Frequently asked questions
Answers on what ModelQuoter costs, how our instant estimates work, what we check about contractors and where we're available.
For homeowners
What does ModelQuoter cost a homeowner?
Nothing. Modeling your project, getting an instant estimate and getting quotes from contractors are all free.
Contractors pay a flat membership to be on ModelQuoter. You never pay a fee to be introduced to one, and we take no cut of what you pay your contractor.
How accurate is the estimate?
Accurate enough to budget with. Our pricing engine builds every estimate line by line from the scope you confirm, using current material and labour rates, adjusted for your area where we have local prices. None of the numbers come from the image model.
It's an estimate, not a quote. Your contractor gives you the quote after seeing the job, and your estimate shows you whether that quote is fair.
We keep refining our rates as more real quotes come in. If we can't price your project yet, you can still model it and get quotes from contractors.
What can you price from a photo?
Fences, decks, patios and interlock, pergolas, exterior painting, driveways, roofs, landscaping, windows and pools.
Anything else, like a kitchen or a bathroom, you can still post for local contractors to quote.
Do I have to hire anyone?
No. Seeing your project and its price is free and needs no account. You only post it if you want quotes, and you decide whether to hire any contractor who quotes.
Is the modeled image what I'll actually get?
No. It's a concept that shows you what the project could look like on your home. It isn't a construction plan, and it's labelled as a modeled concept wherever it appears.
The written scope you confirm (materials, measurements and what's included) is what your estimate is based on and what contractors quote on. If the picture shows something the scope doesn't, go by the scope.
How many bids will I get?
It depends on how many contractors are active near you. Your project goes to every contractor who matches your city and trade.
Each bid is itemized, so you can compare them line by line and check each one against your estimate.
Does ModelQuoter hold my project money?
No. ModelQuoter does not collect, hold, approve, release, or transfer project funds, and we don't offer financing. You pay your contractor directly, under your own agreement with them.
You can keep a record of the accepted bid, milestones, photos, messages and approvals on the project. That record doesn't replace a signed construction contract.
What does "business details confirmed" mean?
It means we checked the contractor's basic business information: their name, contact details and registration. That's all it covers.
It is not a background check, and it says nothing about licensing, insurance, workmanship or safety. Check a contractor's licence and insurance yourself, and sign your agreement directly with them.
For contractors
How does ModelQuoter charge contractors?
One flat membership, billed monthly or yearly in USD. There's no fee per lead and nothing to pay to see a project. Every contractor who matches a project sees it.
The base membership covers one trade in up to three cities. Extra trades and cities are optional add-ons billed on the same cycle as your membership, and every trade you pay for applies in every city you pay for.
What is the no-lead refund guarantee?
If a paid, lead-eligible month ends without a qualified lead delivered to you, that month is refunded. On an annual membership, the month is counted from your annual start date and the refund is one twelfth of the annual charge.
The review and the refund are handled by a person. It's not an automatic credit, and it's not a free month added to the end of your term. To ask for a review, email support@modelquoter.com.
A refund doesn't stop your renewal. If you don't want the next period to bill, cancel separately.
Are leads exclusive, and do you promise a number of leads?
No to both. Coverage is not exclusive, and we do not promise lead volume in any area. Anyone who promises you a set number of jobs is guessing.
What we do offer is the refund above. If a paid, lead-eligible month brings you no qualified lead, you get that month's fee back.
What does business verification involve?
We check that the business is real and that you control it. That means a registry record, ownership of your public business listing and a call to the number published on it.
Lead details and bidding open once verification clears. While it's in review, you can build your profile, quote your own customers and run your own projects.
What happens in the off-season?
Between November and March, monthly members may be offered a winter hold when they go to cancel. It's a reduced flat monthly rate, lasts up to four months and can be started once in any rolling twelve months.
During the hold, the tools for your own customers keep working, while marketplace leads, bidding and no-lead refund eligibility pause. Annual memberships already include months at no additional cost, so they can't take a hold as well.
Can I cancel whenever I want?
Yes. Your membership renews until you cancel, and cancelling stops the next renewal. You keep access for the rest of the period you've already paid for.
About ModelQuoter
Where does ModelQuoter work?
You can model a project and get an instant estimate anywhere in Canada and the United States. Contractor matching and payment features switch on by trade and by area, so once you enter your location and project type, the site tells you what's available.
Who is behind ModelQuoter?
ModelQuoter is a product of 17914474 CANADA INC., a Canadian federal corporation. We are not a contractor, construction manager, lender, broker, insurer or payment custodian, and we don't do construction work.
Something's gone wrong. Who do I contact?
Email support@modelquoter.com with the link to the project, quote or bid, and tell us what you expected to happen. With that, we can usually sort it out in one reply.
Still have a question?
Email support@modelquoter.com with the link to the project, quote or bid, so we can see what you're looking at.