Photo-Based Estimate Generation
The prompt
Generate an estimate from customer photos. Equipment: {{describe_from_photos_brand_model_conditi}}. Service needed: {{describe_repair_replacement_maintenance}}. Photos attached: {{list_photo_count_and_angles}}. Estimate scope: {{materials_labor_hours_parts_needed}}. Output: Line-item estimate with labor rate, parts cost, markup, and total. Include scope of work and warranty assumptions. Why this works
Structuring the estimate output as a line-item breakdown with labor rate, parts cost, and markup separately produces a document that customers can understand and that your team can defend if questioned. Including scope of work and warranty terms in the same output means the estimate doubles as the job description, reducing disputes about what was agreed. The confidence framing acknowledges estimate uncertainty without undermining the quote.
Risks & review
Photo-based estimates have inherent uncertainty — what's visible in a photo often doesn't reveal the full scope of the problem. Always include a caveat that the estimate is subject to revision upon physical inspection, and be specific about what conditions would trigger a scope change. For major work (roof replacement, HVAC replacement), a physical site visit before estimating is worth the time investment.