What Is an ESX Roof Report?

If you write property claims in Xactimate, the letters ESX should be familiar. ESX is the native sketch file format for Xactimate, and an ESX roof report is a roof measurement deliverable that drops directly into your estimate without any redrawing. It is one of the highest-leverage time-savers in modern claims work, and it is worth understanding what is actually inside one.

What ESX stands for

ESX is short for "Exchange Sketch" - the file extension Xactware (now Verisk) uses for sketches that can be moved between Xactimate users, Sketch, and third-party measurement providers. An ESX file contains the geometric definition of every facet on a roof, including dimensions, pitch, and how the facets connect to one another.

What an ESX roof report includes

A typical claim-grade ESX roof report contains:

• The complete roof sketch with every facet labeled.
• Pitch on each individual facet.
• Total squares with waste calculated and broken out.
• Linear footage for ridges, hips, valleys, eaves, rakes, and drip edge.
• Step flashing length where the roof meets walls and chimneys.
• Counts and locations for vents, pipe jacks, skylights, and HVAC penetrations.
• An aerial photograph of the property with facet outlines overlaid.

Why estimators love ESX

The single biggest reason ESX has taken over claim estimating is time. Drawing a complex cut-up roof by hand in Xactimate can take 20 to 45 minutes per property. Importing an ESX file does the same thing in under a minute. On a heavy claims week that difference can be the entire difference between staying current and falling behind.

Beyond time, ESX makes estimates more defensible. Quantities flow automatically from the sketch, which means the desk adjuster reviewing the file can trace every line item back to a measurement, which makes supplements much harder to deny.

How an ESX file is generated

Roof Report 360 generates an ESX file from aerial imagery. The workflow is:

1. You submit the property address through the order page.
2. Our team pulls the most recent high-resolution aerial imagery for the property.
3. An aerial measurement specialist traces every facet and assigns pitch.
4. Quality assurance reviews the file before delivery.
5. You receive the ESX file plus a PDF report and an aerial photo of the property.

For an in-depth look at how aerial measurement actually works, see our piece on aerial roof measurement explained.

How to import an ESX into Xactimate

Xactimate makes ESX import easy:

1. Open the claim in Xactimate.
2. Go to the Sketch tab.
3. Click File → Import → Sketch (ESX).
4. Browse to the ESX file you received and confirm.
5. Verify pitch and squares against the PDF before applying line items.

Once the sketch is imported, every roof line item you add will use the imported quantities automatically. This is the moment the time savings really show up.

ESX vs. PDF - when do you need both?

A PDF report is human-readable. An ESX file is machine-readable. Most claim files use both: the PDF lives with the file as documentation, and the ESX is the input you actually work from in Xactimate. Roof Report 360 includes both with every order, so you do not have to choose.

Common questions about ESX files

Will my carrier accept an ESX-based estimate?

Yes. ESX is the native Xactimate format used industry-wide. Carriers do not see the ESX directly - they see your finished Xactimate estimate, which they expect to come from sketched measurements.

Do I need a paid Xactimate license to open an ESX?

Yes - opening an ESX requires Xactimate or Sketch. Both are paid Verisk products. The ESX file itself does not require a license to receive or store.

Can I edit an ESX after importing?

Yes. Once imported, the sketch behaves like any other Xactimate sketch. You can adjust pitch, add facets, or modify dimensions as needed. We recommend treating the imported sketch as your source of truth and only editing if you find a real discrepancy.

How accurate is an ESX from aerial imagery?

For most residential roofs, dimensions are within a few percent of a hand measurement and pitch is within a half pitch. That is well inside the tolerance Xactimate uses for waste and material calculations. For more on accuracy trade-offs, see our piece on remote roof measurement vs. manual.

How to order an ESX roof report

Roof Report 360 publishes per-report pricing on the order page and delivers most ESX roof reports the same business day. There is no account required, no minimum volume, and no sales conversation - paste the address, pick the product, and you are done.

Bottom line

ESX is the format that makes Xactimate roof estimating fast and defensible. If you write roof estimates regularly and you are still drawing sketches by hand, you are leaving hours of billable time on the table every week. Order one, import it, and see the difference on your next claim.