How it works
Every project here uses the same calculator engine as our individual cost calculators — so the numbers can't drift. We just run them all at once, sum the typical range across your picks, and compare against the budget you entered.
The state cost index applies to every project at once. The DIY hints look at each project's labor share at your state and surface the three that would save you the most by switching from hire-a-pro to do-it-yourself — useful for figuring out where your weekends pay back the most.
What it can — and can't — do
It can: add up the typical installed range for any 1–5 projects in our catalog, adjust by state, flag whether you're under, on the edge of, or over your budget, and point you at the best DIY wins. Every number ties back to a calculator you can open, refine, and bookmark.
It can't: tell you which contractor will come in cheapest, predict permit fees in your specific town, or capture site-specific surprises like rocky soil, slope, or demolition. Treat the totals as a planning range, not a quote — get firm bids before you commit. See our methodology for how the underlying ranges are built.
A few sample plans to start from
- New-yard starter ($15k–$20k): fence + sod + paver patio in Texas
- Big upgrade ($25k–$40k): deck + fence + concrete driveway in California
- Outdoor-living focus ($10k–$15k): paver patio + pergola + landscape rock in Florida
Planning estimates, not quotes. Costs are typical 2026 installed ranges cross-referenced from public cost guides and adjusted by a state cost index built from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics construction-trade wages. Actual costs depend on local labor markets, site conditions, design complexity, permits, and the contractor you choose. Always get firm written quotes from licensed local pros before you commit. Price data vintage: June 2026.