Industry - General Contractors
Xactimate Estimating for
General Contractors
Full structural rebuild estimates for residential and commercial projects,
documented for insurance submission, not just internal job costing.
Key Performance Metrics
What General Contractors Actually Need from an Estimate
General contractors working insurance restoration jobs operate in a different world than contractors doing straight bid work. On a bid job, your estimate needs to convince one client. On an insurance job, it needs to satisfy a carrier's desk adjuster who is actively looking for reasons to reduce the scope - and who has the authority to cut line items, dispute trade costs, and deny O&P before you ever break ground.
Most GCs handling insurance work don't have a dedicated Xactimate estimator on staff. They're either writing scopes in a system they're not fully trained on, relying on a project manager to put together something that's close enough, or spending hours trying to match line items to what the carrier originally issued. None of those approaches produce an estimate that holds up consistently - and the gap between what you scoped and what the carrier approves comes directly out of your margin.
What We Cover
Structural rebuild estimates for residential insurance restoration projects
Commercial property damage scopes - multi-trade, multi-phase, and large loss
Full interior rebuild - drywall, flooring, cabinetry, finishes, and fixture replacement
Code upgrade documentation for permitted rebuild work
O&P documentation for multi-trade jobs requiring general contractor coordination
Supplement writing for underpaid or incomplete carrier estimates on GC projects
ACV and RCV estimates matched to policy type and carrier requirements
Partial loss scopes where only specific areas or systems are affected
Why Insurance Restoration Estimates Are Different from Bid Estimates
A bid estimate is written to win a job. An insurance estimate is written to get paid for one. The documentation standards are completely different – and treating them the same is one of the most expensive mistakes a GC can make on restoration work.
Carriers review Xactimate estimates looking for specific things: line items that match the damage documentation, trade costs that reflect local Xactimate matrix pricing rather than your internal rates, O&P that’s properly supported for jobs requiring coordination across multiple trades, and code upgrades that are tied to actual local building requirements rather than added as a general contingency.
The Problem
Why General Contractor Claims Get Disputed - and How We Prevent It
These are the four most common reasons GC insurance estimates get cut or disputed – and how we address each one before the file goes out.
O&P not documented for multi-trade jobs
Overhead and profit is owed on jobs where a general contractor is coordinating multiple trades. Carriers won't add it without proper documentation - and most GCs don't know how to structure that documentation in Xactimate to make it hold up.
Line items priced to internal rates, not local matrix
Carrier adjusters compare your line item pricing to the current Xactimate matrix for the loss location. When your numbers reflect internal cost structures instead of the local matrix, they get reduced - regardless of what the actual job costs.
Code upgrades added without local code documentation
Adding a code upgrade line item without tying it to a specific local building code requirement is easy for a carrier to deny. We scope code upgrades to what the local jurisdiction actually requires for the type of work being done.
Trades not broken out by line item
A GC estimate that lumps multiple trades into combined line items gives the carrier room to cut the whole amount. Drywall, paint, flooring, cabinetry, and structural work each need their own documented line items - separated, priced, and supported.
What We Cover
General Contractor Estimate Services
Every scope type GCs handle on insurance restoration – residential, commercial, partial loss, and supplement.
Residential structural rebuild
Full interior and structural rebuild estimates for single-family and multi-family residential insurance losses - trade-separated, code-upgrade documented, and priced to the local Xactimate matrix.
Commercial property damage scopes
Multi-trade, multi-phase commercial property damage estimates built for insurance submission - with proper trade breakdowns, O&P documentation, and local matrix pricing for the loss location.
Interior finish estimates
Drywall, flooring, cabinetry, paint, and fixture replacement - line items separated by trade and material type so carriers can review each component without bundling disputes.
Code upgrade documentation
Permitted rebuild work that triggers code upgrades needs those upgrades scoped to the specific local requirements - not added as a general line item a carrier can deny without a basis to challenge.
Supplement writing
When a carrier's initial estimate doesn't cover the actual scope of work, we go through it line by line and write the supplement with documentation supporting every missing or underpaid item.
Large loss and commercial estimating
Complex multi-trade losses on commercial properties - with full scope documentation, trade breakdowns, O&P, and a file structure that holds up on large claim carrier review.
What Makes Our General Contractor Estimates Different
Built for carrier submission, not job costing
We write Xactimate estimates to the documentation standard carriers use when reviewing GC restoration claims - not internal cost structures that don't translate to the adjuster's review process.
Certified estimators only
Every file is handled by an estimator with experience writing structural rebuild and commercial property damage claims - not a generalist applying a residential template to a commercial loss.
Rewrite guarantee
If the carrier disputes the estimate on scope or documentation grounds, we revise and resubmit at no additional cost. One flat rate, one file, done right.
PDF + ESX delivered
You get the finished PDF and ESX file within 48 hours - ready to submit to the carrier, share with the adjuster, or import directly into your Xactimate workflow.
How It Works
Three steps, 48 hours
Submit your scope
Send your field notes, photos, measurements, and the carrier estimate if one has already been issued. For commercial losses, include floor plans or sketches if available. No Xactimate software needed on your end.
We write the estimate
A certified estimator builds the full structural or commercial scope - trade-separated line items, O&P documentation, code upgrades tied to local requirements, and current Xactimate matrix pricing for the loss location.
Receive your file
PDF and ESX file delivered within 48 hours. Ready to submit to the carrier, hand to your adjuster, or import directly into Xactimate for review.
Pricing
Simple Flat-Rate Pricing
What Goes Into a GC Estimate That Carriers Approve
A general contractor insurance estimate that moves through carrier review without a fight has a specific structure. Trades are broken out by line item – drywall isn’t combined with paint, structural work isn’t bundled with finish carpentry. O&P is documented with a clear basis tied to the number of trades being coordinated and the complexity of the project. Code upgrades are referenced to the actual local building code requirement, not added as a round number that has no documented basis.
Pricing on every line item reflects the current monthly Xactimate matrix for the loss address ZIP code. Carriers check those numbers against their own system – and when yours match, the review is straightforward. When they don’t, every line item becomes a negotiation.
Common Questions from General Contractors
Do I need Xactimate software to submit my scope?
No – send your field notes, measurements, photos, and any existing carrier documentation through our upload form. We handle the full Xactimate build and deliver the finished PDF and ESX file within 48 hours.
Can you handle commercial property damage scopes?
Yes – multi-trade commercial losses, multi-phase projects, and large loss files. Commercial scopes vary in complexity and are priced accordingly; contact us directly for a quote on larger files.
How do you handle O&P on GC jobs?
We document O&P based on the number of trades involved and the general contractor coordination required by the scope. The documentation is structured the way carrier reviewers expect to see it – not added as a line item without a basis they can challenge.
Can you supplement an existing carrier estimate that underpaid the scope?
Yes – send us the carrier’s estimate and your documentation. We’ll go through it line by line, identify every missing or underpaid item, and write the supplement with the supporting documentation for each one.
What if we're already partway through the job when we realize the carrier estimate doesn't cover everything?
It’s not too late. We can write a supplement at any stage of the project as long as you have documentation of the scope – photos, field notes, and a record of what’s been done and what’s remaining. Reach out and we’ll walk you through what we need.
Trusted by Industry Professionals Across the U.S.
We’ve worked with general contractors ranging from single-crew residential restoration operators to commercial GC firms managing multi-phase insurance jobs on large properties. The companies below represent a portion of the contractors, restoration firms, and adjusting professionals who have trusted us to write their Xactimate estimates over the past 8+ years.
What Our Clients Have To Say
I recently engaged the services of a Rebuild Cost Estimator and the experience was nothing short of excellent. Their expertise in accurately assessing the costs associated with reconstruction was invaluable. The detailed breakdown provided a comprehensive overview, ensuring I had a clear understanding of the financial implications. This service proved instrumental in making informed decisions regarding my property. I highly recommend a Rebuild Cost Estimator for anyone seeking clarity and precision in their reconstruction endeavors. It’s an investment that pays off.
Muhammad Danish and his team’s water damage estimate was nothing short of outstanding. Their meticulous inspection and comprehensive report provided us with a clear understanding of the scope and cost involved. Their attention to detail and prompt response were commendable. We are confident in their expertise and highly recommend their services for any water damage assessment.
Muhammad Danish and his team demonstrated unparalleled proficiency in providing a fire damage estimate. Their thorough evaluation and detailed breakdown of restoration costs were instrumental in our decision-making process. The precision and accuracy in their assessment instilled confidence in us. We have no hesitation in stating that Muhammad and his team are the go-to professionals for fire damage estimates. Their expertise is second to none.
Ready to Submit a Stronger Claim?
Insurance restoration jobs pay what the estimate says they pay. Make sure yours is built to hold up. Send us your scope and
we’ll have a carrier-ready Xactimate estimate back to you within 48 hours.
