Disclaimer & Safety Notice

Last updated: August 14, 2026

SHORT VERSION: Our calculators provide estimates, not specifications. Construction work is inherently dangerous. You are responsible for verifying all calculations against manufacturer specifications, local building codes, and your own professional judgment. We are not liable for damages arising from the use of our calculators.

1. No Professional Advice

The information and calculators provided on MyHouseLogic (the "Service") are for general informational and educational purposes only. They do not constitute professional engineering, architectural, building science, electrical, plumbing, or legal advice. Nothing on this Service replaces the expertise of a licensed contractor, professional engineer, architect, or other qualified professional.

All construction work involves judgments that cannot be made by a calculator: soil bearing capacity, structural load paths, code compliance, material compatibility, environmental conditions, and worker safety. Our calculators handle the math; they cannot make these judgments for you. Always consult with licensed professionals for any project that involves structural, electrical, plumbing, gas, or life-safety work.

2. Construction Is Inherently Dangerous

Construction, renovation, demolition, and landscaping work carry inherent risks including but not limited to: falls from heights, electrical shock, structural collapse, equipment injuries, chemical burns from cement and thinset, respiratory damage from silica dust, hearing loss from power tools, heat illness, cold injury, and crush injuries from heavy materials. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, construction consistently ranks among the most dangerous occupations, with over 1,000 fatal work injuries annually.

By using the Service, you acknowledge that you understand these risks and accept full responsibility for the safety of yourself and others on your job site. You are responsible for:

Using appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) including hard hats, safety glasses, hearing protection, respirators, gloves, and steel-toed boots.
Following OSHA regulations and local safety codes applicable to your project.
Obtaining proper permits and inspections for work that requires them — which includes most structural, electrical, plumbing, and gas work.
Hiring licensed professionals for work you are not qualified to perform safely.
Maintaining a safe work environment, including fall protection above 6 feet, trench shoring deeper than 5 feet, and lockout/tagout of energized electrical systems.

3. Calculator Accuracy Limitations

Our calculators are based on industry-standard formulas and published reference data (ASTM, ANSI, NEC, UPC, TCNA Handbook, IRC). However, several factors can cause real-world results to differ from calculator outputs:

Material variation: Concrete bag yields vary by manufacturer. Drywall sheet sizes vary slightly. Tile dimensions may differ from nominal sizes. Always check manufacturer specifications.
Environmental conditions: Temperature, humidity, and surface porosity affect coverage rates. Paint coverage drops on rough or unpainted surfaces. Thinset coverage varies with trowel notch size.
Installation method: Diagonal tile layouts require more waste than straight-lay. High-texture drywall finishes require more compound than Level 4. Back-buttering large-format tile increases thinset consumption by 25%.
Code variations: Local jurisdictions may amend national codes. NEC, UPC, and IRC requirements can be stricter at the local level. Always verify with your local building department.
Input accuracy: Calculators are only as accurate as the measurements you enter. Measure twice, calculate once. Verify all dimensions before ordering materials.

We recommend adding 10–15% to material estimates beyond what the calculators show to account for these variables. The calculators include default waste factors, but real-world projects routinely exceed the defaults.

4. Financial Disclaimer

Cost estimates provided by our calculators are based on national-average material prices and may not reflect pricing in your region, at your supplier, or at the time of your purchase. Material prices fluctuate with commodity markets, supply chain conditions, and seasonal demand. Lumber prices, in particular, can swing 50% or more within a single year.

Calculator cost estimates exclude:

Labor costs (which typically equal or exceed material costs on professional jobs)
Delivery fees, fuel surcharges, and minimum-load fees
Sales tax and permit fees
Tool rentals and equipment purchases
Waste disposal and dump fees
Insurance and bonding costs
Overhead and profit margins for contractors

Treat all cost figures as material-only budget lines, not as bids or final project costs. Always obtain written quotes from suppliers and contractors before committing to a project budget.

5. Code Compliance Disclaimer

References to building codes (NEC, UPC, IRC, IBC, ADA) on this Service reflect the national model codes as published. Local jurisdictions frequently adopt amended versions of these codes, and the amendments can be more restrictive than the model code. Examples include:

Some jurisdictions require AFCI protection on all branch circuits, not just bedrooms.
Some require fire sprinklers in new residential construction.
Some require radon-resistant construction techniques.
Some have stricter energy code requirements (IECC) than the model code.
Some prohibit certain plumbing materials (e.g., PB pipe, certain types of PEX fittings).

Always consult your local building department for code requirements applicable to your specific project. A calculator that references NEC Article 220 cannot tell you whether your city requires an additional 25% safety margin on service load calculations — only your local inspector can.

6. Permit and License Requirements

Most construction work requires permits and inspections. Work performed without required permits can result in fines, mandatory removal of completed work, difficulty selling the property, and denial of insurance claims. Work that affects life-safety systems (electrical service, gas lines, structural walls, fire-rated assemblies) typically requires permits even for "small" projects.

Licensed contractor requirements vary by state and trade. Most states require licenses for electrical, plumbing, gas, HVAC, and structural work. Some states (e.g., California, Florida, Texas) require general contractor licenses for projects above a certain dollar threshold. Doing licensed work without a license can result in criminal charges, civil penalties, and inability to enforce payment contracts.

You are responsible for determining whether your project requires a permit, whether you need a licensed contractor, and whether the work you perform is legal in your jurisdiction. MyHouseLogic does not provide legal advice on these matters.

7. Environmental and Health Hazards

Many older buildings contain hazardous materials that require special handling:

Asbestos: Common in flooring (9" square tiles and mastic), popcorn ceilings (pre-1980), pipe insulation, siding, and joint compound (pre-1980). Disturbing asbestos releases fibers that cause mesothelioma and lung cancer. Always test before demolition; hire licensed abatement contractors for removal.
Lead paint: Common in pre-1978 homes. Sanding or scraping creates toxic dust that poisons children. EPA Renovation, Repair, and Painting (RRP) certification is required for contractors working on pre-1978 homes.
Silica dust: Created when cutting concrete, brick, stone, tile, or drywall. Causes silicosis and lung cancer. OSHA requires water suppression or vacuum dust collection plus respiratory protection.
Mold: Common in water-damaged buildings. Disturbing moldy materials releases spores that cause respiratory illness. Use containment and respiratory protection during remediation.
Vermiculite insulation: Often contaminated with asbestos. Do not disturb; have it professionally tested before any attic work.

If you encounter any of these materials during your project, stop work immediately and consult a licensed abatement professional.

8. No Endorsement of Specific Products or Brands

When our articles or calculators reference specific products, brands, or manufacturers (such as "Quikrete", "Schluter Kerdi", "RedGard", "Type III cement"), these references are for identification only and do not constitute endorsements. We have no financial relationship with these manufacturers unless explicitly disclosed. Other manufacturers' equivalent products may perform identically — always compare specifications rather than brand names.

9. External Links Disclaimer

The Service contains links to external websites maintained by third parties. We have no control over the content, accuracy, or practices of these external sites. The inclusion of a link does not imply endorsement. We are not responsible for any damages or losses arising from your use of linked external websites.

10. Affiliate and Advertising Disclosure

MyHouseLogic is reader-supported and may display advertisements from third-party networks including Google AdSense and Mediavine. Compensation from these advertisers does not influence our calculator math or editorial content. Calculator results are determined solely by formulas and user inputs — advertisers cannot pay to alter results.

If we ever publish sponsored content, affiliate links, or paid product reviews, those items will be clearly labeled as "Sponsored", "Affiliate Link", or "Advertisement" at the top of the content. As of the last update of this Disclaimer, we do not use affiliate links.

11. Changes to This Disclaimer

We may update this Disclaimer from time to time to reflect changes in our practices, applicable laws, or industry standards. The most current version will always be posted on this page with a revised "Last updated" date. We encourage you to review this page periodically.

12. Contact

If you have questions about this Disclaimer, contact us at:

MyHouseLogic
Attn: Editorial / Safety
Email: [email protected]
Contact form: myhouselogic.com/about#contact

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