How Rafter makes money.

Rafter is free for homeowners. To keep it that way, the Site earns money in the three ways below. Assume that any link, placement, or referral on this Site may be compensated. None of it changes the price you pay, and none of it changes the numbers in our estimates. This page is part of our Terms of use, whose disclaimers and limitations of liability apply in full.

1. Advertising

We display ads, labeled as advertising. Advertisers never see your quote requests, and ad cookies load only with your consent (Cookie preferences, in the footer). Ads are third-party content: Rafter does not endorse and is not responsible for any advertised product, service, claim, or offer.

2. Affiliate links

Some links are affiliate links: if you click or buy, the retailer pays us a commission at no extra cost to you (in line with the FTC's endorsement guides). Products are suggested because they fit the guide they appear in — but we do not test, warrant, endorse, or guarantee any third-party product, its price, availability, quality, or fitness for your purpose. Prices and terms change without notice; verify everything with the retailer before buying. Any purchase is solely between you and the retailer.

3. Pro-match fees (lead generation)

When you request quotes, the independent professionals we match you with (directly or via matching partners) pay for that introduction. That fee keeps the service free for you — it is never added to your project price, and professionals cannot pay to alter our editorial content or estimates. Rafter does not endorse, vouch for, or guarantee any professional — their licensing, insurance, pricing, workmanship, and conduct are entirely their own, and any engagement is exclusively between you and them. Vet every professional independently before hiring.

Editorial independence

Our estimates come from a published methodology — regional cost data, a state cost index, and review against our quality standards. Advertisers, affiliates, and matching partners have no input into our figures or recommendations. Where a conflict could ever arise between a partnership and accuracy, accuracy wins.

Questions

Ask us anything about how we make money: hello@raftercost.com, or the contact page.