Retrieve Aerial Images

Creating takeoffs and estimates for exterior projects on existing buildings can be challenging, especially when you don't have the plans. You either have to rely on poor quality satellite images, which can lead to inaccurate measurements, or actually visit the job site to manually measure which is time-consuming and dangerous.  

STACK has partnered with Nearmap to make it much easier to create accurate takeoffs and estimates for these types of projects - roofing, concrete, landscaping, snow removal, etc. STACK's Retrieve Aerials feature allows you to quickly import high-quality aerial images of your project location from Nearmap directly to your project in STACK. 

How it Works

Once you enter the project location in STACK, just click a button, choose the image type, and a high-quality, top-down image of the location will be imported right in STACK. The image is auto scaled so you don't even have to go through the process of manually setting the scale; you can go right to work creating your takeoff and estimate.

Image Types

You have two options when retrieving aerial images - Structure or Site Area.

• Structure - This option is best if you are doing roofing or other work directly related to the building. It will provide a top-down image of the main structure at the address entered. For United States addresses, the image area is based on the property line (supplied by the local government) for the specific address entered. For Canadian addresses, the image is based on a 50-meter radius around the latitude and longitude of the address.
  
  In addition to the top-down image, you may receive up to four side angle view images for reference. This can help you get a better understanding of the job like the pitch, number of stories for roof levels, and if there are trees or other structures that may impact accessibility to the main building.
  
  
• Site Area - This option is best if you are doing landscaping, concrete, snow removal, or other work around the property. It will provide a top-down image of the location. The address entered will be converted to longitude and latitude and the image will show the area in a 650-foot radius of the location point. 

What to Know

• STACK always imports the most up-to-date images available from Nearmap at the time of retrieval. Nearmap captures imagery at least once a year, and at most three times a year.
• Images are high-resolution images taken from planes. They are not satellite images.
• You will receive at least one image (top-down view) per location.
• With the Structure option, you may receive up to four additional images (side views - north, south, east, and/or west) if they are available.
• STACK automatically applies scale to the top-down image. 
• Side view images are not automatically scaled. (Since they do not scale properly, we recommend only using side view images for reference.)
• The Retrieve Aerials feature is an add-on to your STACK subscription.
• STACK is not responsible for any issues with the images retrieved as they are taken and provided by Nearmap.
• Images are only available for addresses in the United States and Canada. (Best coverage of metro areas; less coverage of rural areas.)

See below for instructions to:

Retrieve Aerials Images

Retrieve Aerial Images

NOTE: The Retrieve Aerials function is an add-on to your STACK subscription. Contact your STACK Account Manager for pricing and access.

1. Go to the project’s HOME screen.
2. Scroll to the Location section and enter or update the location as needed.
   Location data must be entered in order to retrieve aerial images. See Create a Project and Add Project Information if you need help entering/updating location data.
3. Click the Retrieve Aerials button at the top right of the Location tile.
   NOTE: If the Retrieve Aerials button is grayed out and you see a message that states, If you would like to retrieve aerials images for this project please contact your account manager, when you hover over the button, it means this feature is not currently part of your subscription. Please contact us for pricing and activation.
4. Select the type of image you want - Structure or Site Area.
   Image(s) will be automatically uploaded to the project's Plans folder.
   NOTE: Site Area images are very large and can take a few minutes to appear.

To view the images, go to the PLANS & TAKEOFFS section of the project and click on the Plans tab. Images will be in the Plans folder under the Plans and Documents list.

TIP: You can download the images from STACK if you want to include them with your proposal.

Related Articles

Create a Project and Add Project Information
Creating and Editing Takeoffs

If you need additional assistance, please Contact Us.