Why Aerial Measurement?
Gone are the days when estimators had to climb every roof with a tape measure. Modern aerial measurement technology allows you to accurately measure roofs remotely, saving time, reducing liability, and enabling you to bid on projects across the country.
Benefits of Aerial Measurement:
- ✓Measure in minutes vs. hours
- ✓Zero fall risk or liability
- ✓Work from your office
- ✓Bid on distant projects
- ✓Professional reports for clients
- ✓Consistent accuracy
When to Use Aerial vs. Manual:
Commercial flat roofs, large residential, steep pitch, high buildings, bid phase
Complex details, pre-construction verification, unusual shapes, final verification
Industry Standard: Most commercial roofing contractors use aerial measurement for initial estimates, then verify critical dimensions on-site before ordering materials.
Pictometry / EagleView
EagleView (formerly Pictometry) is the industry leader in aerial roof measurement. They use high-resolution oblique aerial imagery captured by aircraft to create detailed 3D models and measurement reports.
How It Works:
- Submit Request: Enter property address on EagleView website or app
- Select Report Type: Choose from Premium, Standard, or QuickSquares
- Automated Processing: AI analyzes aerial imagery to detect roof planes
- Human Verification: Technicians review and refine measurements
- Receive Report: PDF with measurements, diagrams, and waste calculations (typically 24-48 hours)
Report Types & Pricing:
Premium Report
$45-75Most detailed report. Includes:
- • Individual roof plane measurements
- • Ridge, hip, valley, rake, eave lengths
- • Pitch diagrams for each plane
- • Waste calculations (typically 10-15%)
- • Drip edge, starter strip quantities
- • Annotated aerial photos
Standard Report
$20-35Basic measurements. Includes:
- • Total roof area (with waste)
- • Basic pitch information
- • Perimeter measurements
- • Overhead diagram
QuickSquares
$10-15Quick estimate only. Includes:
- • Total squares (100 sq ft)
- • Instant delivery (minutes)
- • Good for rough budgets
Understanding the Report:
EagleView reports break down the roof into individual planes (facets). Each plane shows:
Accuracy & Limitations:
High Accuracy:
- • ±2% on area measurements
- • ±1-2 degrees on pitch
- • Excellent for flat roofs
- • Good for simple pitched roofs
Limitations:
- • Can miss small details
- • Tree coverage affects accuracy
- • Old imagery (1-3 years old)
- • May miss recent additions
Pro Tip: Always order an EagleView report if the job is worth more than $5,000. The $50-75 cost is negligible compared to the risk of under-measuring and losing money.
Other Aerial Measurement Services
Nearmap
Subscription ModelHigh-resolution aerial imagery with frequent updates. More current than EagleView but requires annual subscription (~$2,500/year).
High-volume contractors who measure 100+ roofs/year
More recent imagery, unlimited measurements, 3D modeling tools
Hover
App-BasedSmartphone app that creates 3D models from photos you take on-site. Walk around the building taking photos, and Hover processes them into measurements.
Residential contractors, exterior renovations, siding & roofing
~$35-55 per report, no subscription required
RoofSnap
All-in-One PlatformComplete roofing business platform with integrated aerial measurement. Includes CRM, proposals, contracts, and ordering.
Residential roofing companies wanting all-in-one solution
$99-199/month subscription + per-report fees
Roofr
Instant MeasurementsAI-powered instant measurements. Enter address, get measurements in seconds. Lower accuracy than EagleView but much faster.
Quick residential estimates, insurance restoration
Freemium model, paid plans ~$99/month
Google Earth (Free Method)
For budget-conscious contractors or quick ballpark estimates, Google Earth Pro (free) can provide rough measurements. While not as accurate as paid services, it's useful for screening projects before investing in a detailed report.
Step-by-Step Guide:
- 1.Download Google Earth Pro (free desktop application)
- 2.Navigate to property address - Zoom in until roof is clearly visible
- 3.Use the Polygon tool (Toolbar → Add Polygon) to trace roof perimeter
- 4.View area in measurements panel - Switch units to square feet
- 5.Apply pitch multiplier - Multiply by 1.05 (4/12), 1.12 (6/12), or 1.25 (9/12)
- 6.Add 10-15% waste - Final estimate
Accuracy Warning:
Google Earth measurements can be off by 10-20% depending on:
- • Image resolution and angle
- • Roof complexity (many planes vs. simple gable)
- • Your ability to estimate pitch from aerial view
- • Overhangs and details not visible from above
Use Google Earth for: Preliminary budgets, deciding whether to bid, screening projects. Never for final material ordering.
Drone Measurements
Drones offer a middle ground between manual climbing and aerial imagery services. You capture your own high-resolution images and process them into measurements.
Equipment Needed:
Good for simple roofs, single-family residential
Better cameras, more stable, commercial roofs
Converts photos into 3D models and measurements
Advantages:
- • On-demand measurements (no waiting)
- • Current imagery (not 2 years old)
- • See roof condition during site visit
- • Impress clients with technology
- • Marketing content (aerial photos/video)
Disadvantages:
- • Requires FAA Part 107 license ($175 + study time)
- • Weather dependent (wind, rain)
- • Learning curve for flying and processing
- • Time investment per site
- • Insurance and liability considerations
Bottom Line: Drones make sense if you do 50+ roof measurements per year and want to offer additional services (inspections, marketing content). Otherwise, stick with EagleView.
Verification Methods
Even with the best aerial technology, smart contractors verify critical dimensions before ordering materials. Here's how:
1. Ground-Level Verification
Use a measuring wheel to verify perimeter dimensions. Walk the building and measure eave lengths, building width/length.
2. Laser Distance Measurement
Laser measuring tools (~$50-200) let you measure from the ground to roof edges, parapet heights, etc.
3. Physical Roof Access (When Safe)
For low-slope commercial roofs accessible via interior ladder, verify complex areas like:
- • Expansion joints and transitions
- • HVAC curb sizes and quantities
- • Drain locations and types
- • Parapet cap dimensions
- • Existing material thickness (core samples)
4. Compare to Architectural Drawings
If you have access to plans, cross-reference aerial measurements with drawing dimensions. Look for discrepancies that might indicate additions or errors in the aerial report.
Pitch Multipliers & Calculations
Understanding roof pitch and how to convert horizontal measurements to actual roof surface area is essential for accurate estimating.
Common Pitch Multipliers:
| Pitch | Degrees | Multiplier | Common Use |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat (0/12) | 0° | 1.00 | Commercial flat roofs |
| 2/12 | 9.5° | 1.01 | Low-slope commercial |
| 3/12 | 14° | 1.03 | Minimum for shingles |
| 4/12 | 18.5° | 1.05 | Common residential |
| 5/12 | 22.5° | 1.08 | Residential |
| 6/12 | 26.5° | 1.12 | Common residential |
| 8/12 | 33.5° | 1.20 | Steeper residential |
| 9/12 | 37° | 1.25 | Steep, walkable limit |
| 12/12 | 45° | 1.41 | Very steep |
Example Calculation:
Scenario: Residential roof, 40 ft × 30 ft footprint, 6/12 pitch
Key Takeaways
- ✓EagleView Premium reports ($50-75) are the gold standard for commercial estimating
- ✓Google Earth is fine for rough budgets but never for final material orders
- ✓Always verify critical dimensions before ordering expensive materials
- ✓Drones are worth it if you measure 50+ roofs/year, otherwise not cost-effective
- ✓Know your pitch multipliers - they're critical for accurate area calculations
Master All Measurement Technologies
Get detailed video tutorials for EagleView, Nearmap, Google Earth Pro, and drone measurement. Includes practice exercises, measurement worksheets, and pitch multiplier calculator.
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