FieldRate vs ArcSite: Which Is Better for Deck Estimating?

ArcSite is a slick field-drawing app that lets you create professional CAD-like drawings on a tablet. It's popular with fencing contractors, landscapers, and roofers who need to show customers what their project will look like.

FieldRate is a deck estimating app that calculates every material and generates professional proposals. It's built for contractors who need accurate prices fast.

These tools overlap in some areas but diverge in what they do best. Here's how they compare for deck work.

The Core Difference

ArcSite starts with a drawing. You sketch the deck on your tablet, add dimensions, and the software generates an estimate from your drawing. The visual is the product—the estimate is secondary.

FieldRate starts with dimensions. You enter the deck size, select materials, and the software calculates materials and pricing instantly. The estimate is the product—the visual is the layout tool.

If your homeowners need to see a drawing before saying yes, ArcSite helps. If they need to see a price before saying yes (most do), FieldRate is faster.

Feature Comparison

Drawing Capabilities

ArcSite: Excellent. Create professional, dimension-accurate drawings on a tablet. Draw deck outlines, add measurements, annotate with notes. The drawings look like they came from a CAD program.

FieldRate: Visual board layout on iPad—you can see how boards, joists, and railings fit on the deck. But it's a material layout tool, not a CAD drawing tool. You won't produce architectural-quality sketches.

Winner: ArcSite for drawings. If visual proposals are your selling point, ArcSite delivers.

Estimating Accuracy

ArcSite: Estimates are generated from your drawing. Accuracy depends on how well you drew and what pricing rules you've configured. The software doesn't inherently know that a 16×20 deck needs 16 joists at 16" OC—you set up those rules.

FieldRate: Estimates are generated from deck-specific logic. Enter 16×20, select composite, and the app knows exactly how many boards, joists, fasteners, joist hangers, and footings you need. Built-in waste factors, markup calculations, and material databases for major brands.

Winner: FieldRate for deck-specific accuracy. The material science is built in, not user-configured.

Speed to Estimate

ArcSite: 15-25 minutes for a deck estimate. Drawing the layout takes time—getting dimensions right, placing elements, configuring estimating rules.

FieldRate: 5-10 minutes. Select template or enter dimensions, pick materials, review auto-calculated quantities, show price.

Winner: FieldRate for speed.

Material Databases

ArcSite: General construction materials. You configure your own pricing for deck-specific materials. No built-in databases for Trex, TimberTech, or AZEK product lines.

FieldRate: Deck-specific databases. Trex (Enhance, Select, Transcend), TimberTech, AZEK, and pressure-treated lumber with product-line pricing. Railing systems and fasteners included.

Winner: FieldRate for deck materials.

Client Presentation

ArcSite: This is where ArcSite shines. Show a homeowner a professional drawing of their future deck with accurate dimensions. It's visually impressive and builds confidence.

FieldRate: Show a detailed material breakdown and professional price proposal. It's financially clear but doesn't include an architectural drawing.

Winner: ArcSite for visual impact. FieldRate for financial clarity. Both matter to different homeowners.

Multi-Trade Versatility

ArcSite: Works for fencing, landscaping, roofing, concrete, and general contracting. The drawing-first approach adapts to any trade.

FieldRate: Deck-focused. Best-in-class for deck estimating, but not the right tool for a fencing proposal.

Winner: ArcSite for versatility.

Pricing

	ArcSite	FieldRate
Monthly cost	~$39-$99/mo	$49/mo
Free trial	Yes	Yes (30 days)
Annual discount	Yes	—

Comparison Table

Feature	ArcSite	FieldRate
Field drawings	Yes (core feature)	Layout tool
Deck material auto-calc	No (user-configured)	Yes (built-in)
Deck templates	No	Yes
Deck material databases	No	Trex, TimberTech, AZEK
Speed to deck estimate	15-25 min	5-10 min
Visual proposals	Excellent	Standard
iPad-optimized	Yes	Yes
Multi-trade	Yes	Decks only
On-site quoting	Yes	Yes

Who Should Use Which?

Choose ArcSite if:

• Visual drawings are your primary sales tool
• You do multiple trades (fencing, landscaping, etc.)
• Your customers need to "see" the deck before committing
• You're willing to configure estimating rules yourself

Choose FieldRate if:

• Accurate, fast pricing is your primary need
• Decks are your main business
• You want deck-specific material calculations without configuration
• Speed to quote is your competitive advantage

Use Both if:

• You want architectural-quality drawings AND accurate deck estimates
• Draw in ArcSite for the visual, price in FieldRate for accuracy

For more options, see our best deck estimating software roundup. And for help with the estimating process itself, check out how to estimate a deck job.

FAQ

Can ArcSite accurately estimate deck materials? It can, but you need to configure the estimating rules yourself. ArcSite doesn't inherently know deck framing requirements—you tell it what materials a deck needs. FieldRate has this deck knowledge built in.

Does FieldRate produce drawings for clients? FieldRate has a visual board layout tool that shows how boards and joists fit on the deck, but it's not a CAD drawing tool. For architectural-quality sketches, ArcSite is the better choice.

Which tool helps close more deals? Speed closes deals. FieldRate's 5-minute estimates beat ArcSite's 15-25 minute workflow. But if your market values visual proposals, ArcSite's drawings can justify premium pricing.

Can I use ArcSite for deck takeoffs? You can draw a deck and generate a basic material list, but it won't auto-calculate joists, footings, or fastener quantities with deck-specific logic. You'd need to add those rules manually.

Need deck estimates, not just drawings? Try FieldRate free for 30 days and generate accurate deck quotes in under 5 minutes.