About RenoCalc
RenoCalc started because I was standing in the flooring aisle at Home Depot, staring at my phone calculator, trying to figure out how many boxes of LVP I needed for my living room. I bought 3 extra boxes “just in case.” Two of them are still in my garage.
Every renovation project has the same problem: you know the room dimensions, but translating that into actual boxes, bags, or gallons requires mental math that nobody enjoys. Existing calculators are either buried in retailer sites (and only show their products) or are generic unit converters that don’t account for waste, packaging sizes, or real pricing.
What RenoCalc Does
You enter your room dimensions (or upload a floor plan photo — our AI reads it for you). The calculator tells you exactly how many boxes of flooring, gallons of paint, bags of concrete, sheets of drywall, or boards of lumber you need. It uses real packaging sizes from actual products, includes a 10% waste factor for cuts and breaks, and shows budget, mid-range, and premium pricing tiers.
Who Built This
RenoCalc is built and maintained by a software engineer and DIY homeowner based in San Francisco. After renovating a kitchen, two bathrooms, and a backyard patio, I had enough experience (and enough leftover materials) to build the calculator I wish I’d had from the start.
The material database is based on real product specs from major retailers, updated regularly to reflect current packaging sizes and pricing. Coverage rates, waste factors, and pricing tiers are sourced from manufacturer data and industry standards.
How It Works
- Material database — 11 material types with real coverage rates and pricing from national retailers
- Waste factor — 10% built in (industry standard for straight-lay installations)
- AI floor plan reader — upload a photo or screenshot of your floor plan and the AI extracts room dimensions automatically
- Pricing tiers — budget, mid-range, and premium options so you can plan your budget
- Shop links — compare prices on Google Shopping for the materials you need
Accuracy & Limitations
All estimates are based on industry-standard coverage rates and national average pricing. Your actual costs may differ based on local market conditions, specific product choices, and project complexity. Complex layouts (diagonal, herringbone) require more waste — bump up to 15–20%. Always verify final quantities with your local supplier before purchasing.
Contact
Found a bug? Have a feature request? Want to suggest a material to add? Reach out at hello@renocalc.org.