Free homeowner tools
Your project.
A clearer next step.
Choose where you are today. Get three practical actions, with a useful record to keep from each one.
Start where you are
Already know what you need?
Choose the situation that matches today. You can move between these starting points later without creating an account.
Returning to the project
Keep every useful record within reach.
Reopen the scope, permit, bid, payment, allowance, reserve, change-order, and pre-signing worksheets from one private-by-default index.
See the whole project journeyFrom your first budget through work underway+
Use the step you need
From first budget to final signature.
You do not need to use every tool. Start with the decision in front of you; your city and project carry into the next relevant step.
- 01Find your project cost
Choose the project and community, see the planning math, then refine the scope.
Estimate project cost → - 02Write one project description
Send every bidder the same description of the work, assumptions, undecided products, and conditions to inspect.
Write my project description → - 03Check what each estimate is missing
Find missing work, products, exclusions, payments, warranty, and permit responsibility.
Check one estimate → - 04Check unfinished product choices
Compare the amounts included for products you have not selected yet, including possible credits and markup.
Compare allowances → - 05Compare written bids
Put price, included work, products, exclusions, and contract terms side by side.
Compare bids → - 06Review payment milestones
Check that deposits and payments total 100% and follow visible progress.
Review payments → - 07Check before signing
Print the final contractor, contract, permit, insurance, warranty, and final-record questions.
Prepare signing questions → - 08Control changes after signing
Document additions, credits, markup, payment timing, and schedule impact before work proceeds.
Document a change → - 09Schedule the work
Sequence tasks and dependencies, show DIY and contractor ownership, and move connected dates together.
Build my project schedule →
Find the right worksheet
Every tool, one place.
Search by task, project, or question.
18 of 18 resources
Inspection repair planner
Turn a home inspection report into repair cards, questions, and a printable checklist.
Plan my inspection repairs →02Renovation budget worksheet
Track the whole budget, paid amounts, remaining costs and unused reserve. Download a CSV or print your record.
Fill in my renovation budget →03Plan a landscaping scope
Define planned areas, planting, grading, drainage, protection, cleanup, and comparable written-quote requirements.
Build my landscaping scope →04Plan an interior painting scope
Define paintable surfaces, preparation, products, occupied-home protection, cleanup, and lead-safe questions when applicable.
Build my interior painting scope →05Plan an exterior painting scope
Define paintable surfaces, preparation, products, access, weather limits, protection, and lead-safe questions when applicable.
Build my exterior painting scope →06Tree trimming and removal quote planner
Describe each tree, safety and access constraints, cleanup, stump work, and comparable written-quote requirements.
Plan tree-work quotes →07Project scope builder
Create one contractor-ready project description before requesting and comparing prices.
Write my project description →08Contractor bid completeness checker
Score how clearly one written estimate covers ten essential comparison fields.
Check one contractor estimate →09Contractor allowance calculator
Compare bid allowances with actual selections, markup, credits, and a revised-contract scenario.
Compare allowance amounts →10Renovation contingency calculator
Build a risk-adjusted reserve instead of choosing one arbitrary percentage.
Calculate my contingency →11Contractor payment-schedule checker
Test deposits, milestones, final holdback, and whether the schedule totals 100%.
Review a payment schedule →12Contractor change-order calculator
Model additions, credits, markup, revised contract price, and added time before approving a change.
Calculate a change order →13Permit preparation checklist builder
Create a project-specific list of permit questions, documents, inspections, and final records.
Prepare my permit questions →14Home-addition cost calculator
Estimate a Michigan addition by square footage, community, finish level, and reserve.
Estimate an addition →15Questions before signing packet
Print a contractor-ready interview and contract review packet.
Prepare questions before signing →16Contractor bid comparison
Compare 2–4 quotes across price, scope, exclusions, warranty, and payment terms.
Compare multiple bids →17Project waterfall schedule
Sequence tasks, dependencies, DIY and contractor ownership, milestones, and changing dates.
Build my project schedule →18Michigan permit-source directory
Search departments, application systems, inspections, documents, and official sources.
Find official permit sources →For home inspectors
Give buyers a useful next step.
Share a fictional example, printable QR handout, and ready-to-edit follow-up email with clients reviewing their reports.
Use these tools to get ready.
They are starting points, not professional advice. Confirm costs with written bids, permit questions with the office that handles them, and contract or safety questions with a qualified professional.