Frequently Asked Questions
What are the document readability and estimate completeness scores?
Every estimate is scored on two separate things: document readability (how clearly we could read the file itself — scan quality, resolution, legibility) and estimate completeness(given what we could read, how complete the drawing's own specifications are for a reliable material takeoff). A score is not a guarantee that percentage of the estimate is correct — it reflects how much required information was resolved versus assumed, derived, ambiguous, or missing.
Below 75%on either score, we don't deliver a BOM, totals, or preliminary quantities at all — you're emailed an issues report automatically and invited to resubmit corrected or more complete drawings at no charge (this doesn't use your complimentary reload).
75–89%: your estimate is delivered, stating plainly that it contains material unresolved inputs.
90–99%: delivered as a high-confidence preliminary estimate — this is not a certified or independently confirmed result, so review the remaining items before relying on it.
100%:all required inputs were present and readable, with no known material information missing — our standard preliminary-estimate disclaimer still applies, and this is never a substitute for a licensed quantity surveyor's review before procurement.
Every delivered estimate (75% and above) includes an Assumptions, Flags & Corrections report covering what was read directly, what was derived or assumed, what's missing or ambiguous, how we compensated, how each item could affect quantity or cost, and what to provide for a more precise re-run. Every delivered estimate also comes with one complimentary reload, so if you have more complete drawings you can resubmit once at no additional cost.
How long does an estimate take?
Our target is to deliver estimates within 1 business day of submission — combining automated processing and Altaf's manual review. This is a typical timeframe, not a guaranteed delivery time; larger or more complex projects, or high submission volume, can take longer. You'll be notified by email as soon as your estimate is ready.
What file formats do you accept, and how can I get a better readability score?
PDF, DWG, and DXF architectural drawings. For the best readability score, upload vector PDFs exported directly from your CAD software rather than scanned photos or low-resolution images — if you must scan a paper drawing, use at least 300 DPI.
How does white-label output work?
Your estimate is branded with your company name, logo, and colours — not Sigmatake's branding — so you can present it directly to your clients, after being reviewed by an accredited professional. See our Terms of Service for details.
What provinces do you cover?
All 13 Canadian provinces and territories, with province-specific pricing multipliers and applicable tax rates (HST, GST+PST, GST+QST).