Understanding Cost Estimates

Every maintenance task in SeasonKeep includes cost estimates to help you plan for upcoming work. Here's how they work and what the numbers mean.

DIY vs. Professional Costs

Each task shows two cost ranges:

• DIY Cost — What you'd spend on materials and supplies to do it yourself. This covers items like filters, cleaning products, sealant, or replacement parts.
• Professional Cost — What you'd typically pay a licensed contractor, including both labor and materials.

Both are displayed as ranges (e.g., $15–$30 for DIY, $150–$300 for professional) because actual costs vary depending on your home's size, system complexity, and local market rates.

How Regional Adjustments Work

SeasonKeep adjusts cost estimates based on your home's zip code. We use metropolitan statistical area (MSA) data to apply a regional cost multiplier that accounts for local labor rates and material costs.

For example, a furnace tune-up might cost $80–$120 in a mid-sized city but $120–$180 in a high-cost metro area like San Francisco or New York. The multiplier is applied automatically — you always see estimates tailored to your area.

What Affects the Estimate

Several factors influence the cost range for a given task:

• Task complexity — Replacing an HVAC filter is cheaper than servicing a septic system
• System type — A heat pump tune-up and a gas furnace service involve different parts and labor, so their estimates differ
• Home age — Older homes often need more labor when parts are discontinued or no longer match current standards
• Your location — Labor rates in a high-cost metro can run 50% above a mid-sized city for the same job

Tracking Actual Costs

When you mark a task as complete, you can enter the actual cost you paid. Over time, this builds a record of your real maintenance spending. You can view your cost history in the History section, which shows what you've spent per task, per system, and overall.

Using Estimates for Planning

Cost estimates help you plan ahead. Check your upcoming tasks for the month or season to get a rough idea of what maintenance will cost. If a professional estimate seems high, look at the DIY difficulty rating — many tasks rated "Easy" or "Moderate" can save you money if you're comfortable doing them yourself.