Taking exterior photos

It only takes 8 photos to get started!

Updated this week

Hover uses smartphone photos to create a 3D model of the exterior of any property. It’s as simple as taking 8 photos around the property with the app; one of each side and corner.

We'll deliver everything you need to get your job done, whether you're a:

  • Construction professional looking to scope and sell more projects, or

  • Homeowner looking to redesign or repair your home

If a property has multiple structures, such as sheds, barns or detached garages, capture each structure separately. Each building on a property is measured and modeled as a separate order.

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Start a new project


Once you've downloaded the app and are ready to take pictures of a property, start a new project:

  • Tap the '+' at the bottom center of your screen

  • Tap Exterior Measurements

  • Specify what you're measuring: roof only, complete, or capture only

What's the difference between roof only, complete, and capture only?

  • The Roof Only option only includes the measurements, material, and model of the roof, including soffit. (Upgrade to complete anytime!)

  • The Complete option includes measurements, materials, and model for the roof and elevations, openings, gutters, and downspout count.

  • Capture Only lets you take the photos, but order the measurements later - either roof or complete options. No cost until you submit the job!

You will be directed to enter additional property details before tapping Get started.

Take photos


Our in-app photo guide will pop up with some "best practices" and safety reminders. Once you've reviewed them all, click Continue and Start capture.

To take pictures of the property, simply tap any spot on the grid to get started!

Can I take more than eight photos?

Yes! If you can't capture the entire side or corner of a property, don't hesitate to add more photos. There is no limit to the number of photos that you can take.

  • Tap on the photo spot in the grid and then tap “add photos”.

  • Any additional photos added in this way will be used to build the 3D model.

How do I include photos of property damage?

After you have finished taking at least 8 photos, you may add more photos for documentation reasons - such as damage to the structure and surrounding area - in the “add extra photos” section.

  • Photos added in this section will not be used to build the 3D model. They're for your own records:

Submit your photos


When you've finished taking photos of the property, complete your submission by:

  • Choosing a delivery speed (standard or expedited)

  • Choosing a Bill to (if more than one wallet is on file)

  • (Optional) Adding internal notes for you or your team

What's the difference between standard and expedited delivery speeds?

Standard delivery speed:

There is NO extra processing fee for a standard delivery speed, but the turnaround time will depend on your account's pricing level:

  • Pay As You Go - delivery within 24 hours* (typically in 2-4 hours)

  • Scale membership - delivery within 12 hours* (typically in 2-4 hours)

  • Transform membership - delivery within 12 hours* (typically in 2-4 hours)

*Delivery times don't apply to >10k roof sqft or multi-family jobs

2-hour Expedited delivery speed:

There IS an extra processing fee associated with 2-hour expedited delivery speeds, but the amount will vary depending on your account's pricing level:

  • Pay As You Go - $40 additional processing fee, typically delivered under 1 hour**

  • Scale membership - $20 additional processing fee, typically delivered under 1 hour**

  • Transform membership - $20 additional processing fee, typically delivered under 1 hour**

**Expedited delivery is only available for projects from photos

Before you submit the job: It's a good habit to collect at least one reference measurement before leaving the property. Record the measurement to the internal notes section, if needed.

Internal notes cannot be seen by the Hover team, but you or a team member can easily refer to this section if we request a reference measurement.

Why is a reference measurement important?

We use image data, such as a standard size front door to determine scale. When that visual data is obscured in a photo(s) (ex: heavy foliage), we need to collect that information from another source.

Examples of reference measurements include:

  • the width of any wall from the left corner to the right corner

  • the width and height of the front door or garage door, etc.

Click Finish and you're done! We will notify you when the 3D model and measurements for your property have been finalized.

Still have questions? Reach out to our support team.

  • Call us (+1.844.754.6837). We're real people and ready to help!

  • Email us ([email protected]). We'll usually reply in about 30 min.

  • Chat with us. We generally answer in less than 3 mins. Click on the blue chat icon at the bottom right of your screen.

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