Instant Roof Measurements in 10 Seconds
BuildFolio uses Google Solar API to deliver satellite roof measurements instantly. No per-report fees, no 15-minute waits. Just enter an address and get accurate measurements for 472+ million buildings.
Quick Answer
BuildFolio provides instant satellite roof measurements using Google Solar API. Enter any U.S. address and receive roof area, pitch estimate, and high-resolution imagery in about 10 seconds. This is included in your subscription with no per-report fees.
How satellite roof measurements work
Getting roof measurements through BuildFolio is simple. Here’s the process:
Enter Address
Type any U.S. property address
API Query
BuildFolio queries Google Solar API
Get Results
Receive measurements in ~10 seconds
Use in Estimate
Embed directly in Living Estimates
What you receive
- Total roof area: Square footage of all roof surfaces
- Roof segment breakdown: Individual sections with measurements
- Pitch estimate: Slope calculation for pricing adjustments
- Satellite imagery: High-resolution aerial photo of the property
- Building footprint: Property boundaries and structure outline
No per-report fees
Unlike EagleView or RoofSnap, BuildFolio’s satellite measurements are included in your subscription. Run as many measurements as you need — there’s no incremental cost per property.
What is Google Solar API?
Google Solar API is a service from Google that provides detailed rooftop data for buildings across the United States. Originally developed to help solar installers assess roof suitability, the API provides:
- Roof geometry and dimensions from high-resolution satellite imagery
- Sun exposure data and shading analysis
- Building footprint and property boundaries
- Historical imagery for change detection
Google has mapped over 472 million buildings in the United States, making this the most comprehensive roof measurement database available. The data is updated regularly as Google refreshes its satellite imagery.
Why Google Solar API?
We chose Google Solar API because:
- Coverage: 99%+ of U.S. residential addresses are covered
- Speed: Results return in seconds, not minutes
- Accuracy: Machine learning algorithms deliver 2-5% accuracy
- Reliability: Backed by Google’s infrastructure
- Cost: Volume pricing allows us to include it in subscriptions
Measurement accuracy
Google Solar API delivers measurements with 2-5% accuracy for most residential roofs. This is comparable to drone measurements and sufficient for quoting purposes.
Factors affecting accuracy
- Roof complexity: Simple hip and gable roofs measure most accurately
- Image recency: Newer satellite imagery provides better results
- Vegetation: Tree cover can obscure roof edges
- Building age: Very new construction may not be mapped yet
When to verify on-site
For complex roofs, precise material ordering, or commercial properties, we recommend verifying measurements on-site. Satellite data is ideal for quoting but may need adjustment for final material calculations.
Accuracy comparison
| Measurement Method | Accuracy | Time | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manual (tape measure) | 1-2% | 30-60 min | Labor time |
| Drone measurement | 1-3% | 15-30 min | $50-150/report |
| EagleView | 2-3% | 24-48 hours | $25-50/report |
| RoofSnap | 3-5% | 15-20 min | $15-30/report |
| BuildFolio (Google Solar) | 2-5% | 10 seconds | Included |
Comparison to alternatives
Here’s how BuildFolio’s satellite measurements compare to other roof measurement options:
| Feature | BuildFolio | EagleView | RoofSnap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Measurement time | 10 seconds | 24-48 hours | 15-20 min |
| Per-report cost | $0 (included) | $25-50 | $15-30 |
| Accuracy | 2-5% | 2-3% | 3-5% |
| Building coverage | 472M+ | Most U.S. | Most U.S. |
| Integrates with estimates | Yes (Living Estimates) | Export PDF | Export PDF |
| Includes CRM | Yes | No | No |
| Includes estimating | Yes (AI) | No | No |
Integration with Living Estimates
The real power of BuildFolio’s satellite measurements is how they integrate with the rest of your workflow. When you pull roof measurements, they automatically feed into:
Living Estimates
Satellite imagery embeds directly into your Living Estimates. Customers see their own roof and understand exactly what you’re quoting.
AI Estimating
Roof measurements feed into BuildFolio’s AI estimating engine, which calculates material quantities and generates pricing automatically.
Material Calculations
Square footage, waste factor, and pitch adjustments flow into material calculations for accurate ordering.
Job Records
Measurements are stored with the job record for reference during production, change orders, and warranty claims.
Frequently asked questions
How accurate are satellite roof measurements?
Google Solar API provides measurements with 2-5% accuracy for most residential roofs. This is sufficient for quoting and comparable to drone measurements. For precise material ordering, you may want to verify complex roofs on-site.
What areas does Google Solar API cover?
Google Solar API covers over 472 million buildings across the United States. Coverage is strongest in suburban and urban areas. Rural properties and very new construction may have limited coverage.
Is there a cost per roof measurement?
No. Satellite roof measurements are included in your BuildFolio subscription. Unlike EagleView or RoofSnap, there are no per-report fees. Run as many measurements as you need.
How fast do I get results?
Results typically return in about 10 seconds. This is dramatically faster than EagleView (24-48 hours) or RoofSnap (15-20 minutes of manual tracing).
Does it work for commercial buildings?
Google Solar API is optimized for residential buildings. Commercial buildings may have coverage, but accuracy can vary for large, complex structures. We recommend verifying commercial measurements on-site.
Can I see the satellite image?
Yes. BuildFolio displays the satellite imagery alongside measurements. You can also embed this imagery into your Living Estimates so customers can see their own roof.
What if a property isn’t covered?
For properties not in the Google Solar API database (very rare), you can manually enter measurements or upload your own drone/manual measurements. BuildFolio supports all input methods.
How does this compare to EagleView?
BuildFolio’s satellite measurements are faster (10 seconds vs 24-48 hours), cheaper (included vs $25-50/report), and integrated into your estimate workflow. See our EagleView comparison for details.
Related Roofing Resources
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