Sketch
Sketch is Xactimate's built-in diagramming tool for creating floor plans, roof layouts, and property measurements. Sketch data drives all quantity calculations for line items in the estimate - a 2-square error in a roof sketch can swing the estimate by $600-$1,200.
The Foundation of Every Xactimate Estimate
Sketch is Xactimate's built-in diagramming tool that drives every quantity calculation on the estimate, making Sketch accuracy the foundation of estimate accuracy. When you draw a roof layout in Sketch, the dimensions feed directly into line item quantities - shingles, underlayment, drip edge, ridge cap, all of it. If the Sketch says 24 squares, every roofing line item calculates for 24 squares. If the Sketch is wrong by 2 squares, the estimate is wrong by $600-$1,200 or more.
What Sketch Calculates Automatically
Sketch does not just draw pictures - it generates measurements that flow into the entire estimate.
| Sketch Input | What It Calculates | Line Items Affected |
|---|---|---|
| Roof planes | Square footage, pitch, area | Shingles, underlayment, tear-off |
| Ridges and hips | Linear footage | Ridge cap, hip cap |
| Valleys | Linear footage | Valley metal, ice and water shield |
| Eaves | Linear footage | Drip edge, starter strip, gutters |
| Perimeter | Total edge measurements | Flashing, waste factor adjustments |
Where Sketch Errors Cost You Money
The most common Sketch errors are wrong pitch, missing roof planes, and incorrect perimeter measurements. A roof drawn at 6/12 pitch when the actual pitch is 8/12 underestimates area and understates steep-charge eligibility. Missing a dormer or a small roof section means those squares are absent from the estimate entirely. Each error compresses the scope of loss and reduces the RCV.
When reviewing the carrier's estimate, compare their Sketch against your own measurements. Pull the Sketch from the ESX file and overlay it against an aerial measurement report. Every discrepancy is a potential supplement line item.
Aerial Measurements and Sketch Accuracy
Most professional estimators use EagleView or Hover aerial measurement reports and import the data into Xactimate's Sketch tool. Aerial measurements provide precise roof dimensions without climbing the roof, and they create a standardized baseline that both the contractor and carrier can reference. When your Sketch matches the aerial report and the carrier's Sketch does not, you have objective third-party data supporting your supplement.
Manual measurements still matter for interior work, additions, and structures that aerial imagery cannot capture. But for roof estimates, aerial-to-Sketch is the industry standard workflow for a reason - it eliminates the most common source of measurement disputes.
Frequently asked questions
Sketch data drives quantity calculations for line items. If the roof sketch shows 24 squares, the shingle line item auto-calculates for 24 squares. A 2-square error on a roof sketch can swing the estimate by $600-$1,200.
Many estimators use EagleView or Hover aerial measurements and import them into Xactimate's sketch tool to ensure accuracy. Manual measurements from the property are also used, especially for interior work.
No credit card required