Terms of Service

Last updated: December 2024

Acceptance of Terms

By accessing and using CostFlowAI ("the Service"), you accept and agree to be bound by the terms and provision of this agreement. These terms apply to all users of the website and construction cost calculators.

Service Description

Construction Cost Calculators

CostFlowAI provides web-based construction cost estimation tools designed for professional use by general contractors, construction managers, and specialty contractors.

Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) Estimates

All calculations provided are ROM estimates intended for preliminary planning and budgeting purposes. Results should not be used as final pricing without professional validation and detailed takeoffs.

Educational Content

Our blog and documentation provide industry insights and best practices for construction cost estimation and project management.

Professional Use and Limitations

Industry Context

Our calculators are designed for use by construction industry professionals who understand the limitations and appropriate applications of ROM estimating methodologies.

Validation Required

Users must validate all calculations through:

  • Detailed material takeoffs
  • Current local pricing verification
  • Site-specific condition assessments
  • Professional engineering review where applicable

No Substitution for Professional Judgment

Calculators do not replace the need for experienced professional judgment, site evaluation, and detailed project analysis.

Accuracy and Warranty Disclaimer

No Warranty

THE SERVICE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. We make no representations or warranties regarding the accuracy, reliability, or completeness of any calculations or content.

Regional Variations

Material costs, labor rates, and construction practices vary significantly by geographic region. Users must adjust calculations for local market conditions.

Market Volatility

Construction material and labor costs are subject to rapid market changes. Estimates may become outdated quickly during periods of market volatility.

Limitation of Liability

IN NO EVENT SHALL COSTFLOWAI BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, OR PUNITIVE DAMAGES ARISING FROM THE USE OF OUR CALCULATORS OR CONTENT.

User Responsibilities

Professional Competence

Users are responsible for:

  • Understanding construction industry standards and practices
  • Applying appropriate safety factors and contingencies
  • Verifying calculations through independent means
  • Consulting with specialists for complex applications

Appropriate Use

Calculators should be used only for:

  • Preliminary cost estimation
  • Conceptual design phase planning
  • Order-of-magnitude budgeting
  • Educational and training purposes

Prohibited Uses

Do not use calculators for:

  • Final contract pricing without validation
  • Structural or safety-critical calculations
  • Permit submissions or regulatory compliance
  • Any application where accuracy is critical without professional review

Intellectual Property

Content Ownership

All content, including calculation methodologies, formulas, and educational materials, is owned by CostFlowAI and protected by copyright and intellectual property laws.

Limited License

You are granted a limited, non-exclusive license to use the Service for legitimate business purposes. You may not:

  • Reproduce or redistribute content without permission
  • Reverse engineer or copy calculation methodologies
  • Create derivative works or competing services
  • Use automated tools to extract data or content

Data and Privacy

Calculator Data

All calculations are performed locally in your browser. Project data is not transmitted to our servers unless you explicitly share results.

Privacy Policy

Use of the Service is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which describes how we collect and use information.

Service Availability

Maintenance and Updates

We may temporarily suspend the Service for maintenance, updates, or improvements. We will provide reasonable notice when possible.

Service Changes

We reserve the right to modify, update, or discontinue features of the Service at any time without prior notice.

Professional Standards

Industry Compliance

Users remain responsible for compliance with all applicable building codes, professional standards, and regulatory requirements in their jurisdiction.

Professional Liability

Nothing in this service absolves users of their professional responsibilities or liability for construction cost estimates and project decisions.

Governing Law

These terms are governed by the laws of the jurisdiction where CostFlowAI operates. Any disputes will be resolved through binding arbitration in accordance with commercial arbitration rules.

Contact Information

Questions about these terms or the Service:

Changes to Terms

We may update these terms to reflect changes in our service or legal requirements. Material changes will be communicated through our website. Continued use of the Service constitutes acceptance of updated terms.