Sketch (Xactimate)

Measurements That Drive the Estimate

The Sketch tool in Xactimate is where the property's physical dimensions are drawn, and those dimensions directly drive the quantities on every line item in the estimate. A roof Sketch captures each slope's dimensions, pitch, ridges, valleys, hips, rakes, eaves, and penetrations. The software calculates total area, waste factor, and linear measurements from the drawing, then applies those quantities to the associated line items.

An inaccurate Sketch means inaccurate quantities on every roofing line item. Getting the Sketch right is not optional.

Drawing the Roof in Sketch

Roof Sketches in Xactimate are drawn in a top-down view with pitch values assigned to each slope. The tool calculates the actual surface area based on the horizontal footprint and the pitch, so a steeper roof produces a larger area than a shallow roof with the same footprint. Ridges, hips, valleys, and rakes are identified automatically from the geometry, generating the linear measurements needed for ridge cap, valley metal, and drip edge line items.

Penetrations like chimneys, skylights, and pipe vents are drawn directly onto the roof plane. Each penetration generates additional line items for flashing, sealing, and any specialized components required around the opening.

Aerial Measurement Integration

Most high-volume contractors now use aerial measurement reports from services like EagleView or Hover and import the data directly into Xactimate Sketch. This eliminates manual roof measurement, reduces errors from ground-level estimation, and provides documentation that the carrier can independently verify. If you are still climbing every roof to hand-measure, aerial integration will pay for itself within a few claims through time savings alone.