Visual-estimator

What is visual-estimator

Visual-estimator is a web and mobile application for construction estimators and field crews that converts photos and plans into measurements, material takeoffs, and formatted proposals. The product focuses on rapid, visual workflows: users upload site photos or PDF plans, place measurement markers or overlays, and the system converts those annotations into square footage, lengths, counts, and costed line items. Visual-estimator stores templates, itemized pricing, and proposal layouts so teams can deliver consistent quotes to clients quickly from the office or the job site.

The platform supports multi-user accounts, basic role controls, and cloud syncing so teams share the same price libraries and project records. It also includes tools for client presentation (PDF proposals, annotated photos) and digital acceptance (signatures, approval tracking). Typical customers are small-to-medium contractors in roofing, siding, window installation, and exterior remodeling, though it’s also used by home inspectors and insurance restoration estimators who need fast site documentation.

Visual-estimator is built around three core ideas: image-first measurement, reusable cost libraries, and rapid proposal generation. That makes it suitable for businesses that prioritize speed and standardization over heavy-duty construction project management — it’s intended to replace manual measuring and spreadsheet-based pricing for common exterior jobs.

Visual-estimator features

What does visual-estimator do?

Visual-estimator makes it possible to generate measurements and price estimates directly from photos and plan images. Key functional areas include image-based measurement and takeoff; templated, itemized proposals; material and labor cost libraries; mobile capture and offline support; and integrations for accounting and CRM sync. The app emphasizes simple, repeatable workflows that field staff can use with limited training.

The tool turns annotated photos into measurable quantities (areas, lengths, counts) and maps those quantities to line items in a cost library. Once line items are assigned, the system produces estimates and customer-facing proposals that include annotated images, itemized pricing, and terms. Users can export proposals as PDFs, print them, or email them directly from the app.

Other operational features include team user management, role-based access, audit logs for changes, and basic reporting on estimates created, win/loss rates, and revenue by job type. The platform also supports custom templates for proposals and line item markup rules to standardize quotes across estimators.

Features summary:

• Image-based measurements: Draw or place points on photos and plans to get area, linear, and perimeter measurements
• Takeoff automation: Reusable measurement templates for common roof planes, siding runs, and window counts
• Cost libraries: Store materials, labor rates, and markup rules to produce consistent line-item pricing
• Proposal generator: Create client-ready PDFs with annotated photos, itemized costs, and terms
• Mobile apps: iOS and Android apps for on-site capture and offline data collection
• Integrations: Sync customers, invoices, and jobs with accounting or job-management tools via native integrations and API
• User roles and permissions: Admin and estimator roles with shared libraries and project records
• Export and reporting: CSV/Excel export of estimates, and basic dashboards for tracking activity

Visual-estimator pricing

Visual-estimator offers these pricing plans:

• Free Plan: $0/month with single-user limitations and basic features
• Starter: $29/month per user (billed monthly) or $24/month per user (billed annually)
• Professional: $69/month per user (billed monthly) or $59/month per user (billed annually)
• Enterprise: Custom pricing with volume discounts, SSO, dedicated account management, and custom integrations

The Free Plan is intended for individual contractors who need occasional estimates and basic photo measurement capability. The Starter plan adds multi-user access, reusable cost libraries, and basic proposal templates. The Professional plan includes advanced templates, export formats, priority support, and more generous storage for images and project records. The Enterprise tier offers custom onboarding, single sign-on (SSO), advanced security controls, and an SLA for uptime and support.

Pricing notes and billing:

• Starter: Monthly customers pay $29/month per user; annual billing typically reduces the effective monthly rate to $24/month per user and is invoiced $288/year per user.
• Professional: Monthly customers pay $69/month per user; annual billing typically reduces the effective monthly rate to $59/month per user and is invoiced $708/year per user.
• Enterprise: Enterprise engagements are quoted based on number of users, required integrations, and onboarding services; annual contracts are common.

Check Visual-estimator's pricing tiers for the latest rates and enterprise options.

How much is visual-estimator per month

Visual-estimator starts at $29/month per user for paid plans when billed monthly. The entry paid tier (Starter) is priced for single users or very small teams that need reusable templates and multi-device access. Larger teams usually select the Professional plan at $69/month per user for the additional templates, reporting, and storage.

Monthly billing is available on Starter and Professional plans; Enterprise customers typically sign annual agreements with volume pricing and setup fees. Monthly billing allows teams to scale users up or down but often carries a higher effective rate than annual billing.

If you need a temporary license for a specific season or campaign, monthly billing is practical — for long-term use, annual billing reduces the per-month cost by roughly 10–20% depending on the plan.

How much is visual-estimator per year

Visual-estimator costs $288/year per user for the Starter plan when billed annually (equivalent to $24/month per user). For the Professional plan, annual billing is typically $708/year per user (equivalent to $59/month per user).

Annual billing is the recommended approach for teams that will use the system continuously because it lowers per-user costs and simplifies vendor invoicing. Enterprise contracts are usually quoted as annual commitments with additional onboarding and integration fees included.

How much is visual-estimator in general

Visual-estimator pricing ranges from $0 (free) to $69+/month per user. The platform is positioned for small contracting teams that want a lower-cost alternative to full ERP or construction management suites. Entry-level usage is free for single users with limited features; most growing teams choose the Starter or Professional plans to gain multi-user collaboration, larger storage limits, and integration options.

Total cost of ownership should consider the number of active estimators, frequency of estimates, image storage needs, and desired integrations with accounting systems. For teams that place heavy emphasis on volume, enterprise pricing and per-seat discounts can bring the effective per-user rate down substantially.

What is visual-estimator used for

Visual-estimator is used primarily for field-based estimating and takeoff from photos and plan images. Common usages include roofing square and pitch calculations from photos, siding linear footage and board counts, window and door counts, and quick material lists for replacement projects. The tool speeds the process of turning a site visit into a priced proposal.

Contractors use it to standardize quotes across different estimators by sharing cost libraries and templates. It’s also used to capture annotated images for warranty files and insurance documentation, providing a visual record attached to each estimate. Sales teams use the proposal PDFs generated by the system to present itemized options to homeowners and document accepted scopes.

For teams that also manage jobs, the tool’s exports feed into job management and accounting systems to create invoices, track revenue, and reconcile material purchases. While Visual-estimator does not replace full project management suites in larger builds, it fills the estimating gap with a faster, more visual workflow for exterior and smaller renovation jobs.

Pros and cons of visual-estimator

Pros:

• Rapid estimates from photos reduce the need for time-consuming manual measurements and repeated site visits.
• Reusable cost libraries and templates promote consistency and reduce pricing errors across a team.
• Mobile capture and offline support enable field crews to collect data in areas with poor connectivity.
• Native export options and integrations simplify handoff to accounting and job-management tools.

Cons:

• Less suitable for complex, multi-phase commercial projects that require detailed scheduling and resource tracking found in full construction management suites.
• Users who require advanced change order workflows or subcontractor management may need additional systems.
• The image-based measurement model can be limited by photo quality and requires proper capture technique for accurate results.

Operational trade-offs:

• Visual-estimator is optimized for speed and repeatability rather than exhaustive construction scheduling.
• For companies that need both estimating and full project controls, Visual-estimator is often paired with a job-management platform rather than replacing it.

Visual-estimator free trial

Visual-estimator typically offers a time-limited free trial of its paid features so teams can test image measurement, proposal generation, and integrations before committing to a paid plan. During the trial period, users get access to Starter- or Professional-level features depending on the promotion, including multi-user access and export options.

Trials usually include sample projects and guided tutorials to demonstrate common workflows (roof takeoff, siding linear measurement, window counts). Administrators can invite team members to trial accounts to evaluate real-world use and measure the time savings versus established estimating processes.

To start a trial, teams typically sign up on the vendor site and verify an email address. For Enterprise evaluations, a demo plus a short pilot period is commonly arranged to validate integrations and onboarding requirements.

Is visual-estimator free

Yes, Visual-estimator offers a Free Plan for single users with limited features. The Free Plan allows occasional measurements, basic proposal exports, and trial of the core image measurement tools. It’s intended for sole proprietors or contractors who need occasional estimates without recurring costs.

The Free Plan limits multi-user collaboration, cloud storage, and advanced templates. Teams that require shared cost libraries, multiple concurrent estimators, or heavier storage should evaluate the Starter or Professional plans.

Visual-estimator API

Visual-estimator exposes a RESTful API and webhook system designed for integration with accounting, CRM, and job-management systems. The API covers common resources such as customers, projects, estimates, line items, and attachments (annotated photos and PDFs). Authentication is handled via API keys for server-to-server integrations, with OAuth 2.0 available for applications that require user-scoped access.

Typical API capabilities:

• CRUD on customers, jobs, and estimates
• Retrieve and push annotated images and PDF proposals
• Webhooks for estimate created/updated/accepted events
• Bulk export endpoints for nightly synchronization
• Rate limits and pagination for large accounts

Integration patterns and examples:

• Sync accepted estimates to accounting systems (QuickBooks Online, Xero) to auto-create invoices
• Push estimate and job metadata to job-management platforms (Jobber, ServiceTitan) to start scheduling and dispatch
• Use webhooks to trigger internal workflows when a proposal is accepted or an estimate is updated

For full developer documentation and example code, consult Visual-estimator’s developer documentation at the Visual-estimator API documentation.

10 Visual-estimator alternatives

• Jobber — Job management and quoting software geared toward service businesses with integrated scheduling and invoicing.
• Buildertrend — Comprehensive construction management with estimating, project scheduling, and client communication tools.
• Procore — Enterprise-grade construction management platform with deep project and financial controls for larger builders.
• AccuLynx — Roofing-focused CRM and estimating platform that combines aerial measurements with workflow management.
• Xactimate — Industry-standard insurance estimating and claims platform used extensively in restoration and insurance work.
• Knowify — Estimating, job cost tracking, and contract management for contractors who need deeper financial controls.
• Measure Square — Specialized takeoff and estimating for floor covering and commercial interiors.
• Housecall Pro — All-in-one field service management with quoting, dispatch, and payments targeted at small service contractors.
• Sage Estimating — Robust estimating system for commercial construction estimating with advanced cost database management.
• FieldPulse — Contractor CRM and estimating tool built for small teams needing field scheduling alongside estimates.

Paid alternatives to Visual-estimator

• Buildertrend: Full project lifecycle management for contractors that need estimating plus scheduling, change orders, and client portals.
• Procore: Enterprise solution with deep integration into procurement and project financials, appropriate for larger commercial contractors.
• AccuLynx: Roofing-specific solution that combines estimating, aerial measurements, and workflow automation.
• Xactimate: Widely used in the insurance industry for claims estimating and restoration projects with standardized pricing catalogs.
• Knowify: Estimating plus job costing and contract management for trades that want tighter financial controls.

Each paid alternative tends to trade off simplicity for broader functionality — Visual-estimator focuses on quick visual estimating, while these tools expand into scheduling, procurement, and full financial management.

Open source alternatives to Visual-estimator

• OpenProject: Open-source project management that can be adapted for job tracking and simple estimate records; lacks native photo takeoff features but useful for team workflows.
• ERPNext: Open-source ERP that includes sales, purchase, and project modules; can be extended for estimating with custom fields and templates.
• Odoo (Community): Modular open-source platform where estimating and invoicing apps can be combined; requires configuration to replicate Visual-estimator’s image measurement workflows.

Open-source options typically require configuration and development to match the image-first takeoff workflows that Visual-estimator provides out of the box.

Frequently asked questions about Visual-estimator

What is Visual-estimator used for?

Visual-estimator is used for photo-based estimating and takeoff. Contractors use it to convert photos or plan images into measurable quantities and costed proposals for roofing, siding, windows, and exterior remodeling. The visual workflow reduces manual measurements and speeds estimate delivery.

Does Visual-estimator integrate with QuickBooks?

Yes, Visual-estimator supports integrations with accounting systems such as QuickBooks Online. Estimates and accepted proposals can be exported or synced to create invoices and customer records, reducing duplicate data entry between estimating and accounting.

How much does Visual-estimator cost per user per month?

Visual-estimator starts at $29/month per user for the Starter plan billed monthly; the Professional plan is typically $69/month per user billed monthly. Annual billing reduces the effective monthly rate for both paid tiers.

Is there a free version of Visual-estimator?

Yes, Visual-estimator offers a Free Plan for single users with limited storage and basic measurement features. The Free Plan is suitable for contractors who only need occasional estimates or who want to evaluate the core tools before upgrading.

Can Visual-estimator measure roof pitch from photos?

Yes, Visual-estimator includes tools to estimate roof pitch and calculate roof area from annotated photos and plan images. Accuracy depends on photo quality and correct placement of measurement anchors, so best practices for image capture are advised.

Does Visual-estimator offer offline mobile functionality?

Yes, Visual-estimator provides mobile apps with offline capture. Field users can collect photos and measurements without an active connection; changes sync when the device regains connectivity. Offline support helps work in remote areas with limited cellular coverage.

How secure is Visual-estimator for storing client and photo data?

Visual-estimator employs industry-standard encryption and access controls. Data in transit uses TLS/SSL and stored images are encrypted at rest; Enterprise plans include additional controls like SSO, IP allowlisting, and audit logs. For full security details, review Visual-estimator’s security documentation.

Does Visual-estimator provide an API for integrations?

Yes, Visual-estimator provides a RESTful API with webhooks for common integration needs. The API supports customers, projects, estimates, attachments, and webhook events for estimate status changes, enabling automated workflows with accounting and job-management systems.

Can I export estimates to Excel or CSV?

Yes, Visual-estimator supports CSV and Excel exports of estimates and line items. Exports are useful for importing into accounting systems, doing bulk analysis, and preserving records outside the application.

What training resources are available for Visual-estimator?

Visual-estimator provides documentation, video tutorials, and onboarding guides. Paid plans often include priority support and onboarding sessions; Enterprise customers receive dedicated implementation assistance to configure cost libraries and templates.

visual-estimator careers

Visual-estimator’s team typically hires for roles in product management, engineering (full-stack and mobile), customer success, and sales engineering to support contractor onboarding. Careers at the company focus on building features oriented to field workflows and integrations with construction software ecosystems.

Open roles often require experience with SaaS products, mobile app development, and APIs. Customer-facing positions prioritize background in construction or service industries so that staff can understand estimator workflows and capture real-world use cases.

Candidates interested in product or engineering roles should review the company’s job listings for specific requirements and remote-work options. Many teams supporting contractor software also emphasize customer empathy, rapid iteration, and field testing with pilot customers.

visual-estimator affiliate

Visual-estimator may operate a partner or affiliate program targeted at resellers, consultants, and complementary service providers (roofing suppliers, insurance restoration firms, and marketing agencies). Affiliate or reseller programs commonly offer referral fees or discounted access for customers brought in by partners.

Partners that integrate Visual-estimator into a broader offering — for example, sale-of-materials workflows or bundled services — can create value by combining estimating with procurement and installation services. Affiliates usually receive marketing collateral, training, and partner portal access to support referrals.

If you’re evaluating partnership opportunities, contact Visual-estimator’s sales or partner team to request program details, revenue share, and co-marketing resources.

Where to find visual-estimator reviews

You can find user reviews on industry-specific software directories and contractor forums where field-service teams discuss estimating and takeoff tools. Visit review sites that specialize in construction and field service software to read verified user feedback and compare feature sentiment.

Examples of places to check reviews include construction software marketplaces, independent review aggregators, and contractor-focused Facebook groups and Reddit communities where users share practical experiences. Also consult case studies and customer testimonials on Visual-estimator’s website to see example workflows and ROI claims.

For the most up-to-date customer feedback, search for Visual-estimator reviews and product comparisons on construction software review platforms and request references from the vendor for similar-sized customers.