Sources & Methodology | Repair Cost Hub

Transparency is core to our mission at Repair Cost Hub. This page explains how we research, calculate, and maintain our cost estimates for home services across Australia.

Data Sources

Our cost estimates are derived from multiple authoritative sources:

Industry Associations: Data from organisations like the Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Equipment Manufacturers Association (AREMA) and Master Electricians Australia.
Trade Publications: Pricing guides and market reports from industry publications.
Supplier Pricing: Wholesale and retail pricing data from equipment manufacturers and distributors.
Tradesperson Input: Direct feedback from licensed contractors and service providers.
Consumer Reports: Aggregated data from actual quotes and completed projects (anonymized).
Government Data: Labour cost indices and economic data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics.

Calculation Methodology

Our cost calculators use a component-based methodology:

Base Costs: We establish baseline costs for standard installations using industry averages.
Variable Factors: We apply multipliers for factors such as property size, system capacity, and complexity.
Regional Adjustments: Costs are adjusted based on location to reflect local labour rates and market conditions.
Quality Tiers: We provide estimates across budget, mid-range, and premium options.
Additional Services: Optional add-ons and common extras are calculated separately.

Regional Pricing

We adjust our estimates for different Australian states and territories to account for:

Local labour rates and award wages
Supply chain and logistics costs
Climate-specific requirements (e.g., higher cooling loads in QLD)
Local building codes and regulations
Market competition and demand

Update Frequency

We review and update our cost data:

Quarterly: Core pricing data and market trends
Bi-annually: Full methodology review
As needed: Significant market changes or new data sources

Limitations

While we strive for accuracy, our estimates have inherent limitations:

Estimates cannot account for unique site conditions or access issues
Prices may vary significantly between individual contractors
Market conditions can change rapidly, especially for material costs
Estimates are guides only and should not replace professional quotes

Feedback & Corrections

We welcome feedback on our estimates. If you've received a quote that differs significantly from our estimates, or if you're an industry professional with pricing data to share, please contact us at hello@repaircosthub.com