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Contractor estimate versus insurance scope checklist

An apples-to-apples insurance restoration checklist for matching damaged areas, quantities, materials, removal and replacement, access and protection, code and permit work, taxes and overhead, depreciation, prior damage, emergency mitigation, contents, temporary repairs, exclusions, contractor supplements, and owner-responsibility items before signing a restoration contract.

6 items to check

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Both documents cover the same buildings, rooms, elevations, roof planes, and damaged components

Critical item

A price comparison is invalid when physical scope differs.

Measurements, quantities, waste, material grade, matching, and replacement limits are reconciled

Critical item

Differences should be supported by measurements, product identification, policy terms, or repair feasibility.

Demolition, disposal, drying, protection, permits, testing, code work, setup, and finish restoration are included or assigned

Critical item

Complete restoration includes necessary connected work, not only visible replacement material.

Unit prices, tax, overhead and profit, minimum charges, depreciation, deductible, and owner upgrades are separated

Critical item

The owner should distinguish covered repair cost from policy payment and voluntary betterment.

Coverage denials, limitations, prior damage, maintenance, matching, ordinance, and causation questions are documented

Critical item

Contractor opinion does not replace insurer coverage determination, and insurer estimate does not replace technical investigation.

The signed contractor scope matches the reconciled work and preserves unresolved claim items

The owner should not sign an open-ended contract based only on anticipated insurance proceeds.

Use after receiving an insurer estimate or adjuster scope and one or more contractor proposals. An insurer estimate, policy coverage decision, and contractor construction contract are different documents and should be reconciled line by line. Do not climb storm-damaged roofs, enter unstable or flooded structures, touch downed electrical conductors, operate fuel-powered generators indoors, or begin hazardous cleanup without qualified direction. Emergency safety and temporary weather protection come before detailed inspection.

Reference standards

  • The homeowner insurance policy and endorsements, insurer claim instructions, mortgage-servicer requirements, applicable state insurance and contractor rules, adopted building code and permit requirements, signed restoration contract, authorized change orders, and exact repair-system manufacturer instructions
  • Current insurer estimate and coverage correspondence, contractor proposals, permits, product instructions, and state insurance guidance

    • Tools

  • Policy declarations and endorsements, claim number, adjuster scope, contractor estimate, photographs, permits, invoices, and communications log
  • Camera, weather-safe ground-level observations, inventory worksheet, moisture or restoration records, and independent professional reports where needed
  • Payment, mortgage-servicer draw, depreciation, supplement, lien-waiver, warranty, and closeout records

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