Compare · 7 min read
Total Sketch vs CubiCasa: Which Should Appraisers Use?
Total Sketch (by Bradford Technologies) and CubiCasa both produce ANSI-compliant floor plans for residential appraisers, but from completely different starting points. Total Sketch is a Windows desktop tool for appraisers who sketch from their own field measurements. CubiCasa is a smartphone app that captures the floor plan on-site automatically. Here is how they compare.
The short version
- Total Sketch: Best for appraisers who measure properties themselves and want a powerful desktop tool tightly integrated with a la mode TOTAL (WinTOTAL).
- CubiCasa: Best for appraisers who want to eliminate manual measuring on-site and do not mind waiting 1–2 hours for cloud-processed output.
Total Sketch vs CubiCasa: at a glance
| Total Sketch | CubiCasa | |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Windows desktop sketching software | iOS / Android smartphone app |
| Floor plan input | Manual sketch from field measurements | Automated walk-through scan |
| ANSI GLA | Yes (core feature) | Yes (add-on, ~$4 extra per scan) |
| Software integration | Built into a la mode TOTAL | PDF/DXF export only |
| Time to floor plan | 15–30 min at desk after field visit | 1–2 hours (cloud processing) |
| Upfront hardware cost | None | None (uses your phone) |
| Ongoing cost | Included with TOTAL subscription (~$80/mo) | $4–9/scan depending on GLA add-on |
| Best for | TOTAL users who sketch regularly | Appraisers wanting to skip measuring |
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Measure your floor plan →Workflow: sketch vs scan
Total Sketch is embedded directly in a la mode TOTAL. You measure the property on-site (tape measure, laser, or Disto), then open Total Sketch in TOTAL and draw the layout. Area calculations and GLA separation happen automatically, and the sketch drops straight into your appraisal form.
CubiCasa works differently. At the property, you open the app and walk through each room slowly: the phone's camera maps the space. After the appointment, the scan uploads to the cloud and a processed floor plan is returned within 1–2 hours. You then review, add GLA classification if needed, and export to PDF.
Integration reality
This is where Total Sketch has a clear advantage for TOTAL users. The sketch lives inside the appraisal form: no export, no import, no file management. If you are already paying for a la mode TOTAL, Total Sketch comes with it.
CubiCasa outputs PDF or DXF files. You can attach these to your report, but there is no automated import into TOTAL or ACI. Some appraisers redraw the CubiCasa plan in Total Sketch for form integration: which defeats some of the time savings.
Cost per appraisal
If you already subscribe to a la mode TOTAL, Total Sketch adds zero marginal cost per appraisal. At 15 appraisals/month, that is effectively $0 per sketch.
CubiCasa with GLA runs $8–9 per scan. At 15/month, that is $120–135/mo on top of your existing software costs. For a high-volume appraiser saving 20+ minutes per property, the time math can still work: especially if you bill a floor plan fee to the client.
Accuracy
Total Sketch is only as accurate as your measurements. Experienced appraisers using a quality laser measure typically achieve excellent results. The tool itself does not introduce measurement error.
CubiCasa is consistently within 1–2% of hand measurements on straightforward homes. Complex layouts, tight hallways, and homes with a lot of furniture can reduce accuracy. GLA classification occasionally needs manual correction, particularly for split-level or multi-story homes.
When to choose Total Sketch
- You use a la mode TOTAL and want seamless form integration
- You already measure properties yourself and just want better sketching tools
- You want to avoid per-scan fees
- Your appraisal workflow is primarily Windows-based
When to choose CubiCasa
- You want to eliminate manual measuring on-site
- You are doing high volume and time per inspection matters
- You do not use TOTAL and are not tied to any particular appraisal platform
- Clients or AMCs are requesting digital floor plans beyond simple PDFs
The PlanSnapper angle
Both tools assume you are capturing or drawing the floor plan from scratch. If you already have a floor plan: from MLS, a prior appraisal, or a client-provided PDF, and just need to calculate GLA quickly, PlanSnapper handles that without requiring any software subscription or on-site visit.
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Get StartedRelated reading
- Appraisal sketch requirements for ANSI compliance
- ANSI Z765 square footage standard explained
- What is gross living area (GLA)?
- Floor plan measurement tool for GLA calculation
- TOTAL Sketch vs Apex Sketch: comparison
- TOTAL Sketch vs iGUIDE: comparison
- Appraisal sketch software alternatives for 2026
- How to read a floor plan: symbols, scales, and dimensions
- Blueprint dimensions: how to read architectural drawing scales
- Floor plan dimensions: how to read and use them for square footage
- Furniture floor plan: how to use one to verify room size
- Appraisal sketch requirements: UAD and ANSI standards: FAQ
- What changed in ANSI Z765-2021? Key updates for appraisers
- Aci Sketch vs Total Sketch: comparison
- Apex Sketch vs Cubicasa: comparison
- Apex Sketch vs Total Sketch: comparison
- Canvas vs Cubicasa: comparison
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Total Sketch and CubiCasa?
Total Sketch and CubiCasa are different tools with different strengths. The best choice depends on your workflow, budget, and whether you need features like 3D scanning, floor plan generation, GLA calculation, or design capabilities. This page breaks down a direct comparison.
Which is better for real estate appraisers: Total Sketch or CubiCasa?
Total Sketch and Cubicasa serve different workflows. Total Sketch is better suited for one use case while Cubicasa fits another: the right choice depends on whether you need field capture or office-based GLA calculation from existing floor plans.
Can Total Sketch and CubiCasa be used together?
Total Sketch and Cubicasa can complement each other in some workflows: for example, using one for field capture and the other for GLA calculation and reporting. Check the comparison table above for specific integration details.
How much does Total Sketch cost compared to CubiCasa?
Total Sketch and CubiCasa have different pricing models: one may charge per user, per project, or via annual subscription, while the other may offer a free tier or pay-per-use option. Check the comparison table above for current pricing details and which offers better value for your volume of work.
Which is easier to use: Total Sketch or CubiCasa?
Ease of use depends on your starting point. Total Sketch tends to fit one type of user or workflow, while CubiCasa is designed for another. If you are working from an existing floor plan PDF and need to calculate square footage quickly, a browser-based tool like PlanSnapper may reduce the learning curve entirely: no software installation required.
Do I need Total Sketch or CubiCasa if I already have a floor plan PDF?
If you already have a floor plan as a PDF or image, you may not need either tool. PlanSnapper lets you upload the PDF directly and trace walls in your browser to calculate GLA: no software installation required. Both Total Sketch and CubiCasa are most useful for creating sketches from scratch or capturing measurements in the field.
Which works better for calculating GLA: Total Sketch or CubiCasa?
Both Total Sketch and CubiCasa can support GLA calculation, but the workflow differs. One may require field measurement and sketch entry while the other may allow importing existing floor plans. If your starting point is an existing PDF or image floor plan, PlanSnapper provides a faster path: upload, trace, and get the GLA figure without entering either tool's workflow.
How do Total Sketch and CubiCasa handle existing floor plan PDFs?
Neither Total Sketch nor CubiCasa is primarily designed to import and calculate square footage from an existing PDF floor plan. Both tools are built around creating or capturing floor plans from scratch. If you already have a PDF floor plan, PlanSnapper lets you upload it directly, trace the walls, and get an accurate GLA figure without redrawing anything.
Which is better for occasional users: Total Sketch or CubiCasa?
Total Sketch and CubiCasa are both specialized tools with learning curves that reward regular use. Occasional users often find dedicated subscription tools hard to justify. For someone who needs to calculate square footage a few times a month, PlanSnapper is designed for exactly that: no training required, no annual contract, upload and measure in minutes.