What Are Aerial Roof Measurement Tools?
Aerial roof measurement tools use overhead imagery — from satellites, aircraft, or drones — to calculate roof area, pitch, and surface features without climbing the roof. These tools have transformed the roofing industry by enabling remote measurement, faster estimating, and safer workflows.
Types of Aerial Measurement Technology
There are three categories of aerial roof measurement, each with different tradeoffs:
- Satellite imagery — Uses existing satellite photos to measure roofs remotely. Fastest and cheapest option. No equipment needed. Examples: SquaresForSales, Roofr.
- Aircraft imagery — Uses high-resolution photos captured from low-flying aircraft. Most detailed measurements available. Example: EagleView.
- Drone imagery — Contractor flies their own drone to capture photos, then processes them with photogrammetry software. Good for properties with tree coverage or unusual shapes. Example: DroneDeploy.
Choosing the Right Aerial Tool
- For speed and volume — Satellite tools like SquaresForSales deliver results in seconds, making them ideal for contractors who measure multiple roofs daily.
- For maximum detail — Aircraft tools like EagleView provide the most detailed reports with ridge, valley, and hip measurements — required for some insurance work.
- For complex properties — Drone tools like DroneDeploy give you full control over imagery capture, useful for properties with heavy tree coverage or unusual architecture.
- For budget-conscious contractors — Satellite tools generally offer the best value at volume. SquaresForSales is a flat $50/month with unlimited measurements and no per-report fees.
Accuracy Comparison
All aerial measurement methods are significantly faster than manual measurement. Accuracy on any given roof depends on imagery resolution, roof complexity, and tree coverage, so blanket accuracy percentages are best treated with skepticism. As a rule of thumb:
Satellite tools (SquaresForSales, Roofr) — Work from existing satellite imagery. Best for estimating and bidding.
Aircraft tools (EagleView) — Use higher-resolution imagery captured from low-flying aircraft. Best for insurance documentation and final bids.
Drone tools (DroneDeploy) — Use fresh, contractor-captured imagery at very high resolution. Best for complex commercial roofs and when maximum detail is needed.
Popular Roof Measurement Software
SquaresForSales
Instant satellite roof measurements. Enter an address, get roof area in squares in seconds. Includes branded PDF reports and LeadSnap widget.
- ✓ Instant automated results
- ✓ Unlimited measurements
- ✓ Branded PDF reports
- ✓ LeadSnap embeddable widget
- ✓ Mobile-first design
EagleView
Industry-standard aerial roof measurement using high-resolution aircraft imagery. Most detailed reports available.
- ✓ Aircraft-quality imagery
- ✓ Ridge/valley/hip measurements
- ✓ Waste factor calculations
- ✓ Insurance-accepted format
Roofr
Satellite-based roof measurement with CRM integration and lead capture. Reports reviewed for accuracy.
- ✓ Satellite measurements
- ✓ Professional reports
- ✓ CRM integrations
- ✓ Lead capture pages
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Software | Method | Report Type | Price | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| SquaresForSales | Satellite (automated) | Instant estimates + PDFs | $50/mo unlimited | Speed + value |
| EagleView | Aircraft imagery | Detailed diagrams | Per-report fees | Insurance claims |
| Roofr | Satellite (reviewed) | Measurement reports | Monthly subscription | CRM + reports |
| DroneDeploy | Drone imagery | 3D models + measurements | Monthly subscription | Complex commercial |
| Hover | Smartphone photos | 3D property models | Monthly subscription | 3D visualization |
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most accurate aerial roof measurement tool?
Detail generally tracks imagery resolution: drone-based tools like DroneDeploy capture the freshest, highest-resolution imagery, aircraft-based tools like EagleView are the standard for detailed reports, and satellite tools like SquaresForSales are widely used for estimating and bidding. Accuracy on any given roof also depends on roof complexity and tree coverage.
Which aerial tool is cheapest?
SquaresForSales charges a flat $50/month for unlimited satellite measurements, with branded PDF reports and the LeadSnap widget included — your cost per measurement falls the more you use it. EagleView bills per report, and Roofr and DroneDeploy are subscriptions; check each vendor's site for current pricing.
Do I need a drone to measure roofs aerially?
No. Satellite-based tools like SquaresForSales and EagleView use existing satellite or aircraft imagery — no drone required. You only need an internet connection and a web browser.
Can aerial tools measure roof pitch?
Yes. SquaresForSales and EagleView both estimate roof pitch from aerial data. EagleView provides the most detailed pitch information per facet.
Which aerial tool is best for mobile?
SquaresForSales is the most mobile-friendly option, built as a web app that works in any phone browser. EagleView and Roofr are primarily desktop platforms.
Try SquaresForSales Free for 7 Days
Unlimited roof measurements, branded PDF reports, and the LeadSnap widget — $0 due today, cancel anytime.
Start Free Trial$0 today. Cancel anytime.