Onboarding Guides
Maps & SnowBidder
Last updated
Measuring properties and building snow-removal estimates
Last Updated: June 2026
Overview
Maps & Estimates is where you measure a property from aerial imagery and turn those measurements into priced estimates. Everything starts from a map: you trace the lots, walks, and other surfaces on satellite imagery, and SiteFotos calculates the square footage and length for you. Those measurements then feed Snow Bidder, which prices snow-removal work without anyone re-measuring or re-keying numbers.
This guide covers two tools, listed in the left navigation under Maps & Estimates. They are designed to be used in order:
Map Builder — measure the property. Draw areas and lines on a satellite map; each shape auto-calculates its area (sq ft) and length, grouped into named layers (Parking Lot, Sidewalk, Turf, etc.).
Snow Bidder — price snow removal from a measured map, using Per Push, Per Event, Seasonal, or Time & Materials pricing.
To open the section, click Maps & Estimates in the left navigation menu, then choose Map Builder or Snow Bidder. The rest of this guide covers each in order.
Map Builder
Map Builder is a satellite measuring tool. You open an aerial view of a property, trace its surfaces with drawing tools, and SiteFotos calculates the area and length of every shape automatically. The finished map — with its measured layers — is the foundation every estimate is built on.
The Maps List
Map Builder opens to a list of every map in your account. This is your home base for finding, opening, and managing maps.
Element | What it does |
New Map | Starts a new map. You search an address, then trace the property on the satellite view. |
Columns | Map name, Address, City, State, Zip, Size (sf), Creator, Created, and Editor — each sortable and filterable. |
Row actions | Open/view, share, duplicate, export, assign, and delete a map. |
All / View tabs | Switch between all maps and your saved filtered views. |
Old Mapbuilder | Link (top-right) to the legacy Map Builder, if you need it. |
The Map Editor
Click a map name to open the editor. It has three working areas: the top action bar, the drawing toolbar down the left edge, and the measurements panel on the right that lists every layer and its calculated size.
Drawing Toolbar
The toolbar on the left edge holds the tools you use to trace the property. Each completed shape is measured automatically and added to a layer.
Tool | Use it to |
Polygon | Trace any irregular area (a parking lot, a parcel boundary) point by point. |
Line | Measure a straight or multi-segment distance (curb line, edge). |
Rectangle | Draw a quick rectangular area. |
Circle | Draw a circular area. |
Circle (radius) | Draw a circle by center and radius. |
Marker / Pin | Drop a labeled point of interest on the map. |
Text label | Place a text note directly on the canvas. |
+1 counter | Stamp and tally repeated features (e.g., counting islands or signs). |
Freehand | Trace a shape freehand instead of point by point. |
Magnet (snap) | Snap new points to existing lines for clean, connected edges. |
Duplicate | Copy an existing shape. |
Top Action Bar
Action | What it does |
New | Start a fresh map. |
Save / Save As | Save the current map, or save a copy under a new name. |
Open | Open another saved map. |
Assign Site | Link the map to a CRM site so its measurements are available on that site and in the estimators. |
Export | Export the map (e.g., as an image/PDF) to share or attach. |
Layers | Show, hide, and manage the measured layers. |
Merge | Combine shapes or maps together. |
Share | Share the map with others. |
The canvas itself also has zoom controls, a Street Views button, and a High Resolution toggle for sharper imagery.
Building a Map
Click New Map and search the property address, or open an existing map.
Pick a drawing tool — Polygon for lots and parcels, Line for curbs and walks.
Trace the surface on the satellite image. SiteFotos calculates the area (sq ft) or length the moment you close the shape.
Each shape is added to a layer in the right-hand panel; name and group layers (Parking Lot, Sidewalk, Turf, etc.).
Use Assign Site to tie the map to a CRM site.
Click Save.
Snow Bidder
Snow Bidder turns a measured map into a snow-removal estimate. It pulls the map's layers and their square footage automatically, lets you assign equipment and materials to each area, and prices the work under four different models driven by your saved assumptions and a weather forecast.
The Snow Removal Estimates List
Element | What it does |
New Estimate | Start a new snow bid from a saved map. |
Assumptions | Open the pricing engine that powers every snow estimate (see below). |
Columns | Estimate name, Map Name, Address, City, State, Zip, Creator, and Created. |
Row actions | Duplicate, delete, and manage columns. |
The Estimate Builder
An estimate has two stacked sections. At the top, Allocate Equipment & Materials lists every measured area with its square footage and lets you set the conditions and resources for each. Below it, Pricing turns those inputs into a price.
Allocate Equipment & Materials — each Area (Parking Lot, Parcel, Sidewalk, Bed Space, Turf) shows its SqFt, a Lot Type (the A–F difficulty rating, explained below), and dropdowns to assign Equipment and Material. A live map thumbnail sits on the right.
Pricing — choose a Service Level and a Forecast (e.g., AURORA 3.6 SE), then price under four tabs. Export produces the finished bid.
Pricing model | How it prices |
Per Push | A price for each time you plow, banded by snow-depth Event Ranges (e.g., 0–1.99", 2–3.99"). |
Per Event | A flat price per snow event regardless of how many pushes it takes. |
Seasonal | A single fixed price for the whole season. |
Time & Materials | Priced by labor hours and materials used. |
Lot Types & Assumptions
The Assumptions button opens the pricing engine behind every estimate — eight tabs of defaults you set once and reuse: Lot Efficiency, Equipment, Prod Decline, Materials, Service Levels, Event Ranges, Forecasts, and Cost Factors. The first tab, Lot Efficiency, defines the Lot Types you assign to each area.
Lot Type | Efficiency | Description |
A | 100% | No obstacles, good condition lots. |
B | 90% | Some obstacles, like islands and light poles. |
C | 80% | A lot of maneuvering, obstructions, truck docks / parked vehicles, back dragging. |
D | 70% | Very difficult to maneuver. |
F | 60% | Miscellaneous. |
Building a Snow Bid
Click New Estimate and select the measured map for the property.
For each area, set the Lot Type and assign Equipment and Material.
Choose a Service Level and the Forecast to price against.
Pick a pricing tab — Per Push, Per Event, Seasonal, or Time & Materials — and review the calculated price.
Save the estimate, or Save As Template to reuse the setup; use Export to produce the bid.
How Map Builder and Snow Bidder Work Together
The two tools form a single pipeline. Map Builder hands its measurements straight to Snow Bidder, so a property is measured once and those numbers carry all the way through to the finished bid:
The pipeline: Map Builder → Snow Bidder
Measure once in Map Builder — the layers and square footage are saved to the map and its assigned site.
Price in Snow Bidder — it reads the map's layers directly, applies your saved Assumptions and a forecast, and calculates the bid under your chosen pricing model.
Because both steps draw on the same measured map and the same Assumptions, your numbers stay consistent from the first trace on the satellite image to the finished snow-removal bid.
Quick Reference
Tool | What it does | Key output |
Map Builder | Measure a property on satellite imagery; auto-calculate area and length by layer. | A measured map assigned to a site. |
Snow Bidder | Price snow removal from a map: Per Push, Per Event, Seasonal, or Time & Materials. | A snow-removal bid. |
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