Show Customers Exactly What They’re Getting
Material cards add product photos to your estimates. Display shingles, cabinets, fixtures, and equipment with 16:9 images that customers can browse and select.
Quick Answer
Material cards are visual product displays in your estimates. Upload 16:9 photos of the materials you install — shingles, cabinets, fixtures, equipment — so customers can browse options and see prices in swipeable galleries.
What are material cards?
Material cards are visual product displays embedded in your Living Estimates. Instead of listing “GAF Timberline HDZ” in plain text, you show a beautiful photo of the shingle with color options, specifications, and pricing.
Customers browse material cards like they shop online. They can swipe through options, compare colors, and see exactly what they’re buying before making a decision. This visual approach transforms abstract product names into tangible choices.
Visual Product Display
High-quality photos show customers exactly what they’re getting. No more explaining what “architectural shingle” means — they can see it.
Swipeable Galleries
Customers swipe through color and style options on their phone or tablet. It feels like online shopping, not reading a contract.
Price Comparison
Each card shows the price difference between options. Customers see the upgrade cost immediately when browsing premium materials.
Selection Built-In
Customers make their selection right in the estimate. Their choice is recorded, and the total price updates automatically.
How to create material cards
Building your material card library takes some initial setup, but once complete, you can add any product to a estimate with one click. Here’s how the process works:
Upload Photos
Add product images to your library
Add Details
Name, specs, pricing for each option
Organize Cards
Group into categories and tiers
Add to Estimates
One-click insert into any quote
Where to get product photos
- Manufacturer websites: Most suppliers offer downloadable product images
- Distributor portals: Many have image libraries for contractors
- Your own photos: Take photos of installed work or showroom samples
- BuildFolio library: We include common products pre-loaded
Start with your top 20 products
You don’t need to photograph everything you sell. Start with the 20 products you quote most often. Build your library over time as you add new materials or suppliers.
16:9 photo format explained
Material cards use a 16:9 aspect ratio — the same format as widescreen TVs and YouTube videos. This format looks professional on phones, tablets, and computers without awkward cropping or stretching.
Why 16:9 matters
- Consistent display: All cards look uniform regardless of original photo dimensions
- Mobile-optimized: 16:9 fills phone screens beautifully in landscape mode
- Professional appearance: Customers associate this format with quality content
- Easy sourcing: Most manufacturer images are already 16:9 or close
Photo tips for best results
- Use the highest resolution image available
- Crop to 16:9 before uploading if needed
- Show the product clearly without excessive staging
- Use consistent lighting across your library
- Include color swatches when relevant
Material card examples by trade
Different trades use material cards for different products. Here’s what contractors in each category typically include in their libraries:
🛰 Roofing
- Shingle colors and styles
- Underlayment options
- Ridge vent products
- Skylight models
- Gutter protection
❄ HVAC
- Furnace models
- AC unit options
- Heat pump systems
- Thermostat brands
- Air purifiers
🚿 Plumbing
- Water heater types
- Faucet styles
- Toilet models
- Sink options
- Garbage disposals
⚡ Electrical
- Panel options
- EV charger models
- Generator units
- Lighting fixtures
- Smart switches
🏠 Remodeling
- Cabinet door styles
- Countertop samples
- Tile patterns
- Flooring options
- Hardware finishes
🎨 General
- Paint colors
- Window styles
- Door options
- Siding materials
- Deck boards
How visual options support an informed choice
Material cards make differences between basic and premium options concrete. Use your own estimate data to measure whether that changes option selection or average ticket size.
Why visual comparison drives upgrades
When a customer reads “3-tab shingle vs. architectural shingle,” the difference is abstract. When they see photos side-by-side — the flat, uniform look vs. the dimensional, textured appearance — the upgrade sells itself.
The same psychology applies across trades. A homeowner looking at a standard tank water heater next to a sleek tankless unit often chooses the upgrade. A customer comparing builder-grade cabinets to soft-close shaker cabinets frequently pays the difference.
The “Better” tier sweet spot
A Good/Better/Best layout can make tradeoffs easier to understand. Do not assume which tier customers will choose; track selections in your own estimates and adjust the options based on that evidence.
Frequently asked questions
What image format should I upload?
JPG or PNG files work best. We recommend at least 1920×1080 pixels for crisp display on all devices. Larger images are automatically optimized for fast loading.
Can I use manufacturer product photos?
Yes. Most manufacturers provide product images for contractor use. Download them from manufacturer websites, distributor portals, or request them from your sales rep. BuildFolio also includes a library of common products.
How many material cards should I create?
Start with your 20 most-quoted products. Most contractors build a library of 30-50 material cards over time, covering the products they regularly install. You don’t need to photograph everything — just your core offerings.
How do customers view material cards on mobile?
Material cards display in a swipeable gallery format on phones and tablets. Customers can swipe left/right to browse options and tap to see details. The 16:9 format fills mobile screens beautifully.
Can I organize cards into tiers?
Yes. Group material cards into Good/Better/Best tiers or any custom categories. When customers browse, they see options organized by tier with pricing clearly displayed for each level.
Do material cards work with Presentation Mode?
Yes. Material cards are designed to work with Presentation Mode. Walk customers through options on your iPad, swipe through galleries together, and close deals at the kitchen table.
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