A transparent description of our V2.0 composite model, its data sources, structural adjustments, and limitations.
NumeralQ generates localized cost estimates for 13 project types across 147 U.S. markets. This page describes exactly how those estimates are produced — including the model structure, data sources, structural adjustments, and limitations. We have written this to be accurate and complete, not to be persuasive.
Every NumeralQ estimate is produced by the same two-stage formula:
local_low = national_baseline_low × city_multiplier
local_high = national_baseline_high × city_multiplier
local_low = baseline_low_per_sqft × typical_sqft × city_multiplier
There are three formula variants, by service type:
Each service has a national planning baseline — a low and high value representing the typical installed cost range nationally for a defined project scope. Baselines are reviewed annually against published industry benchmarks. Current baselines reflect the following scopes and sources:
Each of the 147 cities in NumeralQ's coverage has a single scalar multiplier that adjusts the national baseline to reflect local market conditions. A multiplier of 1.00 represents the population-weighted national mean. A multiplier of 0.94 produces estimates approximately 6% below the baseline; 1.24 produces estimates approximately 24% above it.
As of Version 2.0 (July 2026), all city multipliers are derived from a structured four-component composite formula grounded in named public datasets — replacing the V1 manually authored scalars.
The raw composite references the employment-weighted national mean construction wage (~$29.64/hr). The population-weighted mean across NumeralQ's 147 covered cities is ~$31.90/hr — a 7.54% difference. Employment weighting systematically underweights large, high-wage markets (New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Bay Area) that have a disproportionate share of homeowners. The calibration scalar of 1.0754 corrects for this reference-wage choice. It is applied uniformly to all composite values before structural adjustments.
Four categories of markets require structural adjustments that the composite formula does not capture through its index inputs:
Alaska and Hawaii — geographic isolation floors. Anchorage (AK) has a minimum multiplier of 1.50; Honolulu (HI) has a minimum of 1.60. All framing lumber, roofing materials, windows, and HVAC equipment must be shipped from the continental U.S. This shipping and supply-chain premium is not captured by BLS wage data or FHFA HPI, which measure local labor wages and property values respectively, not material transport costs. Supporting evidence: RSMeans Geographic Cost Adjustment Factors (AK: 1.19–1.35, HI: 1.18–1.28 relative to national, Nov 2023).
Florida High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ) — building code complexity. Florida Building Code HVHZ provisions require Miami-Dade Product Approval (NOA) on all roofing and exterior materials. NOA-tested products cost 30–50% more than standard equivalents. Since materials represent approximately 35–40% of project cost, compliance with HVHZ specifications adds roughly 14% to total project cost, plus mandatory staged inspections. The BCC (Building Code Complexity) premium is added to the composite result post-calibration, ranging from +0.20 in Miami-Dade/Broward (full HVHZ) to +0.03 in North Florida markets where wind-speed requirements are lower.
Upstate New York — MSA-level correction. New York State's construction LCI is $47.40/hr — dominated by New York City, which represents roughly 60% of the state's construction workforce. Upstate markets (Buffalo, Rochester, Albany) have MSA-level OEWS wages of $33–36/hr. Using the state LCI would produce multipliers of 1.45–1.55 for markets where installed roofing costs $8–10k, not $14–18k. All upstate NY cities use MSA-level BLS OEWS data. The same correction applies to Rockford, IL (state LCI $40.80; MSA ~$28) and Spokane, WA (state LCI $38.60; MSA ~$30).
Contractor density floors. Manchester and Nashua, NH (floor 1.05), Burlington, VT (floor 1.08), and New Orleans, LA (floor 1.00) receive minimum floors. NH markets draw labor from the Boston MSA at premium rates; Burlington's short construction season limits available contractors; New Orleans' hurricane rebuild cycle and below-grade construction complexity push true installed costs above the composite prediction. These floors are conservative — they represent the minimum defensible value, not the average observed contractor bid.
Cities are assigned a climate type: hot and humid, hail zone, cold climate, desert, wet climate, hurricane zone, or standard. Climate type affects the qualitative guidance shown on each city page — material specifications, installation requirements, and risk factors. Climate type does not directly modify the price estimate. The city multiplier is the only variable that adjusts the dollar range.
NumeralQ estimates are planning-level cost ranges for typical project scopes in each city. They are intended to help homeowners:
NumeralQ estimates are not:
All 13 services use the same two-stage architecture: national baseline → city multiplier → displayed range. No service uses a different calculation method. Current baselines:
Each project cost guide includes an optional financing payment illustration. These use a standard amortized payment formula applied to the project cost estimate at a stated loan term and APR range. They are illustrations only — not offers of credit, not pre-qualifications, and not representations of actual loan terms from any lender.
See our Financing Guide and Financing Disclosure for complete details.
NumeralQ estimates are informed planning ranges, not quotes. They do not account for:
When homeowners submit a quote request through NumeralQ, we help connect them with local contractors and home service professionals based on project type and location. NumeralQ is an independent home project intelligence and referral platform — we do not perform contracting work, employ contractors, guarantee contractor performance, or negotiate pricing on behalf of homeowners.
NumeralQ may work with contractors, financing providers, or third-party service platforms to facilitate homeowner project inquiries. Homeowners should independently verify current licensing through their state contractor licensing board, request proof of active general liability and workers' compensation insurance, and review references and contract terms before authorizing any work.
If you have questions about specific estimates, the model, or anything on this page, reach out via our contact page. We are committed to accuracy and will do our best to explain any specific data point.