Xactimate

What Xactimate is

Xactimate is the estimating platform the insurance industry writes claims in, with a regularly updated regional price list that carriers accept. If a meaningful share of your revenue is paid by an insurer, learning to write and defend an Xactimate estimate is not optional, and the sketch tool plus price list is how supplements get approved.

What it does well

• Carrier-accepted pricing and documentation
• Regularly updated regional price lists
• Sketch and scope tools built for claims
• Essential for supplement approval

Integrates with

Carrier claim systems · Restoration job management platforms

Integration lists change often and "integrates" can mean anything from a real two-way sync to a one-way push through Zapier. Ask the vendor which fields move, in which direction, and how often.

Before you commit

• Decide whether you need speed (same-day quotes from the truck) or depth (line-item takeoff from plans). Tools that do both well are rare.
• Make sure the sell price is driven by your overhead number, not a vendor default markup.
• If it includes a cost database, ask how often it is updated and whether it covers your region.
• Check that options and change orders survive a customer saying "what about the other finish?"
• Confirm the quote pushes into your job management system rather than needing re-entry.

How to judge it in a trial

Run one real job through it end to end — not the demo data. Quote it, schedule it, do it, invoice it, take the payment. Then ask the only question that matters on day 400: did the people who have to use this every day find it faster than what they do now? Friction you notice in week one compounds forever, and tool-hopping costs more than any feature gap.