Methodology

How the data is built.

Pricing data from multiple source classes, adjusted for regional labor markets, reviewed quarterly.

01
Source Classes
Primary inputs: BLS, FRED, Remodeling Magazine. Each source weighted by record count and recency. Index date: 2026.Q1.
02
Regional Labor Adjustment
Metro multipliers from BLS NAICS 1731 (masonry/concrete) regional wage indices. National = 1.0. Each record carries an explicit regional_multiplier.
03
Negotiation Floor Logic
P15 of verified bids in a metro area — the 15th percentile of actual contractor proposals. The counter-offer anchor, not a minimum price. Savings = avg − floor.
04
Markup Calculation
markup_pct = (avg − floor) / floor × 100. Low-markup markets indicate tight competitive bidding.