Guidelines For Reviewing Adjusters’ And Contractors’ Estimates

United Policyholders advises homeowners to carefully review insurance adjuster and contractor estimates after a major disaster because adjusters may be overextended, unfamiliar with the specific loss, or focused on managing the insurer’s exposure rather than fully documenting what the homeowner is owed. It emphasizes that the estimate depends heavily on the documented scope of loss, meaning homeowners should gather as much evidence as possible about their home’s pre-loss condition, including MLS listings, inspection reports, appraisals, permits, contractor records, purchase histories, photos, and as-built drawings.

It also explains how to scrutinize Xactimate estimates, which are commonly used by insurers. Homeowners should check for missing scope items, inaccurate room dimensions, inadequate waste factors, missing contractor overhead and profit, failure to account for post-disaster market conditions, omitted soft costs such as permits and design fees, and outdated pricing databases. The overall message is that homeowners should not assume the adjuster’s estimate is complete or accurate; they should ask questions, challenge omissions, educate themselves, and hire qualified professional help when needed to strengthen their negotiating position.
United Policyholders guidance for adjuster and contractor estimates.