AI Powers Instant Flooring Quotes for Retailers

Imagine a world where flooring retailers, contractors, and installers could provide a highly accurate, virtual estimate to a customer using just a few photos. This would eliminate the need for an initial in-home consultation, saving time for everyone involved. That world is now a reality with MEasure, an innovative AI-powered tool from Modern Estimates.

How MEasure Transforms Quoting with AI

MEasure is a photo-based technology designed to integrate directly into a flooring retailer's website. The process is simple for the customer. They click a dedicated link, answer four basic questions about their project—like the room and desired product—and then upload a few photos of the space.

MEasure only needs four photos to provide an accurate estimate.

Once the photos are uploaded, the customer hits the "generate" button, and MEasure's powerful AI model gets to work. “MEasure analyzes the photos, determines the size of the room, looks at what the existing flooring is, what the furniture situation is and basically builds a labor and materials virtual estimate for the homeowner based on the pricing of that retailer,” explains Maksim Nazarchuk, president of Modern Estimates.

The customer then receives a detailed summary breaking down the costs for labor and materials. It itemizes everything from demolition and furniture moving to prep work and installation, providing a transparent total estimated price.

The Technology Behind the Estimate

Like all advanced AI, MEasure was designed to learn and improve over time. “The model has been trained on more than 10,000 different projects ranging from small bathrooms to large homes measuring thousands of square feet and everything in between,” Nazarchuk states.

This extensive training allows the AI to detect subtle but important details. For instance, if a subfloor is exposed and has visible cracks, the model is smart enough to include the necessary prep work in the estimate. Similarly, if a customer wants to refinish a hardwood floor, the AI can identify stains or rot near kitchens and flag it for the retailer, ensuring a more accurate quote from the start.

Boosting Efficiency for Flooring Retailers

The primary function of MEasure is to streamline a complex daily process, freeing up a retailer's time to focus on selling flooring rather than spending hours driving to measure a home for a customer who may just be shopping around.

Nazarchuk points out a common industry problem: “The people who are calling in for quotes are being treated as non-serious buyers, so they’re getting lower service-level treatment; therefore, they become less serious buyers... it becomes a closed loop.” MEasure breaks this cycle by providing a serious, detailed estimate, treating every online inquiry as a valuable lead.

It also solves the issue of inaccurate over-the-phone quotes. A quick verbal estimate often lacks sufficient information, leading to price discrepancies later that can kill a potential sale. MEasure collects the necessary visual context for the retailer to provide an informed, reliable estimate, with all pricing remaining fully in the retailer's control through their portal.

Gaining a Competitive Edge

In today's market, retailers are in a race against independent installers who can often provide on-the-spot quotes. “Your average retailer is now in a race against time to be the first in front of the customer with tangible prices, and it’s a failing race,” Nazarchuk says. MEasure levels the playing field, allowing retailers to be "the first in the door" with a professional and comprehensive estimate, establishing trust and authority immediately.

MEasure is more accurate than off-the-cuff estimates.

Addressing Common Concerns and Accuracy

What if a customer shops the detailed quote around? Nazarchuk notes this is a standard risk in retail, but victory goes to the dealer who can act as a professional consultant first. MEasure facilitates this by saving time and positioning the retailer as an expert from the initial interaction.

And what about the accuracy of the AI? While no virtual estimate can be 100% perfect without an in-home visit to detect issues hidden under existing floors, MEasure provides a highly reliable ballpark figure. “In all cases that we’ve tested, a rough calculation is significantly further off than the AI model,” Nazarchuk confirms. The tool's accuracy in analyzing visual information far surpasses what even an experienced professional can guess from photos alone, giving retailers the confidence to engage customers effectively.