I wanted to poll the CADO adjuster who are required to use Xact w/Sketch as to how they like/dislike it.  There is not much of a chance that any other vendor software will create something like it due to the patent issue X has on the feature.  The patent may not be enforceable but it would take 7-figures in legal fees to prove it!

Does Sketch speed up the estimating process? Does Sketch make your estimates more accurate?  Responders may post here or email me directly.

Thanks for your replies in advance...

John,

Since I am very familiar with your program, but have been required to use Xactimate 24  on my last assignment, let me add my two cents.

In my opinion, Xactimate's sketch does speed up the preparation of an Xactimate estimate most of the time.  It works just nifty as long as you don't try to do the diagram in a manner that sketch won't allow.  In a complete floorplan, for instance, the rooms need to be added in the proper order or it just won't let you put some rooms in.  I find sketch particularly unwieldy, however, for preparing roof diagrams.  The program seems to think it knows what the roof looks like better than I do.  It is just annoying for roof diagrams on complex roofs.  On a couple of roofs I just ignored sketch, hand drew the roof diagram and scanned it into my report.  Simsol's CAD is much more user friendly for roof diagrams.

Saying that sketch speeds up an Xactimate estimate, however, doesn't change the fact that I can complete an entire claim file in about 60% of the time by using Simsol. 

As far as accuracy, it is all a matter of how accurately one uses sketch.  It sometimes takes a little tweaking to get the sketch reflect the dimesions I want it to reflect.  Since I don't settle for inaccuracy, this sometimes slows down the process while I adjust the sketch until it's right.

With multi- rooms damaged on the interior, it works pretty good for me, and i am by no means a "pro" with sketch. Looks good and not to hard to use--you can click on the 3-d button and see if the layout you made is the same as the dwelling really is---peaked ceilings, vaulted ceilings--missing walls, windows and doors etc. It helps speed production  with the interior diagram//floor plan  for sure.

But on roofs---i guess i should go to a class or something, as i find that when "it" does the math--it gets close--but is off by a little every time.  Basic gables, hips etc are easy enough to draw, but again the math allways off by a little. On any real complex roof, i also have to draw it and scan it to.

Thanks for the comments.  From what was posted here and from the private emails I received adjusters are split 50/50 as far as liking or disliking the Sketch drawing tool.  Accurate drawings are always a great way to document a file and help claim examiners to see the loss from a visual perspective. 

Sketch does speed up the estimate but only if you really know how to do it.  A storm is not the place to learn sketch or be told you have to use it.  I've found that I can sketch about 90% of my roofs with extreme accuracy, even the newer multi-pitch cut-up roofs.  I tend to measure more details on the roof though to make sure my sketch is as accurate as possible.  Interiors are even easier to do.  Once everything is drawn out, the estimate is only a few clicks away with the correct macros.

The only thing I do not like about Sketch is that it prints the diagram too small on the page and multiple measurements in an area can print on top of each other or are not readable.

I consider myself proficient in X8 as well as Simsol having used both for several years and both are up and running on my computer now as well as Integra.  Both get me to the same point and usually are pretty close to each other in final figures.  Simsol is just easier to learn and use without a great deal of training and experience.  The Simsol diagrams are simple and to the point which is all most carriers and Insureds really care about.  The behemoth of an estimate and sketch in X8 appeals to carriers who what to be able to audit every line item electronically in an estimate.  However,  in the end, a good qualified adjuster will get the work done in either program correctly and the claim can be closed.

This all said, I don't choose my software, the carrier does.  In order to get work we have to be be able to use X8 proficiently since it is what is required from most wind/hail carriers at this point.  For flood work I prefer Simsol because it integrates the flood forms with no additional work required.

KLS

http://forums.jlconline.com/forums/printthread.php?t=24952

While this contractor forum is someone dated it does talk about Sketch in Xactimate from the angle of a contractor. Our contractor uses keep giving us feature request as we work to a version that is friendlier to contractors since they have some needs that are different from adjusters. Adjusters’ estimates errors come out of the carriers’ pockets and the contractors errors come out of their pockets is one big difference that we see and hear.