5 December, 2024

The Top 5 Job Estimation Software Solutions for Restorers in 2025

Leighton Healey

Staying ahead in the restoration industry often means embracing the latest technology—and for many restorers, that starts with upgrading their estimating software. The right tools cut through confusing workflows, making claims simpler and faster than ever before.

To find out which estimating tools actually deliver, we surveyed a wide range of restorers—from small independents to major market leaders—for our 2024 C&R State of the Industry Report. Their feedback shines a light on the estimating software currently winning the market.

In this article, we reveal the top 5 estimating software solutions, each vetted and endorsed by restorers who depend on them every day.

Ready to see which estimating tools are making the biggest impact? Here are the top 5 solutions that restorers are choosing for smoother, faster claims.

Need a Quick Summary?

Here's our list of the top 5 estimating software chosen by restorers for 2025, based on our 2024 C&R State of the Industry Report:

Read the full article below for a detailed description of each estimation software and their respective features.

Xactimate

You might have already seen this coming, but Xactimate, developed by Verisk, continues to lead the restoration estimating software industry for the second year in a row. It's the preferred choice for restorers looking for a comprehensive solution for property claims estimation. Xactimate helps businesses calculate depreciation, manage projects, and access local pricing research.

Key Features & Benefits

Up-to-date, Localized Pricing Database: Xactimate keeps you updated on monthly cost data specific to the postal codes of your claims. This means you always have your region's latest and most relevant pricing information.
Comprehensive Estimation Tools: Xactimate offers an all-in-one platform for estimating, sketching, and managing claims efficiently, streamlining the estimation process.
Seamless Integrations: Xactimate’s integrations with major industry software, such as Phoenix Drylink, Hover, Next Gear Solutions, Matterport, PSA, and others, enhance your workflow and ensure a cohesive and efficient process.

CoreLogic Claims Connect

Dubbed “a better way to keep claims moving forward,” CoreLogic Claims is up three spots from last year to second place this year. Celebrated for enhancing transparency and simplicity in the claims process, this all-in-one platform simplifies tasks from estimate creation to invoicing. Corelogic keeps everyone “involved in the claims process up-to-date with the information they need, when they need it, making your claims resolutions simpler, faster, and more efficient.”

Key Features & Benefits

Real-Time Updates: Offers claim updates in real-time, enhancing transparency and client satisfaction throughout the claims process.
Virtual Diagramming: Advanced diagramming capabilities allow users to draw rooms, diagrams, roofs, and elevations to represent risk and potential loss.
Intuitive User Interface: Easy to integrate, train, and use. Virtually eliminating the cost of change and creating enormous benefits for carriers, adjusters, contractors, and policyholders alike.

T&M Pro

T&M Pro is a premier billing and data management system developed for the property loss industry. It's specifically crafted to tackle the intricacies of Time and Material, Rate and Material, and Cost Plus billing methods—or even a seamless combination of them all. With T&M Pro, you can effortlessly navigate the most challenging projects, ensuring accurate, consistent, and transparent billing, resulting in efficient project completion every time.

Key Features & Benefits

Paperless Field Capture: T&M Pro users can capture field data with this innovative application and then upload the files directly into T&M Pro.
Versatile customization: T&M Pro is designed to allow customization that fits even the most complex projects. Users can create as many price lists and project settings files as they need to align with any project or contract!
Seamless Estimation Process: The T&M Estimator, a key suite component, simplifies the creation of detailed estimates or ROMs (Rough Order of Magnitudes). It harnesses T&M Pro's industry-leading features to streamline the estimation process.

QuickBooks

QuickBooks prides itself on being the “smart, simple online accounting software for small businesses,” and that’s not far-fetched. It’s popular among contractors because of its ease of use and convenience for creating budget-friendly restoration and remodeling quotes. Although QuickBooks might not be your top choice for detailed restoration estimates and insurance claims, it shines at essential tasks like invoicing and financial management—making it an indispensable tool for keeping your business's finances in impeccable order.

Key Features & Benefits

Intuitive Interface: Features a user-friendly interface, making navigation and operation easy, even for those who aren't experts in accounting or estimations.
Insights and Reports: See how your business is doing and project how it could look in the next 90 days with a range of popular reports and the cash flow planner.
Multicurrency Support: Send invoices, record transactions, adjust reports in different currencies, and assign currencies to different customers.

Excel

Excel continues to be a reliable option for restorers who prefer a customizable and flexible estimating tool without a hefty price tag. While it’s not restoration-specific, Excel’s robust data analysis capabilities—and the innovative power of Microsoft Copilot—make it a versatile choice for building accurate estimates. Admittedly, there’s a learning curve to using Excel efficiently for above-the-board estimates, but once mastered, it can be a game-changer. Whether you're a startup aiming to keep overhead low or an established company seeking a flexible tool that grows with your business, Excel stands out as a reliable and powerful choice for your estimating needs.

Key Features & Benefits

Custom Templates: Design your estimating sheets tailored to your processes, giving you full control over layout and calculations.
AI Integration: Effortlessly analyze, interpret, and visualize your data using Microsoft Copilot—Microsoft's generative AI tool that simplifies your data journey.
Cost-Effective Solution: An affordable option for startups and small businesses looking to minimize overhead.
Widespread Compatibility: Easily share and collaborate on estimates with clients and team members familiar with Excel.

Conclusion:

At the heart of every successful restoration project is both the skill of the team and the tools they wield. The right estimating software can take your business to new heights of efficiency, accuracy, and client satisfaction. Simplifying operations in a CAT 3 mitigation scenario is every restorer's dream, and these tools can be your first step to achieving that goal.

Each estimating software mentioned above brings unique strengths to the table, but the right choice depends on your needs and how your team operates.

Whatever tool you use, ensure you pick the estimation software that resonates with your specific needs, challenges, and how your team works best.

But remember, even the best software won’t deliver its full potential without a team that knows how to use it. That's where quality training comes in—investing in it ensures you get the most out of your chosen tools and sets your team up for success.

To enhance your software training, consider leveraging KnowHow, a trusted tool for workforce training and upskilling in the restoration industry. With hundreds of templates covering key software like Restoration Manager, Dash, PSA, and Xcelerate, KnowHow ensures your employees have the guidance they need to succeed both on the job site and in the office.