Frequently asked questions

No. EstimateGenie works without signup. Just select your service category, provide job details, and get your estimate immediately. You only need an account if you want to save estimates or track multiple jobs.

You'll need to describe your job, provide your location (for travel calculations), and ideally upload photos. The more details you provide, the more accurate your estimate will be. Required information varies by service category.

Most estimates are generated in under 2 minutes. The process is immediate once you submit your job details. Complex jobs with many photos may take slightly longer to analyze.

Yes. Creating estimates is completely free. There are no hidden fees, subscription costs, or charges for using the estimate tool. We make money by connecting you with vendors through VendorNet.

Currently, we support Moving, Appliance Repair, Handyman Services, Lawn Care, Junk Removal, and Plumbing. We're actively adding HVAC, Electrical, Painting, Roofing, Cleaning, Pest Control, Locksmith, and Window Cleaning services.

78% of actual job costs fall within our estimated range, and 92% are within 20% of the final cost. Accuracy depends on the quality of information provided and job complexity. See our How It Works page for methodology details.

No. EstimateGenie provides informational price ranges based on market data, not binding quotes. Actual costs depend on vendor pricing, final scope agreements, unforeseen complications, and material availability. Always get formal quotes from vendors before committing to work.

Service jobs have inherent variability. Different vendors have different pricing, jobs may reveal hidden issues, and material choices affect costs. A range gives you realistic expectations rather than false precision. The low end assumes straightforward work; the high end accounts for complications.

The confidence score (0-100%) indicates how much data we have for similar jobs. Higher scores (70-100%) mean we have strong historical data. Lower scores (40-70%) suggest more variability or unique job characteristics. Jobs with photos and detailed descriptions typically score higher.

Yes, but estimates without photos typically have lower confidence scores and wider price ranges. Photos help us assess job complexity, access issues, material requirements, and potential complications more accurately.

Estimates are valid for 30 days. After that, market conditions, material costs, and seasonal factors may have changed. You can always create a new estimate if needed.

Yes. You can email yourself a copy of the estimate with all details and breakdowns. You can also share it with vendors when requesting quotes to help them provide more accurate pricing faster.

After receiving your estimate, you'll see a "Find Vendors" button that connects you to VendorNet. VendorNet shows you qualified vendors in your area who can complete your job. You can also visit Find a Vendor directly.

Only if you choose to share it. When contacting vendors through VendorNet, you can optionally share your estimate to help them provide more accurate quotes. Your estimate and job details remain private unless you explicitly share them.

We recommend getting quotes from 3-5 vendors for most jobs. This gives you a good sense of market pricing and lets you compare service offerings, availability, and vendor qualifications.

Yes. VendorNet vendors must provide business licenses, insurance information, and references. We verify credentials and track performance through customer feedback. However, you should always verify licensing and insurance for your specific job.

We're continuously expanding our vendor network. If no vendors are available in your area, you can request service coverage, and we'll notify you when vendors join your region. You can also use your estimate to contact local vendors directly.

Only if you provide your contact information when requesting quotes. EstimateGenie doesn't share your information without permission. You control when and how vendors can reach you.

Estimates typically include labor, basic materials, travel/trip charges, and standard service fees. The breakdown shows how each component contributes to the total. Exclusions (like permits, specialty materials, or disposal fees) are noted separately.

Actual costs may exceed estimates due to: unforeseen complications discovered during work, scope changes you request, premium materials or rush service, difficult access requiring special equipment, or vendor-specific pricing strategies. Always discuss scope and pricing with vendors before work begins.

Costs may be lower if: the job is simpler than described, vendors offer promotional pricing, you provide materials yourself, the job is combined with other work, or you choose economy options. Some vendors also offer discounts for cash payment or off-peak scheduling.

Estimates show pre-tax pricing. Sales tax rates vary by location and service type. Vendors will include applicable taxes in their formal quotes. Some services may be tax-exempt in certain jurisdictions.

EstimateGenie estimates include all standard costs we can predict. However, some fees (like permits, disposal, parking, or after-hours charges) depend on local requirements and vendor policies. Always ask vendors about potential additional fees when getting quotes.

We collect job details, location (for pricing calculations), photos (if provided), and contact information (if you choose to connect with vendors). We don't require personal information to create estimates. See our Privacy Policy for complete details.

Yes. All data is encrypted in transit (HTTPS) and at rest. We use industry-standard security practices to protect your information. We don't sell your data to third parties. Job details are only shared with vendors you explicitly choose to contact.

Yes. If you create an account, you can delete it and all associated data at any time. For estimates created without an account, data is automatically purged after 90 days. Contact us at [email protected] for data deletion requests.

Photos are only used to generate your estimate and are only shared with vendors you explicitly choose to contact. We don't use photos for marketing or share them publicly without your permission. Photos are stored securely and deleted after 90 days.

EstimateGenie works on all modern browsers (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge) on desktop, tablet, and mobile devices. The interface is mobile-first, making it easy to create estimates from your phone at the job site.

No. EstimateGenie requires an internet connection to access pricing data and generate estimates. However, you can save estimates to your device for offline viewing after they're created.

We support JPG, PNG, HEIC (iPhone), and WebP formats. Maximum file size is 10MB per photo. You can upload up to 10 photos per estimate. Photos are automatically compressed for faster processing.

Large photos, slow internet connections, or complex jobs with many details can increase processing time. Most estimates complete in under 2 minutes. If it takes longer than 5 minutes, try refreshing the page or contact support.

You can't edit existing estimates, but you can create a new estimate with updated information. This ensures accuracy and maintains a clear record of your original request.

Visit VendorNet.net/join to create a vendor profile. You'll need business licenses, insurance information, and service area details. Basic profiles are free; premium tiers offer enhanced features and lead priority.

When customers create estimates and request vendor connections, qualified vendors in their service area receive lead notifications. Leads include the estimate, job details, photos, and customer contact preferences. You can accept or decline leads based on your capacity.

No. Estimates are informational ranges, not binding prices. You provide your own quotes based on your assessment, pricing strategy, and business needs. However, quotes significantly outside the estimate range may require explanation to customers.

Lead pricing varies by service category and subscription tier. Free tier vendors receive limited leads. Pro tier ($19-49/month) includes 5-10 leads. Premium tier ($99-199/month) includes 20-50 leads plus priority placement. See pricing details.

Yes! Vendor feedback helps us improve estimate accuracy. After completing jobs, you can report actual costs, which helps refine our algorithms. This benefits the entire vendor network by improving customer expectations.