Aerial roof estimation system and method

Abstract

A system that allows the remote measurement of the size, geometry, pitch and orientation of the roof sections of a building and then uses the information to provide an estimate to repair or replace the roof, or to install equipment thereon. The system includes an aerial image file database that shows aerial images of buildings in a designated area according to address. The slope and orientation images are typically oblique perspective views and top plan views of the buildings in the area. The system also includes an image analysis and calibration feature that enables the viewer to closely estimate the size, geometry and orientation of the building's roof sections. The information can then be used to prepare a cost estimate for the repair or replacement of the roof or installation of roof equipment. By simply inputting the potential customer's address, the company is able to determine the size, geometry, pitch and orientation of the roof sections of the building at that address, and then quickly provide an accurate estimate to the customer.

1 . A roof report including:
 at least one line drawing of a top plan view of a roof, the at least one line drawing showing a plurality of roof sections of the roof;   numerical values on the at least one line drawing which are numerical values of pitch of at least some of the plurality of roof sections; and   numerical values on the at least one line drawing which are numerical values of area of at least some of the plurality of roof sections.   
     
     
         2 . The roof report of  claim 1  further including numerical values on the at least one line drawing, which are numerical values of lengths of edges of at least some of the plurality of roof sections. 
     
     
         3 . The roof report of  claim 2  wherein at least some of the numerical values of lengths of edges are placed adjacent to corresponding edges of the at least some of the plurality of roof sections in the at least one line drawing to indicate the numerical values of lengths of edges are each lengths of the corresponding edges to which the numerical values of lengths of edges are adjacent. 
     
     
         4 . The roof report of  claim 1  wherein the at least one line drawing includes a plurality of line drawings, and wherein a first line drawing of the plurality of line drawings includes the numerical values of pitch and a second line drawing of the plurality of line drawings includes the numerical values of area. 
     
     
         5 . The roof report of  claim 1  wherein the roof report includes two different indicia for different types of roof properties. 
     
     
         6 . The roof report of  claim 5  wherein the different indicia for different types of roof properties are different colors used to indicate different types of roof properties. 
     
     
         7 . The roof report of  claim 1  further including at least one photographic image of the roof including a top plan view of the roof. 
     
     
         8 . The roof report of  claim 7  further including at least one photographic image of the roof including a perspective view of the roof. 
     
     
         9 . The roof report of  claim 1  wherein the at least one line drawing of a top plan view of a roof is a of a three-dimensional model of the roof. 
     
     
         10 . The roof report of  claim 1  wherein the roof report indicates whether each of the numerical values are either of a pitch, area or length of an edge of a corresponding roof section of the plurality of roof sections at least in part by where each of the numerical values are placed in the at least one line drawing relative to the corresponding roof section. 
     
     
         11 . The roof report of  claim 10  wherein at least one of the numerical values of area is placed generally in a center of at least one of the plurality of roof sections in the at least one line drawing to indicate the at least one of the numerical values of area is an area of the at least one of the plurality of roof sections. 
     
     
         12 . The roof report of  claim 10  wherein the roof report indicates whether the numerical values of pitch are numerical values of pitch at least in part by an annotation next to each of the numerical values of pitch in the at least one line drawing. 
     
     
         13 . The roof report of  claim 12  wherein the annotations are arrows adjacent to the numerical values of pitch.