What Xactimate Is (And Isn't)
Xactimate is the industry-standard estimating platform used by insurance carriers, public adjusters, and restoration contractors. It prices work by pulling from a database of regional labor and material costs that updates quarterly. The problem isn't the software — it's the scope. Xactimate prices whatever the adjuster tells it to price. If a line item was never entered, it won't appear.
The Cover Page: What to Check First
- ●Policy number and date of loss: Confirm the loss date matches your storm. Adjusters occasionally attribute damage to prior events.
- ●Pricing database: Look for a line like 'Source: Xactimate 2025 Q4 CO.' If the pricing list is more than one quarter old, rates may be below current market.
- ●Inspection date vs. report date: A long gap between these two dates often means the report was generated from notes, not fresh documentation.
- ●Total RCV vs. ACV: Replacement cost value (what it costs to restore) vs. actual cash value (depreciated). If you have a standard policy, you're entitled to RCV minus your deductible — not ACV.
Line Items That Are Almost Always Missing
- ●Drip edge — eave vs. rake: Should appear twice. Under IRC R905.2.8.5, eave and rake installations are separate operations. A single 'drip edge' line is incomplete.
- ●Permit fee: PPRBD requires a permit for every residential re-roof. It's a real cost — if it's not in the estimate, the carrier owes it.
- ●Starter strip: A continuous row of shingles along the eave is required by code and manufacturer warranty. Often missing from estimates on older roofs.
- ●Ridge ventilation: If the existing ridge vent is damaged or your home requires a balanced ventilation upgrade under R806.2, it belongs in the claim.
- ●Dump trailer: Removal and disposal of old shingles is a legitimate cost line. Sometimes buried under 'tear-off' or simply absent.
- ●Soft-metal line items: Gutters, downspouts, AC fins, window screens — each is a separate documentable line, not a catch-all.
When to Ask for a Supplement
If any of the above are missing, you can request a supplement from your carrier. A supplement is a formal request to add items to an existing claim — it does not require reopening or re-filing. You have the right to submit a supplement at any point before you accept the final settlement.
Depreciation: What's Recoverable
Most replacement cost policies include a holdback — the carrier pays ACV now and releases the depreciation when work is complete and invoiced. But code-required items like drip edge, ventilation, and permits are typically not subject to depreciation — they must be installed regardless of the roof's age. Never let a carrier depreciate a code-compliance line item.
The O&P Line: Overhead and Profit
General contractors coordinating multiple trades on an insurance project are entitled to a 20% overhead and profit markup (typically 10% + 10%). If Revival is managing your claim and restoration, O&P applies. If your adjuster's estimate doesn't include it, that's a supplement opportunity worth thousands on a full replacement.
We Review Estimates at No Charge
If you share your Xactimate estimate with our team, we'll review it for free and tell you exactly what's missing and what we can recover through a supplement request. Most homeowners are surprised by what's been left off.