Satellite Roof Sketch Services: What They Can and Can't Do for Adjusters
Get roof measurements by address, no climb required, for faster claim estimates.
Order by address. Get an ESX that imports into Xactimate®. No ladder, no drive time.
A satellite roof sketch service gives you a measured diagram of the roof planes. You get ridge lengths, hip lengths, valley lengths, eave lengths, and total square footage. The deliverable is an ESX file that imports directly into Xactimate®. For Symbility® users, an XML file is available at order time. A PDF is an optional add on for documentation. The report provides the roof geometry and measurements you need for your estimate.
A satellite roof sketch cannot see under overhangs, inside valleys with heavy tree cover, or behind parapet walls. It cannot detect hail damage, wind uplift, or hidden rot. It cannot replace a physical inspection for interior damage or structural issues. The sketch gives you the geometry of the roof. It does not give you a condition report. Use it as a starting point for your estimate, not as a substitute for a site visit when conditions are complex.
Satellite roof sketch services provide adjusters with measured roof reports ordered by address. These reports are used to build claim estimates without a ladder or a site visit. Here is what you can expect from the service and where it fits in your workflow.
Adjusters order a roof sketch by entering the property address. The report returns with plane by plane measurements. The ESX file imports into Xactimate® so you can build a line item estimate. The same day cutoff is before the daily cutoff. This lets you close claims faster when the roof geometry is straightforward.
The report includes ridge length, hip length, valley length, eave length, rake length, and total roof area. Each plane is labeled. The diagram shows the shape of the roof from above. The ESX file carries the measurements into Xactimate® automatically. The XML file is for Symbility® users and must be selected at order time.
A satellite roof sketch works best on simple to moderately complex roofs with clear sight lines. If the roof has no heavy tree cover, no deep shadows, and no multi story obstructions, the measurements are reliable. Adjusters use these reports for initial estimates, supplement claims, and quick bids on straightforward properties.
A satellite roof sketch cannot see damage. It cannot detect soft spots, loose flashing, or interior leaks. If the claim involves suspected structural issues, hidden damage, or complex roof features like dormers with tight valleys, a physical inspection is required. The sketch is a tool for the estimate, not a replacement for the adjuster's judgment.
Go to SketchMyRoof.com and enter the property address. Select the report format: ESX for Xactimate®, XML for Symbility®, or add a PDF for documentation. Orders placed before the daily cutoff are returned the same day. The report is delivered by email with a download link.
The report does not include a materials list, a cost estimate, or a damage assessment. It does not include pitch measurements or slope angles. It is a measured diagram of the roof planes. The adjuster uses those measurements to build the estimate in their own software.
No. A satellite roof sketch gives you the roof geometry. It does not show damage, condition, or hidden issues. Use it to build an estimate, but inspect the property in person when the claim involves potential structural or interior damage.
The standard deliverable is an ESX file for Xactimate®. An XML file is available for Symbility® users and must be selected at order time. A PDF is an optional add on for documentation. Not all formats are bundled with every order.
Orders placed before the daily cutoff are returned the same day. The report is delivered by email with a download link. This allows adjusters to build estimates quickly on straightforward claims.
No. The report includes ridge, hip, valley, eave, and rake lengths plus total roof area. Pitch and slope are not measured. The adjuster can enter their own pitch based on field observation or local knowledge.
Yes. The service works for residential and commercial properties. Enter the address and the report is generated from the same process. Commercial roofs with complex shapes or heavy equipment may require a physical inspection for accuracy.
Heavy tree cover can block the view of the roof surface. In those cases, the measurements may be less accurate. The service will note if the roof cannot be fully measured. A physical inspection is recommended for heavily shaded roofs.