FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know about Ximator tools, subscriptions, and services. Can't find your answer? Contact us.

// General
What is Ximator?

Ximator is an AI-powered construction estimating platform. We offer 30+ estimation tools — from free calculators (paint, concrete, roofing) to premium AI tools (BOQ generator, bid proposal, timeline estimator) — combined with real human estimator review for verified reports.

Who is Ximator for?

Ximator is built for the construction industry in the USA, Canada, and UK. Our users include:

  • General contractors and subcontractors
  • Homeowners planning renovations
  • Developers and real estate investors
  • Architects and project managers
  • Insurance adjusters
  • Construction estimators
Is Ximator free to use?

Yes — we offer 11 completely free tools: Paint Calculator, Concrete Estimator, Roofing Calculator, Tile Calculator, Flooring Calculator, Drywall Estimator, Framing Estimator, Foundation Estimator, Deck Calculator, Driveway Cost Calculator, and the Federal Davis-Bacon Wage Calculator. No signup required. All 57 professional tools (lien waiver, 1099-NEC, Section 179, pay application, bid bond, BOQ, HVAC, electrical, and more) require a Premium subscription starting at $249/month (annual) or $299/month.

Do I need to create an account?

Free tools are accessible without an account. To save your estimates, access premium tools, or submit projects to our agency team, you'll need a free account. Signup takes less than 60 seconds.

// AI Tools
What tools are included in the free plan?

Free tools include: Paint Calculator, Concrete Estimator, Roofing Calculator, Tile Calculator, Flooring Calculator, and Drywall Estimator. These deliver instant AI-generated estimates with material quantities, labor costs, and professional breakdowns.

What premium tools are available?

Premium tools (23 total) include: Blueprint-to-Cost AI, Material Takeoff, BOQ Generator, Bid Generator, RFQ Generator, Scope of Work, Timeline Estimator, Cost Forecasting, Image-to-Estimate, Insurance Repair Estimator, Electrical Estimator, Plumbing Estimator, HVAC Estimator, Demolition Estimator, Renovation Estimator, Kitchen Remodel Calculator, Bathroom Remodel Calculator, Change Order Generator, Labor Cost Predictor, Permit Fee Estimator, Profit Margin Calculator, Invoice Generator, and Waste Calculator.

Can I save and edit my estimates?

Yes. All estimates are saved to your dashboard. You can rename them, view the full report, and use the "View & Edit" button to return to the tool with your original inputs pre-filled — perfect for revising a project scope or updating material costs.

What markets and locations are supported?

Our tools support US National Average plus 12 specific US cities/regions (NYC, LA, Chicago, Houston, Phoenix, Seattle, Miami, Denver, Dallas, Atlanta), plus Canada and the UK. Location cost indices are applied to adjust labor and material rates for your market.

// Accuracy
How accurate are the AI estimates?

On typical residential remodels, our AI tools land within ±7% of actuals. With human review and verification, accuracy improves to ±4.8%. Accuracy varies by project complexity — simpler projects (painting, flooring, concrete slabs) are more accurate than complex multi-trade projects.

Are the estimates legally binding?

No. Ximator estimates are professional cost opinions — not contractor bids, legal guarantees, or binding contracts. They are intended to help with budgeting, planning, and bid preparation. Rates are valid for 30 days from the date of preparation.

How do you calculate costs?

Our tools use CSI MasterFormat division rates, regional cost indices from industry databases, trade-specific labor formulas, and material quantity takeoff logic. Rates are updated regularly to reflect current market conditions. For premium tools, human estimators review outputs and can adjust for site-specific conditions.

// Premium & Billing
How much does Premium cost?

Premium AI Tools subscription is $299/month (or $249/month billed annually — save 17%). This gives you unlimited access to all 57 premium tools, human verification on estimates, branded reports with your company name, and estimate saving/editing. Agency Services (full human estimation) starts at $500 per project. See our pricing page for full details.

What payment methods do you accept?

We accept all major credit cards via Stripe. For agency services, we also accept bank transfer (ACH/Wire), PayPal, Wise, and Stripe. A 50% advance payment is required for agency projects.

Can I cancel my subscription?

Yes. You can cancel your Premium subscription at any time. You'll retain access until the end of your current billing period. No cancellation fees. For our refund policy, see our Refund Policy page.

Can my company name appear on reports?

Yes — Premium subscribers can add their company name in Profile Settings. It will automatically appear in the header of all premium report PDFs, allowing you to present estimates to clients under your own brand.

// Human Review
What is human review / human verification?

After you save a premium estimate, our team of certified construction estimators reviews the AI output for accuracy, flags anything unusual, and can adjust values based on real-world experience. Once approved, the report is stamped "Human Verified" and signed by the reviewer. You receive an email notification when the review is complete.

How long does human review take?

Standard human review is completed within 24 business hours. For complex or large projects, review may take up to 48 hours. You'll receive an email update with the reviewer's notes when complete.

Who are the human estimators?

Our review team consists of certified construction estimators with 10–20 years of experience in residential, commercial, and industrial construction across the USA, Canada, and UK. All reviewers are vetted and trained on our platform.

// Agency Services
What is the Hire Agency service?

Hire Agency is our full-service estimating option. You submit your project details and drawings, and our human estimators prepare a complete, professional estimate package (BOQ, takeoff, bid proposal, or scope of work) from scratch. Starting at $500 per project. Submit a project →

What documents do I need to provide?

Ideal documents include architectural floor plans, elevations, structural drawings, and specification sheets. However, you can submit a project even without complete drawings — our team will review what you have and advise on what else is needed. If drawings are incomplete, we'll note assumptions in the report.

How does the payment work for agency projects?

We use a 50/50 split model: 50% advance at project start (after scope review and quote acceptance), and 50% final payment on delivery. The 50% advance is non-refundable if the client cancels after work commences or fails to provide drawings within 7 business days.

How long does agency estimation take?

Turnaround depends on project complexity: simple residential projects typically take 2–3 business days, while large commercial projects may take 5–7 business days. Rush delivery is available on request for an additional fee.

// Reports
Can I print or export my estimates?

Yes. All estimates have a "Print / Export PDF" button that generates a professional A4 report with your company branding, cost breakdown tables, and Ximator formatting. The report can be printed directly or saved as a PDF.

Can I share reports with clients?

Yes. Export the report as a PDF and share it directly with your clients. Premium subscribers can add their company name and details so reports appear as coming from your firm — not Ximator. All project data is confidential.

How long are estimates stored?

Estimates are stored in your dashboard indefinitely while your account is active. You can delete individual estimates at any time. If you cancel your subscription, your data is retained for 90 days.

// USA Market
How much does it cost to build a house per square foot in the USA?

National average for new residential construction is $150–$250/sf for standard spec. This varies dramatically by region: California and New York run $250–$450/sf; Texas, Phoenix, and Atlanta average $130–$200/sf. Use our free Blueprint-to-Cost AI to get a city-specific estimate in under 60 seconds.

What is a typical contractor profit margin in the USA?

US general contractors typically price projects at 15–25% gross margin (overhead + profit). Subcontractors in trades like electrical, plumbing, and HVAC typically run 20–35%. Our AI Profit Margin Calculator lets you model your overhead recovery and target net margin for any bid.

Does Ximator cover all US states and cities?

Yes. Our location database covers 40+ US cities with local labor and material cost multipliers — including New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Phoenix, Seattle, Boston, Miami, Denver, Portland, Atlanta, and Austin. For cities not listed, the nearest regional rate is applied.

We also publish state-specific construction cost guides: California, Texas, Florida, New York, Washington, Colorado, Illinois, Georgia, Arizona, Virginia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio, and Michigan.

Can Ximator help with ADU (Accessory Dwelling Unit) cost estimates?

Yes. Our ADU Cost Estimator covers detached backyard cottages, attached ADUs, garage conversions, basement conversions, and above-garage units. It includes construction, permits, utility connections, design fees, and contingency — broken down by US city with California ADU rates specifically modeled.

How do I estimate equipment rental costs for a US construction project?

Our free Equipment Rental Cost Estimator covers 12 equipment types — excavators, skid steers, cranes, boom lifts, dump trucks, generators, and more — with rental duration, fuel, delivery, insurance, and optional operator cost included. Rates are localized by city using AED and RSMeans-aligned data.

What is a CSI MasterFormat cost estimate and why does it matter?

CSI MasterFormat is the standard cost classification system used by US general contractors, architects, and owners. It divides construction costs into numbered divisions (Division 03 Concrete, Division 16 Electrical, etc.). All Ximator premium AI tools output costs in MasterFormat — making your estimates compatible with ProEst, Sage, and standard bid forms.

Can I generate a bid package for a US commercial project?

Yes. Our AI Bid Package Generator creates complete bid packages including instructions to bidders, scope of work, BOQ, drawings list, and subcontractor pricing sheets. Packages are formatted for AIA standards and can be exported to PDF or Excel. For public-sector bids requiring Davis-Bacon wage compliance, use our Agency human review service.

How much do building permits cost in the USA?

Permit fees vary widely by jurisdiction. A $500K commercial project might cost $3,000–$8,000 in permits in Texas but $15,000–$25,000 in California or New York. Our AI Permit Fee Estimator covers 100+ US jurisdictions and includes plan check fees, inspection fees, and school/impact fees where applicable.

Does Ximator integrate with QuickBooks or accounting software?

CSV and Excel exports are available on Premium — these can be imported into QuickBooks, FreshBooks, or any spreadsheet software. Native QuickBooks integration and API access are on our roadmap for Q3 2026. Contact our Agency team if you need a custom integration for your accounting workflow.

Can real estate developers use Ximator for project feasibility analysis?

Yes — our Developer Feasibility & ROI tool is built specifically for this. Enter total project cost, land value, financing terms, and expected revenue. It outputs all-in cost, equity required, debt service, cash-on-cash return, and a go/no-go verdict. Used by residential developers, commercial investors, and multifamily syndicators across the US.

Still have questions?

Our team is available 24h Monday–Friday. We typically respond within a few hours.

Contact support →