Xactimate is the estimating software most carriers use to price property damage claims. It's a solid tool, but it's only as accurate as the person writing the estimate. Adjusters working high volumes under time pressure frequently leave out line items that are legitimate and defensible.
Knowing where those gaps consistently show up is the foundation of any good supplement strategy.
How Xactimate Estimates Get Written
An adjuster visits the property, documents visible damage, and builds an estimate based on what they saw. The estimate reflects their scope assessment, which may or may not match what's actually needed to restore the property properly.
That's where the gap opens. Not because adjusters are wrong, but because initial visits happen fast. Some damage isn't visible until tear-off. Some line items require contractor knowledge to identify.
Worth Noting
Supplementing isn't arguing with the estimate. It's expanding it to reflect actual scope. Documentation makes or breaks the process.
The Most Commonly Missed Line Items
Across residential roofing claims, these items are routinely left off initial estimates and routinely approved when documented:
- Starter strip: Often bundled into shingle cost, but it's a separate material and labor item
- Drip edge: Missed often, especially when code requires replacement
- Detach and reset: Gutters, skylights, HVAC curbs, satellite dishes, solar
- Roof deck replacement: Not visible until tear-off. Document with photos
- Additional layers: Multiple existing layers mean higher tear-off costs
- Permit fees: Required most places, often not included
- Steep slope charges: When pitch exceeds standard parameters
- High roof charges: For certain height thresholds
Documentation That Supports Supplements
Every supplement needs backup. Photos from tear-off showing deck damage. Material invoices confirming quantities. Code documentation from the local jurisdiction. The more specific, the faster things get approved.
Companies that document every job, not just the ones they plan to supplement, have a real advantage. When you need to file something six weeks later, the evidence is already there.