Terms

Terms of Service.

Plain-English summary of the rules for using HavenCostGuide. The practical version: our estimates are budgeting tools, not contractor bids; we built the calculators in good faith but you're responsible for verifying numbers with licensed pros before you spend money.

Effective date: February 1, 2026

TL;DR

· Our estimates are budgeting tools, not bids. Always get 3 written quotes from licensed local contractors before committing.
· Our cost guides are licensed CC-BY 4.0 — republish freely with attribution.
· No warranties on accuracy. We update twice yearly and disclose our methodology.
· Disputes resolved under Delaware law via individual arbitration (small claims exception).

1. Acceptance of terms

By accessing or using HavenCostGuide at havencostguide.com, you agree to these Terms of Service and our Privacy Policy. If you do not agree, do not use the Service.

2. The Service

HavenCostGuide provides free home-renovation cost estimates via multi-step calculators, bundle estimators, editorial guides, 50-state cost atlases, and optional email follow-up. The Service is free for personal use.

3. Estimate disclaimer (most important section)

All cost estimates produced by HavenCostGuide are budgeting tools, not contractor bids. Actual project costs vary based on contractor pricing, material availability, pre-existing conditions, permits, HOA, and design choices.

Always obtain at least three written bids from licensed local contractors before committing to a project. HavenCostGuide is not a contractor, licensed estimator, architect, engineer, or financial advisor.

4. Acceptable use

You agree not to submit false information, scrape/mirror without attribution, reverse-engineer calculators, interfere with site security, or use the Service to compete by re-hosting our cost data without attribution.

5. Email and contact forms

By submitting your email, you consent to receive the requested cost breakdown, a 3-touch nurture series, and the Full-Home Renovation Snapshot PDF (if you complete both bundle estimators). One-click unsubscribe in every email.

6. Intellectual property and CC-BY license

Editorial cost guides, state atlases, and methodology pages are licensed under CC-BY 4.0. Republish freely with attribution. See the License page.

NOT covered: HavenCostGuide name/logo, interactive calculator JS, proprietary cost-modeling formulas, state cost index, ROI multipliers, software UI/UX, AI-generated images.

7. Third-party links and contractor referrals

Mentions of specific contractors, brands, or services are examples, not endorsements. We do not currently operate a paid affiliate program. We are not responsible for third-party contractor quality.

8. Disclaimer of warranties

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" AND "AS AVAILABLE" WITHOUT WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, INCLUDING ACCURACY OF COST ESTIMATES.

9. Limitation of liability

Total liability for direct damages shall not exceed $100 USD or the amount you have paid us in the 12 months preceding the claim (typically $0 — Service is free).

10. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify HavenCostGuide from claims arising from your violation of these Terms or misuse of the Service.

11. Termination

We may suspend or terminate access at any time. Sections 3, 8, 9, 10, and 13 survive termination.

12. Changes to these terms

Material changes update the effective date above. Continued use after a change constitutes acceptance.

13. Governing law and dispute resolution

Delaware law. Binding individual arbitration via AAA Consumer Arbitration Rules, Wilmington DE or remote. Small claims exception. 30-day opt-out via legal@havencostguide.com. Class-action waiver.

14. Severability

If any provision is unenforceable, the rest remain in full force.