Sources

These are the data sources behind our calculators. U.S. government data is in the public domain; we cite it as a courtesy and so you can check it. We use no retailer or store data. We last checked these sources on 2026-10-22; the regional price data is the BEA's 2024 release. Prices and product specifications change, so your actual costs will differ. Always check current local prices and the product label.

Regional price data

  1. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis: Regional Price Parities by State (SARPP), 2024: State goods price levels for the optional regional price adjustment. Public U.S. government data.
  2. BEA regional data download (SARPP.zip): The file we processed (table SARPP, line 2: RPPs: Goods).
  3. U.S. Census Bureau: 2020 ZCTA to County Relationship File: Matching 3-digit ZIP prefixes to states. Public U.S. government data.

Product specifications

  1. Sherwin-Williams SuperPaint Interior Satin product data sheet: spread rate 350–400 sq ft per gallon (checked 2026-10-22)
  2. Behr Premium Plus Interior paint (product page and technical data sheet): coverage 250–400 sq ft per gallon (checked 2026-10-22)
  3. Iowa State University Extension: How to determine the amount of mulch needed: mulch is commonly sold in 2 or 3 cu ft bags; 27 cu ft per cubic yard (checked 2026-10-22)
  4. QUIKRETE Concrete Mix (No. 1101) product data sheet: an 80 lb bag yields approximately 0.60 cu ft (checked 2026-10-22)
  5. NRMCA Concrete in Practice CIP 31: Ordering Ready Mixed Concrete: order 4% to 10% more than the volume calculated from plan dimensions (checked 2026-10-22)
  6. Tarkett laminate installation instructions: add 5–10% for straight installs, 15% for diagonal (checked 2026-10-22)
  7. NIST Voluntary Product Standard DOC PS 20-25, American Softwood Lumber Standard: a nominal 6-inch board is 5-1/2 in wide dry dressed (checked 2026-10-22)
  8. Daltile tile & natural stone FAQs: buy approximately 10% more tile than you expect to need (checked 2026-10-22)
  9. Mississippi State University Extension: Sod installation and maintenance: a pallet typically holds 450–500 sq ft; buy about 5% extra (checked 2026-10-22)
  10. Purdue Extension AY-28-W: Establishing a lawn from sod: one pallet is typically about 50 sq yd (450 sq ft) (checked 2026-10-22)

Our own assumptions

Default prices, waste allowances, gravel weight per cubic yard and sod pallet coverage are our assumptions and are marked as such on each calculator. Replace them with your own figures.

Last updated October 22, 2026.