Straight answers for estimators, PMs, and owners evaluating EstiLumina.
What is EstiLumina?
EstiLumina is a construction workspace for subcontractors, homebuilders, and mid-market general contractors. One job path connects takeoff → estimate → bids / RFQ → locked budget → field → pay applications so numbers stay on the same job record.
Who is EstiLumina for?
Trade contractors running takeoff and bids, homebuilders who need selections and homeowner portals, and commercial GCs who need RFQ, job cost, field, and progress billing in one place.
How much does EstiLumina cost?
Packages are $199 / $299 / $499 per month (Subcontractor, Homebuilder, Commercial) with 1, 2, and 4 included seats. Extra internal seats are $29/mo. Portal collaborators stay free. Start with one job free for 14 days — no credit card — then subscribe in Billing when you are ready.
What are the trial terms?
14 days free on one job with full product features. No credit card to begin. Invite your team when you subscribe. Export your job data anytime from the workspace.
Do portal collaborators use a paid seat?
No. Owners and trades responding on signed portal links do not consume a full workspace seat.
Does EstiLumina measure the drawings for me?
No. You calibrate the sheet and draw every quantity. Tool suggestions can pick a measuring tool; they never draw the takeoff. The number you price is the number you drew.
Does takeoff work on an iPad?
Yes. Open the same desk in Safari on an iPad: the Apple Pencil draws exactly as a mouse does, a finger pans and pinches, a held finger opens the shape menu, and a resting palm is ignored. Put it on the Home Screen and the last sheet opens offline. It is the same web app — not an App Store download.
Can one person belong to more than one workspace?
Yes. A consultant estimator or a shared superintendent accepts an invite from a second builder and switches between workspaces from the account menu — one sign-in, each workspace with its own role, jobs, and billing.
How do teammates ask each other about a line or a change order?
In a discussion on the record itself — the job home, an estimate line, a change order, an RFI, or an invoice. An @mention lands in the teammate’s inbox and, if they chose, by email or push; resolve the thread when it is settled. Discussions update live for everyone on the job.
Does EstiLumina include BIM or CAD modeling?
No. Drawings are a PDF sheet register with revisions — not a CAD or BIM engine. That honesty stays in our product claims.
Can I run takeoff, estimating, and job cost in one system?
Yes. Quantities push into the estimate, the locked estimate becomes the budget spine, RFQ awards become commitments, and field actuals rejoin the same money path — without retyping between tools.
How do homeowners and trades use EstiLumina?
Through signed portals: homeowners can review selections, approve changes, and pay draws; trades receive frozen RFQ packages and return quotes. Preview as the owner, then invite — you control what they see.
Is EstiLumina only for large enterprises?
No. Packages start at a single-seat Subcontractor surface. Commercial adds seats and the full job surface for multi-trade GCs — without requiring an enterprise attestation.
Where can I see live status and trust details?
Public status is at /status. Trust, privacy, terms, and subprocessors live under /trust and /legal. Support email is support@estilumina.com.