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Cost Methodology How We Estimate Repair Costs

Every SiteProof report includes estimated repair costs to help you budget for turnovers and document condition changes. Here's exactly how those numbers are calculated, where the data comes from, and what they should (and shouldn't) be used for.


The short version SiteProof identifies damage in your photos, classifies what it finds, and looks up estimated repair costs from a database of real contractor pricing data, adjusted for your region. It's a starting point for budgeting, not a contractor quote.

Process

Four steps from photo
to cost estimate

1
AI analyzes your photos

Our vision model examines each photo and identifies any property damage: what it is (drywall hole, carpet stain, cracked tile), how severe it is (minor, moderate, major), and the approximate area affected.

2
Cost lookup, not guesswork

Each identified item is matched against our repair cost database: 60+ common repair line items sourced from HomeAdvisor, Angi, HomeGuide, and other national contractor pricing databases. No AI-generated dollar amounts; every estimate traces back to real market data.

3
Adjusted for your region

A drywall patch in San Francisco costs more than one in Houston. SiteProof adjusts every estimate based on your metro area using construction cost indices from RSMeans and the Bureau of Labor Statistics.

4
Depreciation calculated automatically

If an item has a useful life (carpet, paint, appliances), SiteProof prorates the estimate based on age. A 7-year-old carpet with an 8-year useful life? Only 12.5% of the replacement cost is a reasonable deduction, and we show you that math.


Coverage

What's in our
cost database

Our database covers the most common repairs and deposit deductions across 10 categories:

CategoryCovers
Walls & CeilingsPatches, paint, texture matching
FlooringCarpet, hardwood, tile, vinyl/LVP
KitchenCountertops, cabinets, appliances
BathroomFixtures, tile/grout, caulking
Doors & WindowsDoors, glass, screens, blinds
CategoryCovers
PlumbingFaucets, drains, pipe repair
ElectricalOutlets, switches, fixtures
ExteriorDeck, railings, weatherstripping
CleaningMove-out, deep clean, trash removal
Locks & SecurityRekeying, deadbolts, hardware

Sample estimates at
the national average

Your report will reflect your specific region. These are baseline figures before regional adjustment.

RepairMinorModerateMajor
Drywall patch$75 - $150$150 - $350$350 - $800
Interior painting$50 - $150 (touch-up)$350 - $850 (one room)$2,000 - $6,000 (full unit)
Carpet$40 - $90 (cleaning)$150 - $300 (patch)$3 - $11/sqft (replace)
Tile repair$130 - $300 (single tile)$10 - $50/sqft (section)--
Door replacement$30 - $100 (hardware)--$200 - $400 (hollow-core)
Move-out cleaning--$150 - $500 (full unit)--
Note Ranges reflect variation in materials, scope, and contractor pricing. SiteProof narrows the range based on what it sees in your photos (severity, area affected, material type).

Geography

Regional adjustment

Labor accounts for 60-70% of most repair costs and varies significantly by market. SiteProof applies a regional adjustment based on where your property is located.

RegionAdjustmentExample Markets
Premium+45%New York City, San Francisco, San Jose
High+25%Los Angeles, Seattle, Boston, Washington DC
Above Average+15%Denver, Chicago, Miami, Portland
AverageBaselinePhoenix, Atlanta, Nashville, Charlotte
Below Average-15%Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Memphis
Source Regional data sourced from RSMeans City Cost Index and Bureau of Labor Statistics construction cost data (2024-2026).

Fair Deductions

Depreciation &
deposit deductions

Most jurisdictions require landlords to prorate deductions based on an item's remaining useful life. SiteProof calculates this automatically so you don't over-deduct.

Example Your tenant damaged the carpet, which costs $1,200 to replace. The carpet was installed 6 years ago and has an 8-year useful life. SiteProof calculates: $1,200 × (2 remaining years / 8 total years) = $300 estimated deductible amount. Your report shows both numbers.
ItemTypical Useful LifeItemTypical Useful Life
Interior paint3 - 5 yearsAppliances10 - 15 years
Carpet8 - 10 yearsWindow blinds5 - 7 years
Vinyl/laminate flooring10 - 15 yearsInterior doors15 - 20 years
Hardwood flooring25+ yearsFaucets12 - 18 years
Countertops (laminate)10 - 20 yearsCabinets15 - 25 years

What you can expect

What SiteProof does
  • Identifies property damage from your photos
  • Provides estimated repair cost ranges based on real contractor data
  • Adjusts for your region automatically
  • Calculates depreciation for fair deposit deductions
  • Organizes everything into a clean, documented report
  • Saves you hours per unit turnover
What SiteProof is not
  • Not a professional property inspection
  • Not a contractor quote or bid
  • Not an appraisal or legal assessment
  • Not a substitute for legal advice on deposit law
  • Not a guarantee of repair costs

Roadmap

Coming soon

FeatureWhat It DoesStatus
Custom Cost Calibration Upload your past invoices and repair receipts. SiteProof learns your actual costs and adjusts future estimates to match your market, your contractors, and your properties. Coming Soon
Move-In / Move-Out Comparison Upload photos from both ends of a lease. SiteProof highlights exactly what changed, automatically distinguishing new damage from pre-existing conditions. Planned

Our Data Sources

Cost estimates are compiled from national contractor pricing databases including HomeAdvisor, Angi, HomeGuide, Fixr, HomeWyse, and Thumbtack (2024-2026 data). Regional adjustments use RSMeans City Cost Index and Bureau of Labor Statistics construction cost data. Depreciation schedules follow IRS guidelines and court-accepted useful-life standards. All data is reviewed and cross-validated for accuracy.