How TrueCost Works
TrueCost is a home improvement cost transparency platform. Homeowners browse real project costs. Contractors build verified portfolios. Everyone gets the transparency they deserve.
For Homeowners
- Search by category and location — Browse kitchen remodels, bathroom renovations, decks, roofing, and more — filtered by city or zip code.
- See real cost breakdowns — Every project shows what the homeowner paid — broken down by labor, materials, permits, and more.
- View photos and scope details — See what was actually done, what it looked like before and after, and what the homeowner learned.
- Contact the contractor directly — Found a contractor whose work you love? Contact them through TrueCost — no middleman, no lead auctions.
For Contractors
- Create a free account — Set up your contractor profile and start posting your completed projects.
- Upload your real work — Add photos, cost breakdowns, and project scope. Your portfolio is searchable by homeowners in your area.
- Earn homeowner verification — When a homeowner confirms your project, it earns a "Homeowner Verified" badge — the strongest trust signal on TrueCost.
- Receive homeowner inquiries — Every contractor on TrueCost receives homeowner inquiries directly. Pro members get additional tools to manage and track those leads.
The Homeowner Verification Process
The "Homeowner Verified" badge is the core trust signal on TrueCost. It means a real homeowner — the person who actually paid for the project — confirmed that the work happened at their home and that the cost details are accurate. Contractors can tag the homeowner on a project, and homeowners can verify with a single click. Verified projects rank higher and carry more weight with prospective homeowners.
How Is This Different from Other Platforms?
Most home improvement platforms make money by selling leads or running ads. That creates an incentive to keep costs vague and homeowners dependent. TrueCost's business model is built on transparency — real costs, real projects, real accountability. We don't sell your contact information. We don't auction leads. Every cost you see was posted by someone who actually paid it.