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Estimates

Formerly known as Material Lists

Updated today

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Once your exterior 3D measurements are ready in Hover, you can generate accurate, production-ready material lists and estimates from either the mobile or web app. Estimates can be created from a photo-based scan or blueprint upload, whether the project includes a roof only or the full exterior.

Watch a walkthrough of Hover Estimates for Construction

We're rolling out a new and updated experience! If your app looks different, you may be on our legacy experience.

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Start an estimate

You can start an estimate from either the project details page or from within Workspace, depending on where you are in your workflow.

From the Project Details Page (PDP)

  • Select the Estimates card

  • Choose Start estimate

From within Workspace

  • Choose your preferred materials in 3D

  • Select Create estimate

  • Select template(s)


Starting from the PDP

If starting from the project details page, you can scope your estimate using one of two methods. No matter which option you choose, you can select multiple material styles for a single trade and choose as many templates as you need for the project scope.

  • Scope materials in 3D - Use the 3D model to visually select areas of the structure and apply material templates directly to build your estimate.

  • Start from material templates - Select material templates from the template list and apply them by trade to define your project scope.

Our manufacturer / branded templates are developed in collaboration with the manufacturers, themselves. We are actively working on partnerships to expand our library of ready-made templates.

Note: If the project has roof-only measurements, the estimate will only calculate roofing templates. Other trade templates will appear in the menu, but calculate as 0.

Scope materials in 3D

Tap Choose and scope materials in 3D, then:

  • From the lefthand trade panel, click + beside a trade you want to assign a template to (e.g., roof, siding, etc.)

  • Open the Starter template library and choose your desired template(s) (e.g., shingle, board & batten, etc.)

    • (Optional) If you have previously saved templates, you will also see a Custom template library. Open the Custom library to select a saved template.

  • Click Apply

  • Repeat this process for as many trades needed in the project scope

  • Click Create Estimate to continue.

  • At this point, your estimate will generate.

How to scope partial areas

  • Click Edit area from the trade panel

  • Select the area to include or remove via the model or panel

How to apply mixed materials

  • Select Add to scope + to create a material group, then choose the trade and template for it.


Scope from a material template

Tap Start from a material template, then:

  • Select the template(s) you want to use for each trade

  • Saved templates appear first in the Custom template library

  • If no templates have been saved, only Starter templates will be available

  • You can search for templates by manufacturer, product line, trade, material type, and more

If you cannot find the template you need, select Need another template? at the bottom of the screen to request one.

How to scope partial areas

If you need to remove part of an area from your scope and only one material is applied to each trade, click Select Partial Area. This opens the mixed materials flow, where you can choose specific areas and adjust the scope in more detail.

Go back to finish scoping, continue to your next trade, or generate your estimate.

How to apply mixed materials

If more than one material is applied to a trade, selecting Continue takes you into the mixed materials flow for that trade. In this flow, you assign each material to the correct area by selecting areas on the 3D model or using the panel.

Assigning a new material to an area overrides the previous material selection. After completing one trade, select Continue to move to the next trade in the scope, such as siding after roofing.


Common Questions

What does the template 3 dot menu do?

  • Select or deselect all facets, quickly

  • Add another section (duplicate the template)

  • Remove the template from that trade

Can I create multiple takeoffs for a project?

Yes! Whether you want to create Good/Better/Best options for your customer or you want production lists for multiple trades, you can create additional material takeoffs in (3) different ways:

Review this collection for answers to additional common questions.


Review and download

Hover will generate your measurement-based estimate with pre-populated Material, and Labor sections, along with a section to account for things like permits, dumpsters, etc.

From here you can start a proposal, order materials directly from a supplier, or download just the material items, or the full production list to share with others.

Want more?

Dive deeper into all the ways to customize your estimates.

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