Construction Guides
Practical, no-nonsense guides on estimating materials and budgeting your next project — written for contractors and DIYers alike.
The master volume guide for estimating concrete. Learn the core formula, convert inches to feet, and run real examples for slabs, footings, and Sonotube columns.
A plain-spoken breakdown of 2026 concrete driveway pricing, the factors that move the number, and where you can realistically cut costs without cutting corners.
A contractor-grade breakdown of how concrete and asphalt driveways compare on price, durability, upkeep, and climate—so you can pick the right surface the first time.
A practical, code-aware guide to sizing deck footings, digging below the frost line, and choosing the right footing type for your soil and loads.
A practical, no-guesswork guide to estimating paint for walls, ceilings, and trim — including coverage rates, coat counts, and a full worked example.
A practical guide to calculating mulch by the cubic yard, choosing the right depth, and deciding whether bagged or bulk delivery saves you the most money.
A practical 2026 guide to pricing a gravel driveway, understanding how stone is sold, and calculating exactly how many cubic yards or tons you need.
A practical 2026 breakdown of fence cost per linear foot by material, what drives the price, how to count posts, rails, and pickets, and a full worked example for a 150-foot cedar privacy fence.