Privacy Policy

Last updated: July 31, 2026

This policy explains what Local Estimator collects when you use localestimator.com, why, and what control you have over it. It describes what the site actually does — not a generic template. It sits alongside our Terms of Use.

The short version

• You do not need an account, and we do not ask for your name or email to show you a price.
• ZIP codes you enter are used to look up regional pricing and are remembered in your own browser, not tied to an identity.
• We show advertising through Google, which uses cookies. You can opt out.
• We do not sell your personal information for money — and where state law treats ad cookies as “sharing”, we say so and give you the opt-out.
• US state privacy rights (access, correction, deletion, opt-out) are extended to every US visitor, not just residents of covered states.

What we collect

Nothing, for browsing prices

Reading a cost guide requires no account, no email address and no form. Prices are visible to everyone.

ZIP codes you enter

When you type a ZIP code into a price box or calculator, it is sent to our own server so we can match it to the right metro area and return a local price range. We use it for that lookup and we do not attach it to a name, an email address or an advertising profile.

Your most recent ZIP code is also saved in your browser’s local storage so the next page can pre-fill it. That value never leaves your device except as part of the price lookup described above, and clearing your browser data removes it.

Messages you send us

If you use the contact form, we receive the name, email address, topic, optional page or ZIP reference, and message you provide. That message is stored in this site’s database so we can read and reply to it, and a confirmation copy is emailed to you.

Search terms

Words you type into the site search are processed to return matching cost guides. We may review aggregate search terms to decide which guides to write next.

Standard server logs

Like nearly every website, our host records requests — IP address, browser user agent, the page requested and the time. These logs exist for security and troubleshooting and are rotated by our host.

Cookies and local storage

• Essential. WordPress sets cookies only if you log in or leave a comment. Ordinary visitors reading cost guides are not given a login cookie.
• Local storage. We store your last-used ZIP code (and nothing else) so price boxes can pre-fill it.
• Advertising. Google and its partners use cookies to serve and measure ads.

Advertising

Local Estimator shows advertising served by Google AdSense. Google and its partners use cookies to serve ads based on your prior visits to this and other websites. You can opt out of personalised advertising in Google Ads Settings, or opt out of third-party vendor cookies at aboutads.info.

Advertising has no influence on our pricing. Estimates are produced from public data before any commercial relationship is considered, and no advertiser can pay to change a published figure.

Where our pricing data comes from

Our estimates are built from public datasets published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, the Department of Housing and Urban Development, and the U.S. Census Bureau. Those datasets are fetched by our server in advance and stored locally.

Because of that design, the ZIP code you enter is never forwarded to those agencies — your request is answered from data we already hold. Read the full methodology.

Who we share information with

We do not sell personal information, and we do not share it with data brokers. Information reaches third parties only in these limited ways:

• Our hosting provider, which stores the site and its database.
• Our email provider, which delivers confirmation emails and replies.
• Google, for advertising, as described above.

Where your information is stored

This site and its database are currently hosted on servers located in the United States. If you contact us from outside the US, the information in your message is transferred to and stored in the US, where privacy laws differ from those in your own country. By sending us a message you understand that this transfer takes place.

How long we keep things

• Contact messages are kept while they are useful for support and reference, and deleted on request.
• The ZIP code in local storage stays until you clear your browser data.
• Server logs are retained on our host’s standard rotation.

Your choices and rights

Depending on where you live, you may have the right to request a copy of the personal information we hold about you, ask us to correct it, or ask us to delete it. Because we only hold personal information if you have contacted us, this almost always means the contents of your message.

To make a request, get in touch from the email address you originally used so we can identify the right record. You can also clear your ZIP code at any time by clearing your browser’s site data, and opt out of personalised ads using the links above.

US state privacy rights

A growing number of US states — including California, Virginia, Colorado, Connecticut, Utah, Texas, Oregon and Montana — give residents specific rights over their personal information. Where those laws apply to us, we extend the following rights to all US visitors rather than only residents of covered states:

• Know and access. Ask what personal information we hold about you and get a copy.
• Correct. Ask us to fix information that is inaccurate.
• Delete. Ask us to delete information we hold about you.
• Portability. Receive your information in a portable format where technically feasible.
• Opt out of targeted advertising. See “Advertising and the meaning of ‘sale’ or ‘share’” below.
• Non-discrimination. We will not degrade the site or charge you differently for exercising any of these rights — every price here is free to everyone regardless.

How to make a request

Send your request through our contact form, using the email address you originally contacted us from so we can match it to the right record. We do not ask for extra identity documents; if we cannot verify a request from the information available, we will tell you rather than guess.

We aim to respond within 45 days. If a request is complex we may extend that once, and we will tell you before we do. An authorised agent may submit a request on your behalf where state law allows, with written permission.

Appeals

If we decline a request, you may appeal by replying to our response or contacting us again with the word “appeal”. We will review it and give you a written answer with our reasoning. If we deny the appeal, you may refer the matter to your state Attorney General.

Advertising and the meaning of ‘sale’ or ‘share’

We do not sell your personal information for money, and we do not disclose it to data brokers.

We do, however, show advertising served by Google. Under California’s CPRA and several other state laws, using advertising cookies for cross-context behavioural advertising can count as “sharing” personal information or as “targeted advertising”, even when no money changes hands. We would rather state that plainly than hide behind a technicality.

You can opt out at any time:

• Google Ads Settings — turn off personalised advertising.
• aboutads.info and optout.networkadvertising.org — industry-wide opt-outs.
• Block or clear third-party cookies in your browser settings.

Global Privacy Control. Where state law requires it, we treat a Global Privacy Control (GPC) signal sent by your browser as a valid request to opt out of targeted advertising.

California: categories of information

Over the past 12 months we have collected the following categories, all described in detail above:

• Identifiers — your name, email address and IP address, only if you contact us or as part of standard server logs.
• Internet or network activity — pages viewed and search terms used on this site.
• Approximate location — the ZIP code you type into a price box. We do not use GPS or precise geolocation.

We do not collect sensitive personal information as that term is defined in the CPRA, and we do not use or disclose personal information for purposes beyond those described in this policy. California residents may also request details under the state’s “Shine the Light” law using the contact form.

Children

This site is aimed at homeowners and is not directed at children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children.

Changes to this policy

If we change how we handle information, we will update this page and the date at the top. Material changes will be summarised here rather than quietly edited in.

Contact

Questions about this policy, or a request about your information? Contact us and we will respond within one business day.