Chicago, IL
WINDOWS ESTIMATING.

## Window Estimating in Chicago Moves Fast — Your Bids Have To Match Chicago's housing stock is one of the densest and most varied in the country. A single block in Logan Square or Pilsen can mix 1890s greystones, mid-century brick two-flats, and gut-rehabbed condos. Every one of those buildings has different rough opening dimensions, different frame conditions, and different energy code exposure. Writing a clean, accurate bid by hand on each of those jobs wastes time you do not have. Estimate.Pro cuts your walkthrough-to-bid time to 8 minutes. You walk the job, capture measurements, and the AI builds a scoped, priced estimate ready to send. --- ## What Makes Window Work Different in Chicago **Energy code compliance is not optional.** Illinois follows the 2021 IECC with Chicago amendments. U-factor and SHGC requirements for fenestration vary by climate zone — Chicago sits in Zone 5. Every replacement window spec you write needs to match those thresholds, or your GC or building inspector will send it back. Estimate.Pro lets you note IECC Zone 5 fenestration specs directly in the scope line so the homeowner and GC see exactly what product category you're pricing. **Permit pulls add real cost and lead time.** Chicago's Department of Buildings requires permits for most window replacements that change the rough opening size. Same-size replacements in single-family homes may qualify for the City's self-certification program, but multi-unit buildings and landmarked properties do not. Factor permit fees into your bid from the start, not as an afterthought. The City of Chicago permit fee for a standard window replacement permit runs in the range of $75–$125 per permit depending on project valuation, and that cost belongs in your estimate. **Landmark and historic overlay districts change your material options.** Chicago has over 60 Chicago Landmarks and hundreds of buildings in Landmark Districts — Wicker Park, Prairie Avenue, Pullman, and others. In those areas, the Commission on Chicago Landmarks may require wood or aluminum-clad profiles that match the original character. Vinyl is often not approved. That changes your material cost significantly, and your estimate needs to reflect it before you walk out the door. **Cold-weather scheduling eats into installation windows.** Chicago winters are real. Below-freezing temps affect sealant cure times, flashing adhesion, and foam expansion. Most experienced window contractors in the Chicago metro schedule exterior opening work between April and October. That seasonality compresses demand into roughly six months, which means you're competing hard on price and turnaround during peak season. A faster bid process is a direct competitive advantage. --- ## How Estimate.Pro Works for Window Contractors **AR Measurement on the Job.** On supported devices, Estimate.Pro uses ONNX-assisted live AR measurement to capture opening dimensions directly during your walkthrough. Camera and photo measurements are flagged as estimates in the output so you know exactly where to verify. No tape-measure transcription errors showing up in your bid. **Scope of Work Built by AI.** After your walkthrough, the AI generates a full scope: demo, disposal, flashing, install, trim, caulk, and cleanup — line by line. You review and adjust. Nothing gets forgotten because you were rushing to the next job. **Your Material Costs, Saved.** Estimate.Pro keeps your saved material cost workspace so your Anderson 400 pricing, your Pella vinyl pricing, and your custom aluminum pricing are already loaded when you start the next bid. You're not re-entering catalog costs on every job. **Invoicing and Payments on Pro+.** Elite tier includes Stripe Connect invoicing and export. Collect deposits and progress payments directly through the estimate. Stripe Connect platform fee is 0% on Pro+ plans. --- ## Pricing - **Free forever** — no credit card, no time limit - **Pro** — $39/seat/month - **Elite** — $79/seat/month - **Crew** — $399/month flat for larger operations You can send your first Chicago window bid today on the Free tier and see the 8-minute turnaround for yourself. --- ## Built for 25 Trades, Including Yours Estimate.Pro supports 25 trades. Window contractors get the same depth of scope logic as HVAC, roofing, and electrical — not a watered-down generic template. The system knows the difference between a full-frame replacement and an insert replacement, and it prices accordingly. If you're a window contractor working Chicago's North Side rehabs, South Side two-flats, or suburban replacement market, Estimate.Pro gives you a bid process that keeps pace with the work.