Easy Free 15 minutes
How to Set Up Photo-Based Quoting
Let customers send photos for quick estimates without an on-site visit.
What You'll Need
- A smartphone
- A way to receive photos (text, email, or form)
- Your typical pricing structure
Steps
1
Decide which services qualify for photo quotes
Not every job can be quoted from a photo.
- Good for photos: Surface-level work (painting, fencing, landscaping, deck staining)
- Sometimes works: Visible repairs, mulching, pressure washing
- Usually needs a visit: Electrical, plumbing inside walls, complex HVAC
- Make a list of services you can quote from photos
Tip: Photo quotes work best for visual, straightforward work.
2
Create a simple submission method
Make it easy for customers to send photos.
- Simplest: Give them your phone number for text photos
- Better: Create a Google Form that accepts photo uploads
- Or: Add a 'Send Photos for Quote' form to your website
- Typeform (free tier) makes nice photo upload forms
3
Tell them what to photograph
Good photos = accurate quotes.
- Create a short guide: 'For the best quote, please send...'
- Include: Wide shot of the whole area, close-up of any problem spots, measurements if possible
- Ask for context: age of home, last time work was done, timeline
- Add this guidance wherever you request photos
Tip: Ask for photos in good lighting. Dark photos = bad estimates.
4
Set expectations about accuracy
Protect yourself from misquotes.
- Always say: 'This is an estimate based on photos. Final price may vary after on-site inspection.'
- Include: 'Price assumes standard conditions. Complex situations may cost more.'
- For big jobs, say the photo quote is a 'range' not a fixed price
5
Respond quickly with a range
Speed beats perfection.
- Aim to respond within 2-4 hours
- Give a range: 'Based on the photos, this typically runs $X-$Y'
- Offer to confirm with a quick site visit
- Include your next availability
Tip: A fast approximate quote beats a slow precise one. You can refine later.
You're Done!
You can now give quick estimates from photos! This speeds up your sales process significantly.
Pro Tips
- • Use ChatGPT's vision feature to help analyze photos and suggest talking points
- • Save common photo quote templates for similar jobs
- • Track your photo quote accuracy — adjust your ranges based on actual job costs
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