Clear Estimates
Start Free Trial
Remodeling Estimating vs. Blueprint-Driven Construction Management

Better Residential Remodeling Estimates — or Blueprint-Driven Construction Management?

4.7 on Google · 4.5 on Capterra

STACK helps contractors transform blueprints into takeoffs, estimates, and profitable bids using cloud-based measurement and estimating tools. Clear Estimates helps residential remodelers transform project ideas, descriptions, blueprints, or photos into homeowner-ready estimates using AI-assisted scope generation and professionally maintained residential cost data.

Start Free Trial →

30-day free trial · No commitment · Cancel anytime

Describe
AI
Estimate
Describe Your Project
Project Description

kitchen-photo.jpg

Image attached

Generate Estimate →
AI Is Building Your Estimate
📊Searching 20+ years of project data...
Matching from 12,000+ parts library...
Applying your custom sizes & materials...
Adjusting for local pricing...
Building line-item breakdown...
Compiling ready-to-send estimate...
Estimate Ready
Demo & Haul-Away$3,200
Plumbing Rough-In$4,750
Cabinetry & Install$12,400
Countertops (Quartz)$5,800
+ 4 more line items...
Total Estimate$43,250
Email to Client
Download PDF
Edit Estimate
50,000+
Contractors Served
20+
Years of Residential Pricing Data
1.5M+
Estimates Produced
400+
Localized Pricing Markets

Trusted by 50,000+ contractors — Featured in

Builder
Remodeling
Deck Builder
JLC
Custom Home
Cost vs. Value

Two Different Approaches to Construction Software

Do you estimate from blueprints — or from remodeling projects? Many remodeling contractors don’t begin every estimate with finished architectural plans. Instead they begin with homeowner conversations, site visits, photos, sketches, rough plans, remodel ideas, and inspection notes. Clear Estimates is optimized for that workflow.

STACK’s approach

Start with the plans

STACK is built around a workflow that moves from construction plans to digital takeoff, to quantity measurement, to estimate, to bid. It gives contractors powerful, purpose-built tools for turning architectural plans into accurate, competitive bids through cloud-based measurement and estimating.

  • Cloud-based digital takeoffs
  • Blueprint measurement
  • Quantity-driven estimating
  • Bid preparation

Clear Estimates’ approach

Start with the project

Clear Estimates is built around a workflow that moves from a project description, images, or template selections straight to AI scope generation with professionally maintained residential pricing, an editable estimate, and a digitally signable homeowner proposal — finished blueprints can be used but are not required to get started.

  • AI-assisted scope creation
  • Residential remodeling expertise
  • Professionally maintained pricing
  • Fast homeowner-ready proposals

Our Philosophy on Estimating Software

Estimating isn’t merely one step in project management — it’s where scope, price, profitability, and the customer’s first major decision come together.

Clear Estimates is purpose-built around that moment. Our software combines AI-assisted scope development with professionally maintained, localized residential cost data so contractors can create estimates they understand, customize, explain, and confidently present. A blueprint-driven takeoff platform can be the right choice for a contractor whose estimating process begins with architectural plans and quantity measurement. A specialized remodeling estimating platform can be the better choice when the work starts with a project description, not a finished plan set.

Which Platform Matches Your Priority?

Core focus of the two platforms

Which Platform Matches Your Priority?: Clear Estimates compared to STACK
FeatureSTACKClear Estimates
Starting Monthly SubscriptionStarting around $299/user/mo for the Premium tier$79/mo Basic · $119/mo Pro
Free Trial / DemoDemo available — confirm current terms30-day free trial
AI-Assisted Scope Generation from Descriptions & PhotosNot includedIncludedPro plan
Digital Blueprint TakeoffsIncludedReadable with AI (Pro plan)
Residential Remodeling Estimating SpecializationBroad takeoff & bidding platform also serving remodelersPurpose-built exclusively for residential remodeling
Quantity Takeoff & Plan MeasurementIncludedNot included
Sophisticated Document ManagementIncludedNot included
Homeowner-Facing ProposalsBuilt for contractor-to-owner bid submissionIncluded

Feature availability and pricing based on publicly available product information as of 2026 and may change — always confirm current details directly with each vendor. Some of STACK’s newer AI-assisted capabilities are available only on its higher-tier Pro plan or as paid add-ons, so it’s worth researching current plan tiers or speaking with a STACK representative to confirm specifics. Rows tagged “Pro plan” on the Clear Estimates side require Clear Estimates Pro ($119/mo) — see plan details below.

Where STACK Excels

STACK is an outstanding solution for contractors whose estimating process begins with architectural plans. Its strengths include digital takeoffs, plan measurement, quantity takeoffs, bid preparation, document management, cloud collaboration, and preconstruction workflows. If your estimating process revolves around measuring plans before producing bids, STACK is a compelling choice.

Why doesn’t Clear Estimates build all of this too?

Because we’re focused on a different starting point: many remodeling contractors never receive fully completed construction drawings. Instead they begin with conversations, sketches, inspection photos, and homeowner ideas. Clear Estimates was designed specifically for that estimating workflow — and it provides a significantly lower-cost path for contractors primarily seeking outstanding residential remodeling estimates, without paying for advanced takeoff technology and document management they may not need.

Where Does the Starting Price Data Come From?

Clear Estimates

Professionally maintained residential material and labor pricing, localized across hundreds of U.S. markets. Ready immediately, continuously maintained, and fully customizable — build and maintain your own complete price catalog if you’d rather price entirely your own way.

STACK

A cloud-based takeoff and estimating system built from plan-driven quantity measurements, cost databases, templates, and company-specific pricing that contractors set up and maintain themselves.

Clear Estimates gives you both options: a professionally maintained residential pricing foundation ready immediately, or a fully custom catalog you build and control yourself. STACK requires contractors to measure plans and build their own pricing system from scratch.

Clear Estimates is one piece of software — the same AI, library, and local pricing handle every project type below. Tap any one to see how it works for your trade.

Choose STACK if:

  • Nearly every estimate begins with completed construction plans
  • Digital takeoffs are central to your workflow
  • Quantity measurement drives your estimating process
  • Bid preparation is your highest priority
  • Your company performs large blueprint-driven projects

Choose Clear Estimates if:

  • You estimate remodeling work
  • Most projects begin with homeowner conversations rather than completed plans
  • You want AI-assisted scope creation
  • You want professionally maintained residential pricing included
  • You want homeowner-ready proposals
  • You prefer transparent pricing beginning at $79/mo instead of a substantially higher entry cost

What contractors are saying

4.7 out of 5

Based on 948 verified reviews across Google, Capterra, G2, and SourceForge

The value is indescribable. Streamlined estimating, accurate measures of market cost, professional proposals.

Steve J.

Remodeling Contractor

This program has helped me and my business become more professional and profitable.

Terry W.

Contractor

Simply makes estimating a clear process. Saves time and money.

John P.

Remodeling Contractor

Choose the plan that fits your business.

Basic

30-Day Free Trial
$79/month

after free trial

  • Unlimited AI estimates
  • Free unlimited support
  • Free 1-on-1 training call
  • No contract or setup fees
  • Cancel anytime
Start Basic Free Trial →

Pro

30-Day Free Trial
$119/month

after free trial

  • Everything in Basic
  • AI Estimating from Images
  • AI Estimating from Blueprints
  • Buildertrend integration
  • Integrate with CRMs
  • Property data from Attom™
Start Pro Free Trial →

+$9/mo per additional user

Try either plan free for 30 days.

Frequently asked questions

Absolutely. STACK is one of the industry’s leading cloud-based takeoff and estimating platforms, particularly for contractors who estimate directly from construction plans. Clear Estimates specializes in residential remodeling estimating.

STACK offers broader project-management capabilities through its platform, but its strongest focus remains digital takeoffs, estimating, and preconstruction workflows. Clear Estimates intentionally focuses on residential estimating rather than replacing every operational system.

Not entirely. STACK includes advanced takeoff technology, plan and document management, and preconstruction collaboration capabilities. Clear Estimates focuses specifically on residential estimating.

Clear Estimates has a narrower implementation scope because it focuses primarily on estimating. STACK supports a broader takeoff and preconstruction workflow spanning plan measurement, bidding, and document management.

Clear Estimates focuses on solving one problem exceptionally well: creating dependable residential remodeling estimates. STACK includes advanced takeoff technology, document management, and broader preconstruction workflows, which contribute to its higher starting price. The right solution depends on whether your business is driven primarily by blueprint takeoffs or residential remodeling estimating.

Clear Estimates is the stronger fit when your work starts with a project description, photos, or rough sketches rather than finished architectural plans. STACK remains an excellent choice when your projects begin with completed construction drawings and need to flow into quantity takeoffs and bid preparation.

See what estimating looks like when you start from the project, not the plans.

Blueprint-driven takeoffs and bidding, or residential remodeling estimating — choose the software built for the way you work.