Milo Zannis
Content Editor, RemodelFinder
Milo covers remodeling costs, project ROI, and housing-market data for RemodelFinder. His articles draw on the same dataset that powers the cost estimator: Cost vs. Value benchmarks, Zillow home values, BLS construction wages, and local permit records, translated into guidance homeowners can act on before hiring a contractor.
How the numbers behind every article are built: our methodology
Articles by Milo Zannis (23)
Oct 11, 2026 · 8 min read
Finishing a Basement in a Flood Zone and FEMA's 50% Rule
Finishing a basement in a flood zone can trigger FEMA's 50% rule, and the fix is filling it in. We ran 26,283 ZIPs to see where the math gets close.
Sep 22, 2026 · 8 min read
Remodel Labor vs Materials: The 2026 Split Isn't 65/35
How much of a remodel is labor vs materials? We ran 375 metros against BLS wage data. The same bathroom is 46% labor in one and 74% in another.
Sep 11, 2026 · 7 min read
How Much Should You Spend on a Home Renovation? 2026 Data
How much should you spend on a home renovation? We tested the 10% rule against 26,283 ZIP codes and it fails in half of them. See where yours lands.
Aug 29, 2026 · 8 min read
Why Remodeling Costs More in Older Homes (2026 Data)
Why does remodeling cost more in older homes? We mapped 26,283 ZIP codes against contractor wages and found the two problems overlap. See your metro.
Aug 10, 2026 · 7 min read
How to Check If a Contractor Is Licensed in Your State
Here's how to check if a contractor is licensed in your state, what to do when your state doesn't license them at all, and what to verify next.
Aug 2, 2026 · 7 min read
How to Compare Contractor Quotes and Spot a Bad Bid
Here's how to compare contractor quotes line by line, spot the red flags in a bid, and check any number against real costs in your own ZIP code.
Jul 25, 2026 · 9 min read
Best Time of Year to Remodel: What Each Season Costs
The best time of year to remodel isn't the same for every project. See what winter, spring, summer, and fall each cost, and how to time your quotes.
Jul 13, 2026 · 8 min read
Tariff Costs by City: What Your Remodel Really Adds Up To
Tariffs added real money to remodeling costs, and where you live changes the number by 2x. See tariff costs by city for kitchens, baths, and roofs.
Jul 11, 2026 · 10 min read
Garage Door Replacement Cost in 2026: Size, Material, ROI
Garage door replacement cost runs $700 to $4,500 installed in 2026. See what size, material, and ROI actually change, plus your local price first.
Jul 4, 2026 · 10 min read
Cost to Build a Deck in 2026: Prices by Size and Material
The cost to build a deck runs $25 to $60 per square foot in 2026, with most projects between $4,500 and $25,000. See your local price first.
Jun 27, 2026 · 10 min read
Window Replacement Cost in 2026: What Really Drives It
Window replacement cost runs $300 to $2,500 per window in 2026. Your market moves the number more than the glass does. See local prices first.
Jun 22, 2026 · 9 min read
Small Bathroom Remodel Cost: What to Expect in 2026
Small bathroom remodel cost runs $5,000 to $25,000 in 2026, and square footage barely moves it. See what drives your price and how to keep it down.
Jun 14, 2026 · 7 min read
Which US Cities Have the Highest Remodeling Costs in 2026
We ranked 301 US cities by remodeling costs. A kitchen in Honolulu runs $40,000. In Wichita Falls it's $20,000. See where your city lands.
Jun 10, 2026 · 10 min read
How Much Does a Bathroom Remodel Cost? (2026 Local Data)
Bathroom remodel costs run $5,000 to $32,000 depending on scope, but your market moves the number more than your tile does. See local 2026 data.
Jun 7, 2026 · 8 min read
How Tariffs Are Raising Home Renovation Costs in 2026
Tariffs on steel, cabinets, and appliances are adding thousands to renovation budgets. See which projects are most affected and what to do now.
Jun 6, 2026 · 7 min read
Chicagoland Renovation in 2026: Where the Money Is Going
Cook County filed 4,100 renovation permits in H1 2026. Here's which projects lead, where ROI is strongest by neighborhood, and why now is a better time to hire than 2025.
May 24, 2026 · 10 min read
HVAC Replacement Cost in 2026: What the New Rules Change
HVAC replacement costs $8,000-$15,000, but new refrigerant rules and an expired federal tax credit changed the math in 2026. Find local costs.
May 20, 2026 · 6 min read
Basement Finishing Trends 2026: Costs, ROI, and Permit Data
Basement finishing costs $20,000-$60,000 on average, but ROI and timing depend on your market. See what's trending in 2026 and what permit data shows.
May 14, 2026 · 5 min read
Building Permit Activity: What It Tells You Before You Hire
Permit volume shows whether contractor demand in your county is high, typical, or low. Here is how to read it before scheduling a remodel.
May 12, 2026 · 8 min read
Siding Replacement Cost: What Material and Market Change
Siding replacement costs $8,500-$30,000 for most homes. See what drives the number by market and material, plus ROI data before you get quotes.
Mar 12, 2026 · 7 min read
How Much Does a Kitchen Remodel Cost? (The Answer Depends on Your ZIP Code)
Kitchen remodel costs range $18,000-$45,000, but location changes everything. See what the data shows with ZIP-code ROI across US markets.
Feb 18, 2026 · 6 min read
Roof Replacement Cost: What Your ZIP Code, Material, and Roof Pitch Actually Change
Roof replacement costs $9,000-$18,000 for most homes. See how location, pitch, and material choice affect your price, plus real ROI data.
Jan 28, 2026 · 8 min read
The 5 Home Improvements with the Best ROI (2026)
Which remodeling projects add the most value? Five projects ranked with ROI scores localized to your ZIP code using Cost vs. Value data.