Affiliate disclosure
Effective date: 2026-05-25 · Last updated: 2026-05-25
CostPatch is a participant in affiliate programs operated by home-services lead-generation networks. When you request a quote through embedded forms on our site, we may earn a commission. This disclosure explains exactly how that works and what it does (and does not) influence.
The short version
We earn money two ways: (1) affiliate commissions when readers request contractor quotes through our partner networks (Networx, Bark, Angi, HomeAdvisor, and similar), and (2) display advertising (Google AdSense initially, Mediavine later).
Our affiliate commissions are post-conversion only — we never accept payment for editorial placement, "sponsored" coverage, or pay-to-play contractor promotion. We do not boost specific contractors in our content. We do not soften criticism of contractor tactics that hurt readers, even when those contractors are part of our affiliate network.
How affiliate links work on CostPatch
Throughout our cost guides you'll see "Get free quotes" buttons. When you click one and submit your project details, that information is routed to one of our affiliate partners (most commonly Networx or Bark). The partner then matches you with up to 3 local contractors who pay the partner for the lead. We earn a small portion ($5–$50 depending on service type) of the partner's lead fee.
This is the same business model used by most home-services cost websites (HomeGuide, Fixr, HomeAdvisor itself). What differs is editorial independence — see below.
Our current affiliate partners
| Network | Services covered | Typical commission | Partner privacy policy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Networx | All home services | $5–$50 per qualified lead | Networx |
| Bark Pro | All services + foundation | $5–$30 per qualified lead | Bark |
| HomeAdvisor / Angi | All exterior services | $5–$20 per signup | Angi |
| Modernize | Window, siding, roof | $10–$30 per qualified lead | Modernize |
| ServiceDirect | Garage door, gutters | $15–$100 per premium lead | ServiceDirect |
| GreatBuildz | Foundation, structural | $20–$50 per qualified lead | GreatBuildz |
Partners listed above reflect our current and planned affiliate relationships. Some applications may be pending approval. We update this table when partnerships change. Display advertising (Google AdSense, Mediavine) is separate from these affiliate relationships.
What we DO NOT do
- We don't accept sponsored content. No contractor, manufacturer, or platform pays us to write favorable coverage. Our editorial calendar is internal-only.
- We don't promote specific contractors, by name, in editorial content. Our affiliate flow routes to a NETWORK (Networx, Bark), not to individual businesses we've chosen.
- We don't soften criticism of common contractor tactics — sales pressure, financing-driven quotes, scope inflation — even when those tactics are used by contractors in our partner networks.
- We don't bias our cost ranges higher to drive more quote requests. Our ranges are derived from public data (BLS Regional Price Parity) and contractor surveys, not from commission-maximization.
- We don't sell your data. When you submit a quote form, your information goes DIRECTLY to the affiliate partner — we don't store it on CostPatch servers.
Editorial independence — how we maintain it
We use four structural safeguards to keep editorial independent of revenue:
- Quoted ranges come from public methodology, not partner data. Our state-by-state pricing applies BLS Regional Price Parity (2022) to national medians. The math doesn't change based on what generates more leads.
- We publish "you don't need this" content. Multiple articles tell readers that minor cosmetic cracks don't need foundation underpinning, that some quotes are inflated, and that DIY is sometimes the right call. This reduces affiliate revenue but matches our mission.
- Contractor-tactic disclosure is part of every cornerstone article. We explicitly call out sales pressure, financing-driven quotes, scope inflation, and "today-only" urgency tactics — even when those tactics come from contractors in our partner networks.
- Corrections policy applies regardless of affiliate impact. If a reader reports our range is too high (which would reduce their motivation to click an affiliate link), we still investigate and correct if their case is representative.
See our editorial standards for the full conflict-of-interest policy and corrections procedure.
FTC compliance
This disclosure complies with the US Federal Trade Commission's guidelines on endorsements and testimonials (16 CFR Part 255). We make our affiliate relationships clear at multiple points throughout the site:
- This standalone disclosure page
- Footer link on every page ("Affiliate Disclosure")
- Direct disclosure in the footer copyright line: "CostPatch may earn affiliate commissions from contractor referrals — this does not influence our pricing data"
- In our terms of use (section 4) and editorial standards (section 5)
How to support CostPatch (if you want to)
You don't have to. The cost guides, calculators, and state pages are free to use with or without engaging our affiliate links. If you do find a quote-request useful and choose to use one of our embedded forms, that does support our work — but the cost guides themselves remain free regardless.
Questions about this disclosure
Concerns about specific affiliate relationships, editorial decisions, or our independence policy: [email protected].