Cost Estimation

What It Does

The Renovation Cost Estimation feature uses AI (RAI) to analyze the before and after renovation images in your project and automatically generate a detailed cost breakdown. It lists the materials needed, estimated material costs, optional labor costs, and a total project cost range — all tailored to your location.

How to Access It

Canvas → Renovate Step → After generating a renovation → "Get Cost Estimate" button

Once you have an accepted renovation output in your project, a Get Cost Estimate button appears. Clicking it triggers the AI to analyze the before/after images and produce the estimate.

You can also access previously saved estimates by going to: Canvas → Project → Saved Cost Estimates

Step-by-Step: How to Use Cost Estimation

Step 1 — Generate a Renovation First

You must have a completed renovation output in your project.

The AI compares your original uploaded photo with the renovated output to understand what changed.

Step 2 — Set Your Location

At the top of the Cost Estimation page, your location is displayed (e.g., "New York, NY, US").

Click on the location to open the Location Selector.

Choose your Country, State, and City.

Click Apply Changes.

Location affects material pricing — prices will update to reflect regional averages for your selected area.

Step 3 — Trigger Cost Estimation

Click Get Cost Estimate (or the equivalent button on your project).

A loading screen appears with a progress bar and rotating status messages (e.g., "Analyzing renovation changes…", "Looking up current material prices…").

Estimation typically takes 15–60 seconds.

When complete, a "Cost Estimate is Ready!" dialog appears. Click View Estimate to open the results.

Step 4 — Review the Cost Breakdown

The Cost Overview page shows:

Summary Header

Before and after images side by side (with an interactive slider to compare them)

Total estimated cost range (Min–Max in your local currency)

RAI Confidence score (e.g., "85% confident")

Location displayed with option to change

Materials List Each detected renovation component appears as a card showing:

Material name (e.g., "Hardwood Flooring", "Paint", "Kitchen Cabinets")

Status badge (e.g., Available, Unavailable, Price Not Found)

Estimated cost range for that material

Expandable Details section per material (see below)

Confidence Details Panel

Click to expand and see what factors influenced RAI's confidence score

Factors shown: Image Quality, Material Identification, Scope Clarity, Pricing Data

Lists specific Strengths and Uncertainties RAI identified

Step 5 — Customize & Adjust the Estimate

Edit Material Prices

Each material card has an editable price field.

Click the price to type in a custom value if you have a real quote.

Edited prices update the total automatically.

Toggle Labor Costs

Each material has a Details section with a Labor toggle.

Enable the toggle to include professional labor cost for that material.

RAI will calculate the labor cost or you can enter your own figure.

You can also edit the calculated labor cost manually.

DIY Mode (Tools & Materials)

If you plan to do the work yourself, expand the Details section under a material.

You'll see a list of suggested tools and materials needed (e.g., paintbrushes, rollers, primer).

Select the items you'll need — selected items add to your total DIY cost.

You can edit the cost of individual tools and materials.

Add Notes to a Material

In the Details section of any material, click Add Note.

Write reminders, questions, contractor info, or links (up to 500 characters).

Notes do not affect the estimate total — they're just for your reference.

Add a Custom Component

Click \+ Add Component at the bottom of the materials list.

Fill in:

Component name (required)

Quantity (optional, e.g., "2 gallons")

Component cost (required)

Labor cost (optional)

DIY Tools & Materials (optional)

Click Add Component to add it to the estimate.

Refresh Material Prices

If prices seem outdated or you've changed location, click Refresh Prices.

RAI re-fetches current regional pricing for all materials.

Step 6 — Save the Estimate

Click Save Estimate to save the current estimate to your project.

Saved estimates appear in the Saved Cost Estimates page for that project.

You can save multiple versions (e.g., one with labor, one DIY-only).

Step 7 — Export as PDF

Click Download PDF (or the PDF icon/button).

A loading modal appears while the PDF is generated (typically 15–30 seconds).

The PDF includes:

Before and after images

Full materials breakdown with costs

Labor costs (if enabled)

Total cost range

Location and date

The PDF downloads to your device automatically.

Updated on: 18/03/2026