bids.

  1. Cost
  2. Permits
  3. Bids
Plan siding replacement 04 Michigan planning guide

Window replacement

See a first-pass cost for your replacement windows. Then compare insert and full-frame bids, including the window product, flashing, trim, repairs, permits, and warranty.

  1. Cost
  2. Permits
  3. Bids
Plan window replacement 05 Michigan planning guide

Deck

Estimate a Michigan deck budget, define the structure and finish system, confirm the local approval path, and compare complete bids before construction begins.

  1. Cost
  2. Permits
  3. Bids
Plan deck
03

New or changed space

Projects that add square footage, change structure, or create newly finished living space.

01 Michigan planning guide

Detached garage

Plan a detached garage from site work through final inspection, with an adjustable cost range and a checklist for design, zoning, utilities, and complete bids.

  1. Cost
  2. Permits
  3. Bids
Plan detached garage 02 Michigan planning guide

Home addition

See a first-pass cost for your addition, then identify the design, foundation, utility, permit, and finish choices every contractor should price.

  1. Cost
  2. Permits
  3. Bids
Plan home addition 03 Michigan planning guide

Basement finishing

See a first-pass cost for finishing your basement, then check moisture, emergency escape, insulation, utilities, bathroom work, permits, and finishes before requesting bids.

  1. Cost
  2. Permits
  3. Bids
Plan basement finishing 04 Michigan planning guide

Load-bearing wall

Coordinate structural verification, engineering, permits, trades, inspections, and complete bids.

  1. Cost
  2. Permits
  3. Bids
Plan load-bearing wall
04

Interior remodeling & hiring

Room-level work and contractor decisions where selections, allowances, payments, and complete scope matter.

01 Michigan planning guide

Kitchen remodeling

See a first-pass cost for your kitchen, then compare layout changes, cabinets, counters, appliances, trade work, permits, allowances, and schedule.

  1. Cost
  2. Permits
  3. Bids
Plan kitchen remodeling 02 Michigan planning guide

Kitchen remodel timeline

Sequence planning, permits, ordering, construction, inspections, temporary-kitchen needs, and closeout.

  1. Cost
  2. Permits
  3. Bids
Plan kitchen remodel timeline 03 Michigan planning guide

Bathroom remodel timeline

Sequence planning, permits, rough trades, waterproofing, finishes, inspections, household shutdown, and closeout.

  1. Cost
  2. Permits
  3. Bids
Plan bathroom remodel timeline 04 Michigan planning guide

Compare contractor bids

Normalize scope, allowances, exclusions, payments, permits, changes, warranty, and closeout before choosing.

  1. Cost
  2. Permits
  3. Bids
Plan compare contractor bids
Most complete planning path

Follow one connected path through likely costs, municipal permit questions, roofing systems, contractor interviews, quote comparison, and final-payment checks.

1. Start with roof cost →2. Check the permit path →3. Prepare contractor questions →
Have contractor quotes?

Compare the work, not just the totals.

Put 2–4 bids side by side and check scope, materials, allowances, exclusions, warranties, and payment terms.

Compare my bids →

Useful estimates need clear assumptions.

Every calculator gives you a planning range, not a quote. Final pricing depends on the work, existing conditions, selections, labor, design, permits, and written bids. Municipal links are starting points, so confirm current requirements before work begins.