Legal
Privacy Policy
Last updated: October 17, 2026
True Build Cost (“we,” “us,” or “our”) operates truebuildcost.com (the “Service”). This Privacy Policy explains what information we collect, how we use it, and the choices you have. See also our Terms of Service.
1. Information we collect
Information you provide. You may enter a ZIP or place, project choices, and similar inputs to generate an estimate. If you save or share an estimate, we may store those inputs and results on our servers so you can reopen or edit them.
On your device. We use browser storage (such as localStorage) for drafts, your active location, privacy choices and notice dismissal, and house builds started on that device. Clearing site data removes this from that device.
Automatically collected. We and our providers may collect technical data such as IP address, browser and device type, referring pages, and how you use the Service.
Cookies. We use cookies or similar tech for session continuity (for example, editing a saved estimate), security, and optional analytics and marketing measurement (Google Analytics, Google Ads, OpenAI Ads, Meta where configured, and Vercel Analytics). For visitors identified as being in the United States, optional measurement starts automatically unless you previously opted out or your browser sends Global Privacy Control. We show a dismissible notice; closing it is not an agreement or consent. Outside the United States, or when we cannot determine the country, optional measurement waits for your choice to accept. Our host determines the country from the connection; our privacy-setting response does not include your IP address or city. You can turn optional tracking off at any time through Your Privacy Choices. Admin areas may use authentication cookies.
2. How we use information
We use information to:
- Provide, operate, and improve the Service and estimates
- Remember drafts, location, and builds on your device
- Save and retrieve estimates you choose to store online
- Measure usage, diagnose issues, and secure the Service
- Measure marketing performance subject to your privacy choices
- Comply with law and enforce our Terms
We do not sell your personal information for cash. Some advertising partners may process data in ways certain state laws treat as a “sale” or “share” for targeted advertising—see Your choices below.
Affiliate links and partner websites
Contractor referral links may take you through CJ to Angi. We may earn a commission from qualifying service requests. These links include our publisher identifier and a project-category label to attribute referrals; we do not include your entered ZIP code, project answers, or estimated budget in the link. CJ and Angi may collect technical information and use cookies when you follow it, under their own privacy policies. Information you enter on Angi is provided directly to Angi.
When optional tracking is enabled, we also measure which referral button you click in Google Analytics, Google Ads, and OpenAI Ads. We also measure project-page visits and whether referral buttons are visible. A click is not a completed service request. When optional tracking is enabled, we keep a traffic-channel label for your browser session and include that label and the button location in the CJ referral link. These labels do not include your ZIP, contact details, or calculator answers.
4. Retention and security
Device-stored data remains until you clear it. Server-stored estimates are kept while needed to provide the Service or as required by law, then deleted or anonymized in ordinary operations. We take reasonable measures to protect information; no method is completely secure.
5. Children
The Service is not directed to children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. Contact us if you believe a child has provided information and we will delete it.
6. Your choices
— turn off optional analytics and advertising tracking, including sharing through these tools. We honor Global Privacy Control even if you previously allowed tracking. Your choice is saved in this browser; if storage is blocked it applies to the current page. Turning tracking off does not affect your access to our calculators or undo data already sent to partners.
- Clear drafts and builds by clearing site data in your browser, or by deleting builds in the panel where available
- Manage cookies in your browser settings (some features may not work if cookies are blocked)
- Opt out of personalized Google ads via Google Ad Settings or aboutads.info
- Request access, correction, or deletion of personal information we hold by emailing legal@truebuildcost.com
Residents of certain U.S. states (including California) may have additional rights to know, delete, correct, or opt out of sale or sharing for targeted advertising. Contact us to exercise those rights. We will not discriminate against you for doing so.
7. Changes
We may update this policy from time to time. We will post the revised version here and update the “Last updated” date.
8. Contact
Privacy questions: legal@truebuildcost.com. Website: https://truebuildcost.com.
Also see our Terms of Service.