XACTIMATE ESTIMATING SERVICES
Xactimate Estimates Built Around the Actual Repair Scope
Claimsters provides contractor-side estimating support for roofing and general contracting businesses. We prepare Xactimate estimates line by line, review quantities and repair scope, and use the same regional price list as the carrier on insurance-related assignments.
ESTIMATING THAT STARTS WITH THE WORK
A useful estimate should reflect the repair that needs to be completed.
An estimate is only as useful as the scope, quantities and pricing behind it. Missing components, inconsistent measurements or unsupported line items can make it difficult for a contractor to plan the work or explain differences in an existing estimate.
Claimsters works as the contractor's own estimating and supplement team. The contractor engages Claimsters to work within its business. With the contractor's authorization, file correspondence can be handled through the contractor's company email so the contractor remains the consistent point of contact and can see the file communication.
For insurance-related estimates, Claimsters uses the same regional price list as the carrier's estimate and confirms the applicable list and date. Estimate items are supported, where relevant, by photographs, measurements, locally adopted code information and manufacturer requirements.
Claimsters prepares and supports the contractor's repair scope. It does not negotiate insurance settlements, interpret policy coverage or advocate for homeowners. Applicable state requirements are checked for each assignment.
WHAT WE REVIEW
A detailed estimate is more than a list of totals.
Each estimate is prepared around the documented property conditions and the work in scope. Applicable items depend on the project and its supporting information.
Measured repair scope
Build quantities from roof and exterior measurements, project dimensions and the documented work areas.
Materials and components
Include applicable components such as drip edge, starter, ice barrier, flashing, ridge materials and other supported work items.
Labor and work operations
Describe the operations and labor required by the documented repair, including supported labor minimums.
Detach and reset
Account for components that must be removed and reinstalled when the documented work requires it.
Regional price list
Use the carrier's same regional price list on insurance-related estimates and confirm the list's effective date.
Evidence-supported line items
Connect applicable items to labelled photographs, measurements, adopted code information or manufacturer instructions.
Not every category applies to every project. Estimate items are included only where supported by the repair scope and available documentation.
WHEN CONTRACTORS USE XACTIMATE ESTIMATING
Estimating support for different project stages.
Bring an individual estimate or use Claimsters as an estimating resource across your contractor workload.
New project estimates
Prepare a structured estimate from available measurements, photographs, scope notes and project information.
Carrier estimate review
Compare an existing estimate with the documented repair scope and identify quantities or components that need review.
Supplement estimates
Build additional repair scope line by line and connect supported items to photographs, measurements, code or manufacturer information.
Retail estimates
Prepare estimates for contractor jobs that are not insurance-funded.
Residential and commercial work
Support roofing and exterior estimates, including shingle, flat and metal roofing scopes and related exterior trades.
Symbility estimates
Prepare and deliver estimates in Symbility as well as Xactimate, according to the agreed assignment.
Contractor platform workflows
Work with contractor platforms such as AccuLynx as part of the agreed estimating and file process. This does not imply a new software integration.
Estimating training and consulting
Provide one-to-one estimator or project-manager training, team training and consulting to help contractors build their own supplement process.
ESTIMATE DOCUMENTATION
The estimate should be explainable, not just printable.
Claimsters builds estimates with the project information a contractor can use to explain the documented repair scope. Where relevant, supporting information may include:
Labelled photographs
Images connected to the specific estimate line items they support, including slope and elevation labels where relevant.
Third-party measurements
Measurement reports used to compare dimensions, quantities and roof or exterior areas.
Local code lookup
Reports showing the locally adopted code edition, amendments and relevant code sections for the property.
Manufacturer installation instructions
Product-specific installation requirements relevant to the materials and work included in the estimate.
Weather verification
Date-of-loss weather information where it is relevant to the reported damage and estimate.
Concealed-damage records
Dated photographs and same-day moisture readings when concealed damage is identified during tear-off.
HOW IT WORKS
A straightforward estimating workflow.
The contractor provides the file and authorization. Claimsters then prepares the estimate-only deliverable or follows the broader submission and approval workflow selected for the assignment.
Open the contractor file
Provide a company email address and authorize the work. For insurance files, send the carrier estimate or denial letter, available photographs and the measurement report. Carrier inspection photos should be included when available. For retail work, provide the job scope and project records.
Review the existing scope
Compare the estimate with project photographs, measurements and the documented work required. Identify missing items, quantity differences and supporting information.
Confirm price-list context
For insurance-related work, confirm the same regional price list the carrier used and verify the applicable list date.
Build the estimate
Prepare the agreed estimate in Xactimate or Symbility, with line items and quantities tied to the documented repair scope.
Submit when full service is selected
For the full service option, submit the estimate with supporting documentation and answer questions about estimate items in writing.
Follow up and deliver the revision
Record submissions, responses and deadlines. Open files receive weekly follow-up and contractor status updates. Deliver the carrier's revised estimate when issued.
SERVICE OPTIONS
Choose the estimating support your file needs.
Confirm the applicable service and fee before work begins. The fee depends on whether you need an estimate only or submission and follow-through.
ESTIMATE ONLY
Xactimate estimate preparation
Per estimate, delivered to the contractor for submission.
- Complete Xactimate estimate
- Documented repair scope
- Applicable estimate quantities
- Estimate delivery to contractor
ESTIMATE + FOLLOW-THROUGH
Estimate, submission and approval follow-through
Estimate fee, plus 7.5% of the increase approved by the carrier.
- Xactimate estimate
- Supplement documentation
- Submission and written responses
- Weekly follow-up and contractor status updates
- Deadline tracking and revised estimate delivery
DENIAL AND PARTIAL-DENIAL FILES
Estimate and evidence support
Of the increase approved by the carrier for eligible denial, partial-denial and below-deductible files.
- Evidence gathering and estimate preparation
- Code and manufacturer support
- Submission and written responses
- Reinspection requests where supported
- Weekly follow-up through the carrier's response
How the percentage fee is calculated
The increase is the difference between the carrier's original estimate and the amount the carrier finally approves after Claimsters' work. The full figures are used: the deductible and non-recoverable depreciation are not deducted before calculating the percentage. Amounts approved before Claimsters starts are excluded. On a denial, the initial approved amount is zero, so the full amount later approved is the increase. No percentage fee is owed when the carrier approves no increase.
Example: If the carrier initially approves $12,500 and later approves $20,000 after the supplement, the increase is $7,500. The 7.5% fee is $562.50, plus the $150 estimate fee.
Specialty work priced by bid
For work that does not fit a per-square or per-foot basis, such as metal, tile or slate roofing and certain specialty subcontractor work, the service model applies a 43% markup to the bid before overhead and profit. A $10,000 bid becomes $14,300 after markup. Where 10% overhead and 10% profit apply, these are added afterward, producing $17,160.
Separate service: Claims Management through supplement follow-up and depreciation release is priced at $500 per claim. It is not included in the fees above.
YOUR ESTIMATING RESOURCE
Add estimating capacity without building every role in-house.
A contractor can bring Claimsters a single file or an entire claim volume. Support can be arranged around individual estimates, a residential or commercial desk, a monthly retainer or a storm-surge retainer. The specific workload and responsibilities are agreed before work begins.
Individual files or ongoing volume
Use estimating support for a single project or discuss a standing arrangement for a larger contractor workload.
Residential and commercial desks
Discuss a dedicated residential desk, commercial desk, monthly retainer or storm-surge retainer.
Training and process development
Build internal estimating capability with one-to-one or team training and consulting on the contractor's supplement process.
SOFTWARE, TRAINING AND RETAINER OPTIONS
Estimating support can extend beyond a single file.
Claimsters builds and delivers estimates in Xactimate and Symbility and can work within contractor platforms such as AccuLynx. Training and consulting are also available for contractors who want to strengthen their own estimating and supplement process.
Xactimate and Symbility
Estimate preparation in either platform according to the scope and deliverable agreed for the job.
AccuLynx and contractor systems
Work with contractor platforms as part of the agreed business workflow. A new software product or custom integration is not implied.
One-to-one and team training
Train an estimator or project manager individually, train a wider office team, or consult on building an internal supplement process.
Desk and retainer arrangements
Discuss residential or commercial desks, monthly retainers and storm-surge retainer support for ongoing claim volume.
DOCUMENTED FILE EXAMPLES
Estimates and supporting information can change the documented scope.
These examples show specific file outcomes. They are not typical-result claims or guarantees, and any unresolved items are identified separately.
USAA · MARYLAND · SIDING SUPPLEMENT
A supported siding supplement moved the approved replacement cost to $22,273.20.
The carrier initially approved $9,386.40 and denied part of the siding scope. A supplement for $12,886.80 was approved, bringing the approved replacement cost to $22,273.20. The carrier used the submitted estimate as its settlement document with depreciation applied.
ERIE · OHIO · ROOFING SCOPE
A 30-shingle repair scope changed to a full roof replacement.
Erie's initial estimate allowed repair of 30 damaged shingles across four slopes. An itel product evaluation identified the shingle as discontinued with no match available. With the documented damage and Ohio's comparable-appearance rule considered, Erie approved a full roof replacement at a replacement cost of $24,450.97. Further supplement items remained under review.
See the Claimsters case studies for additional file examples and their documented status.
HOW CLAIMSTERS WORKS WITH YOUR BUSINESS
Your estimating team, working with your authorization.
The contractor provides a company email address and authorizes Claimsters to work within its business on the contractor's estimates and repair-scope documentation. The estimate, supporting documents and file correspondence are handled within the agreed authority and applicable state requirements.
Claimsters focuses on estimate scope, quantities, regional pricing, building-code information, manufacturer requirements and evidence-backed written responses. It does not negotiate or effect an insurance settlement, interpret policy coverage or exclusions, or advocate for a homeowner. Coverage and settlement questions belong with the homeowner's public adjuster or attorney.
Learn about Claimsters' contractor-side modelRELATED CLAIMSTERS SERVICES
Connect estimating with the next step in your workflow.
Choose additional support when your file needs supplement documentation, reinspection preparation or ongoing follow-through.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Xactimate estimating questions.
Review the estimating process, required information and service boundaries.
What is Xactimate estimating?
It is the preparation of a repair estimate in Xactimate, with line items, quantities and pricing that describe the contractor's documented repair scope.
Does Claimsters also prepare Symbility estimates?
Yes. The company overview states that Claimsters builds and delivers estimates in both Xactimate and Symbility.
Does Claimsters use the same price list as the carrier?
For insurance-related estimates, Claimsters uses the same regional price list the carrier used and confirms the applicable price list and date before rebuilding the estimate.
What information should I provide?
Start with a company email address, the carrier estimate or denial letter, available project photographs and the measurement report. Carrier inspection photographs should also be provided when available. Additional evidence depends on the assignment.
Does estimate-only service include carrier submission?
No. Estimate-only service is a complete estimate delivered to the contractor for submission. Submission, written responses and approval follow-through are included only when the broader service is selected.
How much does an Xactimate estimate cost?
Estimate-only service is $200 per estimate. The full estimate, submission and approval follow-through option is $150 for the estimate plus 7.5% of the increase the carrier approves after Claimsters' work. Denial, partial-denial and below-deductible files have a separate 4% approved-increase fee.
How is the approved increase calculated?
It is the difference between the carrier's original estimate and the amount finally approved after Claimsters' work. Previously approved amounts are excluded. The deductible and non-recoverable depreciation are not deducted before calculating the percentage. No percentage fee is owed if the carrier approves no increase.
Does Claimsters prepare retail and commercial estimates?
Yes. The company overview includes retail estimates for jobs that are not insurance-funded, as well as residential and commercial roofing and exterior estimating work.
Can Claimsters work with AccuLynx?
The company overview identifies AccuLynx as an example of a contractor platform Claimsters can work inside. Confirm the specific platform access, workflow and responsibilities before the assignment begins. This does not imply a proprietary CRM or custom software integration.
Does Claimsters provide estimator training?
Yes. The service model includes one-to-one training for an estimator or project manager, team training for an office and consulting for contractors developing their own supplement process.
Does Claimsters negotiate insurance settlements?
No. Claimsters prepares contractor estimates, supplements and supporting repair-scope documentation. Settlement negotiation, policy coverage interpretation and homeowner advocacy are outside the stated service role.
Does an estimate guarantee carrier approval?
No. An estimate documents a repair scope for review. The carrier makes its own decision. Claimsters does not guarantee approval or a specific payment amount.
Is depreciation follow-up included?
Claims Management through supplementing and depreciation release is a separate service priced at $500 per claim. It is not automatically included in estimate-only or estimate-and-submission fees.
START A ROOFING PROJECT
Let's prepare your Xactimate estimate.
Tell us about your contractor business and the estimating or supplement support you need. Claimsters will use these details to understand the request and confirm the appropriate next step.
- Single roofing files or ongoing contractor volume
- Xactimate estimating and supplement documentation
- Submission support and weekly file follow-up
Please do not submit policy numbers, sensitive personal information, payment details, or confidential claim documents through this general inquiry form.
PROJECT INQUIRY
Tell us what you need.
Fields marked with an asterisk are required.
READY TO DISCUSS AN ESTIMATE?
Get estimating support for your next contractor project.
Tell Claimsters whether you need an estimate only, submission and follow-through, retail estimating, training or ongoing desk support. We will review the file details and confirm the scope and fee before work begins.
Claimsters provides contractor-side estimates and supplement documentation in Xactimate and Symbility, including retail estimates for non-insurance-funded work, training and consulting. With the contractor's authorization, Claimsters works within the contractor's business and focuses on the contractor's repair scope and supporting evidence. Claimsters does not negotiate insurance settlements, interpret policy coverage or exclusions, or advocate for homeowners. Applicable licensing rules, local code editions, amendments and other jurisdiction-specific requirements are checked for each assignment.