ABOUT RemodelingCalculator.org

Hi Everyone! I am Leo Bander and together with my team of dedicated remodeling experts we run RemodelingCalculator.org, and our YouTube DIY channel dedicated to EVERYTHING it takes to make your dream home a reality.

Remodeling Calculator Team likes to tackle all interior and exterior renovation projects from a down to earth perspective.

Our goal is to provide you with user-friendly estimating tools, as well as accurate information on the most current prices for popular remodeling materials, products and installation work.

But, that is not all! Remodeling Calculator is also full of expert remodel cost guides and renovation design tips that will help you get the best value out of all your house remodeling pursuits.

Professional Qualifications In Construction Fields

I’ve been a contractor since 2003, specializing in:

– Residential & commercial roof installation (shingles, metal, low slope and flat roofs)
– Siding (vinyl, wood, fiber cement)
– General Contracting (GC)
– HVAC, oil & gas heating installations
– Electrical work
– Builder, etc.

I also have formal Solar PV installation training & hold an electrician’s training certificate, so technically I could work as Electrician apprentice in a master license track (but I don’t have time for that).

As of late, my primary focus has shifted from roofing to HVAC + Solar PV. I am just too passionate about green energy to “waste time climbing the ladder” 🙂

Homeowner Needs Are Our Top Priority

I am also a homeowner, and like most homeowners, I either cannot or prefer not to do the work myself (some projects – primarily drywall and plastering). So like you, I look for the best deals on home improvement, and research what is a “fair price” for remodeling projects.

To help fellow homeowners, together with my team, I do the research for you and publish Remodeling Cost Guides, Material and Manufacturer reviews, etc.

Our Remodeling Cost Calculators

Based on my experience, professional connections and ongoing research, I have designed easy to use, online estimation tools that help homeowners calculate the costs for the most popular interior and exterior remodeling and repair projects.

These remodeling calculators will yield near 90% accuracy when you provide correct inputs. Some factors that affect pricing accuracy are:

– location
– local economic conditions
– the contractor you are getting quotes from
– quality of materials
– job difficulty

We also publish an annual Remodeling Price List that includes the most current pricing for the majority of construction and remodel projects.

Where We Get Our Price Data

By being actively involved in construction and remodeling industry for over 20 years, I’ve learned how contractors in most trades price their work. I am also in regular contact with my peers, thanks to online forums for contractors, such as Contractor Talk, Roofing.com, etc.

Moreover, staying up to date with multiple studies and surveys put out by the remodeling industry I am able to gather accurate data about regional differences in the cost of professional contractor labor.

The cost estimates used in our Remodeling Calculators are an aggregate of input from hundreds of pros across the US as well as rigorous pricing research that is regularly updated.

Contacting Us / Business Inquiries

If you need to get in touch, email us info @ remodelingcalculator.org or fill out our contact form.

If you need to send us physical mail OR contact us by phone:

Remodeling Calculator DBA
162 N Main St, Building 2
Sharon, MA 02067

TEL: (617) 340-9989‬

Please do not call with unsolicited offers or requests to publish blog posts. Such calls will be ignored. Serious business inquiries only!

About Leo Bender

Leo has been a contractor since 2003, specializing in: roofing, siding, general contracting (GC) and residential remodeling. Leo is also a Certified HVAC, Oil & Gas Heating Technician/Installer. In addition to roofing and remodeling, Leo is passionate about Solar, green building and energy conservation, so a lot of my time and energy goes to installing energy efficient heating and cooling systems.


See more about Remodeling Calculator team here


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18 comments on “ABOUT RemodelingCalculator.org

  1. Bob

    Leo, I saw your video yesterday and thought it was great. I ave been considering a unitary whole house heat pump to replace my central A/C System. I also have oil boiler with forced hot water as separate system. I have had several quotes for this but they are in my opinion not reliable. I have done my own calculations and also tried your. Calculator which is very good and I get a result just a little different than yours but I have a few different variables, and I have a lot of data etc. Are you available for a paid consultation and or do you do installations with your HVAC background anymore? Tried your phone number but couldn’t connect to you.
    Bob In Stoughton, MA

    Reply
  2. Tina

    Leo, we live in western mass we need to move our ductwork because it runs down the middle of our basement and we want to use that as living space. Our home is a 1200 sq ft ranch style. We do need to move a return to a different wall and I asked for a damper because it’s very loud when heat comes on. So we received a quote of 7k. I feel like this is extremely high. What are your thoughts?

    Reply
    1. Leo B Post author

      Tina, without knowing exact layout of your ductwork, I can say this. Duct work is a “protected trade” in Massachusetts – you need a license to do it, and permits, and all of that good stuff. So while 7K is kind of insane price (I agree with you), finding better price from a licensed company may be problematic. These guys know they have very little competition because of Unions pushing the state licensing board to make this a “protected trade”, and charge whatever they feel like.

      Now – what is your primary use for the ductwork? Is it heating or Air Conditioning? If only air conditioning, I’d recommend to instead spend the money on a good 3-4 zone DUCT-LESS heat pump. I mean $7000 just for metal ducts (if you are lucky, since most guys now use flex ducts) sounds like a total waste of money, and down the road adds about 15% of energy waste (you continue spending money in wasted electricity / heat).

      Good luck

      Reply
  3. Mary Anne

    Hello, We want to install vinyl siding in our home . We are not sure which is a better product as we have 2 estimates one for Certainteed Monogram and the other for Alside Charter Oak. Both are 0,046 thickness. Please can you give us your opinion,

    Reply
    1. Leo B Post author

      Mary,

      Vinyl is vinyl, however, I’d recommend Alside – it will be a bit cheaper, and it is “100% virgin vinyl”. No recycled junk. Other manufacturers may/do use recycled vinyl with thin coat of new vinyl on the outside. A little scratch and you see a different color.

      CertainTeed will always be more expensive, with no real benefits!

      Good luck

      Reply
  4. Kristan Alvarez

    I just ran across your page and I’m on my third cup of coffee this evening wanting to read every bit of it! There’s so much helpful information I’m just in awe right now. Thank you so much for your help answering a lot of questions I had and even some I didn’t know I should’ve had. You’re awesome!

    Reply
  5. KT Thomas

    I host a podcast called KTs Money Matters- I am interested in seeing whether you or your wife would be interested in being a guest on my podcast talking about home improvements, how and why you designed your site, and common problems when pricing a job from the consumers experience- if you would be interested, please email me

    Reply
  6. Steve D

    Leo,
    I work for a local stone countertop and kitchen cabinet company and would love to be able to embed your countertop and kitchen remodeling calculator into our site. We definitely would reference you and your site if we could do this. Please shoot me an email!
    Nice site!

    Reply
  7. Mike

    Hello Leo,
    I saw your simple desalination system. it is very nice and simple.
    I would like to introduce a similar system to show poor people in the middle east to make their own drinking water at home.
    Is there anything you could help me or teach me?
    Thank you in advance,

    Reply
  8. Brian Jensen

    Hi,

    My name is Brian Jensen and I work for New Life Restoration in Santa Maria, CA. We provide water, fire and smoke damage restoration services which includes mold remediation, and hoarder cleanup services.

    I’m interested in writing for your website. Please let me know who I can contact to further discuss this.

    Thank You,

    Brian

    Reply
  9. Sharon MOORE

    Thank you for your blog. I certainly admire your efforts. You might add to your list if renewable products, cork. Please look into this great product from Portugal. Many colors and styles and very durable . Thank you, Sharon

    .

    Reply