Table of Contents
Choosing the right roofing estimating software can save you 10-20 hours per week and dramatically improve estimate accuracy. But with dozens of options, each claiming to be "the best," how do you choose?
Bottom Line Up Front:
For most roofing contractors: AccuLynx if you need full CRM + estimating (larger companies), JobNimbus for best value and ease of use (small to medium), RoofSnap for aerial measurement integration, or Contractor Foreman if you're budget-conscious.
Quick Comparison Table
| Software | Price/Month | Best For | Key Strength | Learning Curve |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| AccuLynx | $400-800 | Large contractors | All-in-one platform | Steep |
| JobNimbus | $60-200 | Small-medium | Ease of use | Easy |
| RoofSnap | $99-199 | Residential roofers | Aerial measurement | Moderate |
| Contractor Foreman | $49-129 | Budget-conscious | Value for money | Easy |
| CompanyCam | $30-60 | Photo documentation | Job photos/CRM | Very Easy |
| Leap | $200-400 | Sales teams | In-home sales | Moderate |
What to Look For in Roofing Estimating Software
Before diving into specific platforms, understand what features actually matter:
Essential Features
- Material Pricing Database: Pre-loaded prices that update regularly
- Measurement Integration: Works with EagleView, Hover, or has built-in aerial tools
- Customizable Templates: Create your own pricing templates
- Professional Proposals: Generate branded PDFs with photos and pricing
- Mobile Access: iOS/Android apps for field estimates
- Job Costing: Track actual vs estimated costs
Nice-to-Have Features
- CRM Integration: Track leads, follow-ups, and job status
- Photo Documentation: Attach photos to estimates and jobs
- E-Signature: Get contracts signed digitally
- Production Scheduling: Schedule crews and track progress
- Invoicing and Payments: Bill clients and accept payments
- QuickBooks Integration: Sync with accounting software
AccuLynx - Best All-in-One Platform
Overview
AccuLynx is the most comprehensive roofing business platform, combining CRM, estimating, production, and project management in one system. It's designed specifically for roofing contractors.
Pricing
- Starter: $400/month (1-2 users)
- Professional: $600/month (3-5 users)
- Enterprise: $800+/month (unlimited users)
- Setup fee: $1,000-2,500
- Annual contracts required
Best For
- Companies with $2M+ annual revenue
- Multiple crews/trucks
- Need full business management
- Dedicated admin staff
Key Features
- Lead Management: Track leads from inquiry to close
- Estimating: Robust estimating with material pricing
- EagleView Integration: Order and import aerial measurements
- Production Board: Kanban-style job tracking
- Mobile App: Full-featured iOS/Android apps
- Proposal Generator: Professional branded proposals
- Material Ordering: Direct integration with suppliers
- Job Costing: Track profitability by job
- Crew Management: Schedule crews, track time
- Customer Portal: Let customers view progress
Pros
- Most comprehensive roofing-specific platform
- Excellent production management tools
- Strong supplier integrations
- Good training and support
- Constant updates and improvements
- Large user community
Cons
- Expensive ($5,000-10,000/year)
- Steep learning curve (30-60 days to proficiency)
- Can be overkill for small contractors
- Requires annual contract
- Setup can be time-consuming
JobNimbus - Best Value and Ease of Use
Overview
JobNimbus is a popular cloud-based CRM and project management tool for contractors. It's known for being user-friendly and affordable while still offering robust features.
Pricing
- Core: $60/user/month
- Plus: $100/user/month
- Pro: $150/user/month
- No setup fees
- Month-to-month available
- 14-day free trial
Best For
- Small to medium contractors
- Teams of 1-10 people
- First-time software adopters
- Residential and commercial
Key Features
- Contact Management: Track leads and customers
- Estimating Templates: Create reusable estimate templates
- Workflow Automation: Automate follow-ups and tasks
- Document Management: Store contracts, photos, documents
- Mobile App: Full mobile functionality
- E-Signature: Built-in electronic signatures
- Integrations: QuickBooks, Xactimate, CompanyCam
- Reporting: Sales reports, job tracking
Pros
- Very easy to learn (1-2 weeks to proficiency)
- Affordable pricing
- No long-term contracts required
- Great mobile apps
- Strong customer support
- Good integration options
- Clean, intuitive interface
Cons
- Estimating not as robust as dedicated tools
- Limited production management features
- No built-in aerial measurement
- Per-user pricing adds up with large teams
- Some advanced features require highest tier
Contractor Foreman - Best Budget Option
Overview
Contractor Foreman is a surprisingly full-featured platform at a budget-friendly price. It's not roofing-specific but works well for all contractors.
Pricing
- Standard: $49/month (unlimited users)
- Plus: $79/month
- Pro: $129/month
- Unlimited users on all plans
- 30-day free trial
Best For
- Startups and small businesses
- Budget-conscious contractors
- Multi-trade companies
- Companies with many field users
Key Features
- Estimating: Create detailed estimates with line items
- Scheduling: Calendar and crew scheduling
- Time Tracking: Track employee hours by job
- Invoicing: Generate and send invoices
- Daily Logs: Field reports and daily logs
- Document Storage: Unlimited file storage
- QuickBooks Sync: Two-way QuickBooks integration
- Mobile Apps: iOS and Android apps
Pros
- Extremely affordable ($49-129/month total)
- Unlimited users on all plans
- Wide range of features for the price
- Good time tracking tools
- No per-user fees
Cons
- Not roofing-specific
- Basic interface (feels dated)
- Limited customization
- Estimating tools are basic
- Support can be slow
RoofSnap - Best for Aerial Measurement Integration
Overview
RoofSnap combines aerial roof measurement with estimating, CRM, and proposal generation. It's designed specifically for residential roofers.
Pricing
- Essential: $99/month
- Professional: $149/month
- Enterprise: $199/month
- Measurement reports: $15-25 each
- Free trial available
Best For
- Residential roofers
- Insurance restoration work
- Companies doing 5+ estimates/week
- Contractors who value speed
Key Features
- Aerial Measurement: Order roof measurements within platform
- Instant Estimates: Generate estimates from measurements
- Material Calculator: Automatic material calculations
- Visual Proposals: Interactive proposals with 3D roof views
- CRM: Lead tracking and follow-up
- Mobile App: Create estimates in the field
- Insurance Integration: Xactimate integration
Pros
- Fast measurement ordering (within app)
- Beautiful proposal presentations
- Good for insurance work
- Easy to create quick estimates
- Material calculations built-in
Cons
- Measurement reports cost extra ($15-25 each)
- Focused on residential (limited commercial features)
- CRM features are basic
- Less production management than AccuLynx
- Can get expensive with report costs
Other Options Worth Considering
Leap (formerly Leap SalesPro)
Best for: In-home sales presentations
Price: $200-400/month per user
Key Feature: Beautiful iPad sales presentations with financing integration
CompanyCam
Best for: Photo documentation
Price: $30-60/month
Key Feature: Best-in-class photo organization and job documentation
Buildertrend
Best for: Large commercial projects
Price: $299-999/month
Key Feature: Comprehensive project management for complex jobs
Estimate Rocket
Best for: Simple estimates
Price: $29-79/month
Key Feature: Very simple, fast estimate creation
How to Choose the Right Software
Decision Framework
If you're a solo contractor or very small team (1-3 people):
→ JobNimbus Core ($60/user) or Contractor Foreman ($49 unlimited users)
If you do primarily residential roofing with lots of estimates:
→ RoofSnap ($149/month + measurement costs) for speed and aerial integration
If you're growing and need full business management:
→ AccuLynx ($400-800/month) for comprehensive features
If you're on a tight budget:
→ Contractor Foreman ($49-129/month unlimited users) for best value
If you do multi-trade work (roofing + siding + windows):
→ JobNimbus or Buildertrend for flexibility
If you focus on in-home sales and financing:
→ Leap ($200-400/month) for sales presentation tools
5 Questions to Ask Before Buying
- How many estimates do you create per month? - If under 10, you may not need expensive software
- What's your annual revenue? - Spend 0.5-1% of revenue on software (e.g., $500/month at $500k revenue)
- How tech-savvy is your team? - Choose simpler tools if team resists change
- What features do you actually need TODAY? - Don't pay for features you won't use for years
- Can you try before you buy? - Always use free trials (most offer 14-30 days)
Pro Tip:
Start with a mid-tier option like JobNimbus. You can always upgrade to AccuLynx later if you outgrow it. It's easier to move up than to pay for features you don't need.
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