Everything you need to know about how Otter Quotes works.
Otter Quotes is 100% free for Homeowners. You will never pay us a dime. If you choose to add professional Hover measurements, that is a $150 charge paid upfront and refunded in full when you sign a contract with one of our contractors.
You may have been referred by your insurance agent, realtor, or contractor who trust us to help you find the best solution. Or you found us on your own. Either way, we're here to help whether you're working with insurance or paying out-of-pocket.
No, not necessarily. Otter Quotes works for both insurance-backed projects and cash/retail projects. If you're working with insurance, we help after you've filed your claim and an adjuster has inspected your property. If you're paying out-of-pocket, you can get started right away. We do not file claims on your behalf or represent you to your insurance company — we help you get the best contractor deal on your terms.
Just your name, email, phone number, and address. That's it to create an account. After that, we'll walk you through gathering what contractors need — your project scope, property measurements, and material preferences. If you have an insurance estimate, that helps too. For anything you don't have, our "Help Me" tools will guide you through getting it.
For each document we need, you'll see two buttons: "Upload" (if you already have it) or "Help Me" (if you don't). The Help Me tools walk you through getting what you need. For example, if you're working with insurance and don't have your insurance estimate yet, we can send a professional email to your adjuster requesting it — and automatically capture their response when they reply.
A professional measurement report uses aerial imaging technology to create an accurate model of your property — giving contractors precise measurements for their quotes. You take a few photos from your smartphone and the report comes back within 24-48 hours. It's optional but gives you more accurate quotes. If you use an Otter Quotes contractor, we rebate the measurement fee. Either way, you keep the report forever for future projects.
Hover builds a complete 3D model of your home from photos you take with your phone — every measurement, every wall, every opening, captured in one property data file. The $150 covers Otter Quotes' cost to order it on your behalf.
When your project closes with an Otter Quotes contractor, the full $150 is rebated to your original payment method automatically — you pay nothing net. Rebates typically appear on your statement within 5–10 business days of project completion.
If you don't complete your project with an Otter Quotes contractor, you keep the property data file — it's yours forever and reusable for any future home project — and the $150 covers our cost of ordering it.
Either way, the file is yours forever — and we're building a suite of products around your home that this file becomes the foundation of.
Up to 5-6 contractors will see your project and have the opportunity to quote. Not every contractor quotes on every job, but competition is the whole point — more quotes means a better deal for you.
Most quotes come in within 24-48 hours. The quoting window stays open until you select a contractor — there's no deadline. Take your time and compare. We'll text you every time a new quote arrives.
Yes — bids are valid for 14 days. Contractors can't hold pricing indefinitely because crew schedules and material costs can shift. That's completely normal in the construction industry. If a bid expires before you've made a decision, you can request an updated bid from that contractor at any time — they'll have the opportunity to resubmit with current pricing. You're never stuck, and you can request updated bids from any contractor whenever you're ready.
Yes. If you've filed an insurance claim and received an adjuster's estimate, Otter Quotes helps you find the best contractor to handle the work. We manage the contractor bidding and contract process — your contractor coordinates the claim details directly with your insurance company. We never collect insurance proceeds.
You sign the contractor's agreement electronically (e-sign). Your contractor is required to contact you within 48 hours. After signing, you'll pick your shingle or metal color — we'll show you the manufacturer's color options and you can even see them on your actual house using their visualization tools. Or you can request a contractor visit with physical color boards.
Yes — within the Otter Quotes network. Up to 3 days before your scheduled installation, you can switch to a different Otter Quotes contractor at no cost. The first contractor is rebated, and the replacement contractor takes over. However, if you leave the Otter Quotes platform entirely, you are bound by the contract you signed with your chosen contractor.
No — for most roofing and gutter projects you don't need to choose a color before signing. We walk you through color selection as part of the project confirmation process, after your Hover measurements are complete. For retail siding projects, color selection happens earlier (before bids are released) because contractors need to know the exact product and profile to price accurately. Either way, we'll prompt you at the right moment and show you your options directly on your home using Hover's 3D design tools.