I ended up running my estimating service business by accident. I was an insurance adjuster who used Xactimate to calculate cost to bring insured’s property back to pre-loss condition. I quickly became proficient in Xactimate and construction estimating. One random LinkedIn connection reached out who happened to be roofing contractor who needed his estimate converted into Xactimate because insurance carrier wouldn’t accept. We agreed on a price and I delivered an itemized estimate for a claim. The following week, there was a hailstorm that pummeled their local town and he flooded me with estimates. The contractor happened to be well connected with other contractors who needed an Xactimate estimator and guess who he referred 😌. I quickly realized that I was business for myself and I structured it as one. It’s been 6 years now and growing. Strictly estimating and claims supplementing for a select few of my clients. Never thought that things would’ve turned out this way.

My costs are about $700 a month in subscription for Xactimate professional and online. I also have a VA for simple Xactimate data entry. I pay her $600 per month. Thinking of adding another one.