Industry - Homeowners
Independent Property Damage
Estimates for Homeowners
If your insurance company’s payout doesn’t cover what your repairs actually cost, we’ll write an
independent Xactimate estimate that shows exactly what your claim is worth.
Key Performance Metrics
Your Insurance Company Has an Estimator. Now You Can Too.
When you file a property damage claim, your insurance company sends an adjuster to assess the damage and write an estimate. That estimate determines how much you get paid. What most homeowners don't realize is that the adjuster works for the insurance company - not for you. Their job is to document the damage accurately, but their estimate doesn't always reflect what local contractors actually charge to do the work.
If the check you received doesn't cover your repair costs, you're not imagining it. Carriers use Xactimate - an industry-standard estimating software - to price every line item in your claim. The numbers in that software update monthly and vary by ZIP code. When the adjuster's estimate uses outdated pricing, misses items that were damaged, or leaves out code upgrades your contractor needs to complete the job legally, the payout comes up short.
What We Cover
Water damage estimates - extraction, drying, demo, and structural repair
Fire and smoke damage scopes - structural, contents, and full rebuild
Storm and hail damage - roof, siding, windows, gutters, and exterior
Dispute support - reviewing your carrier estimate and documenting what was missed
Lowball settlement documentation - showing the gap between paid and actual repair cost
Full rebuild estimates for total loss properties
Independent scope writing when no contractor estimate is available
Why Your Insurance Settlement May Not Cover Your Actual Repair Costs
It happens more often than most homeowners expect. The adjuster visits, documents the damage, and issues an estimate – and when you start getting contractor quotes, the numbers don’t match. The contractor sees items the adjuster didn’t include. The materials your house needs cost more than the estimate allows. There are code upgrades required to get a permit that weren’t in the settlement at all.
None of this means your carrier is acting in bad faith. It means the initial estimate isn’t always final – and that homeowners who document their claim properly and request a supplement often receive a higher settlement. An independent Xactimate estimate gives you the documentation to do that.
The Problem
Why Homeowner Claims Get Underpaid - and What You Can Do About It
These are the four most common reasons homeowners end up with a settlement that doesn’t cover their actual repair costs.
The adjuster missed items during the inspection
A single visit to a damaged property doesn't always catch everything - especially hidden water damage, secondary structural issues, or items inside walls and ceilings. An independent estimate documents what was missed and gives you a basis to request it be added to your claim.
The estimate uses outdated or incorrect pricing
Xactimate pricing is ZIP-code specific and updates every month. If your adjuster's estimate uses pricing that doesn't reflect current local costs for materials and labor, the payout will be lower than what your repairs actually cost - even if every item is accounted for.
Code upgrades weren't included
When your contractor repairs or rebuilds damaged areas, they're required to bring the work up to current local building codes - even if the original construction didn't meet those standards. Those upgrades cost money, and carriers frequently don't include them in the initial estimate.
You accepted the first offer without knowing you could negotiate
Most insurance policies give you the right to dispute a settlement you believe is inaccurate. An independent Xactimate estimate gives you the documentation to do that - a professionally prepared scope that shows what the repairs actually cost and where your carrier's estimate falls short.
What We Cover
Property Damage Estimates for Homeowners
Every damage type homeowners face – water, fire, wind, hail, mold, and more.
Water damage estimates
Burst pipes, appliance leaks, storm flooding, and roof-related water intrusion - documented with extraction, drying, demo, and rebuild line items priced to your local Xactimate matrix.
Fire and smoke damage estimates
Structural loss, content damage, deodorization, and rebuild costs - scoped in full and documented for comparison against your carrier's settlement or for use in a formal supplement request.
Wind and hail damage estimates
Roof, siding, windows, gutters, and exterior structures - damage documented and priced to current local Xactimate rates so you know if your carrier's roofing settlement is accurate.
Mold damage scopes
When water damage goes unaddressed or is underscoped by the carrier, mold is often the result. We document mold remediation costs in full so you have a basis to include them in your claim.
Supplement documentation
If your carrier has already issued a settlement and you believe it's too low, we can write an independent estimate and supplement documentation to support a formal request for additional payment.
Code upgrade documentation
We identify the code upgrades your repair work will require under local building codes and document them in a format your carrier can review and add to your settlement.
Why Homeowners Trust Us with Their Claims
We work for you - not the carrier
Our estimates are independent. We're not affiliated with your insurance company, and we have no incentive to underestimate your damage. We document what we see in the field documentation you provide, priced to what repairs actually cost in your area.
The same estimators who work with professionals
The certified estimators who write reports for public adjusters, attorneys, and restoration contractors are the same people handling homeowner claims. You get the same documentation standard - not a simplified consumer version.
Plain language, not insurance jargon
We explain what's in the estimate and why. If you want to understand what each line item means and how it relates to your claim, we'll walk you through it. Most homeowners have never seen a Xactimate estimate before - we make sure you know what you're submitting.
PDF delivered, ready to submit
You receive a finished PDF estimate within 48 hours - ready to submit to your carrier, share with your contractor, or hand to a public adjuster if you decide to involve one.
How It Works
Three steps, 48 hours
Send us what you have
Photos, repair quotes, and your carrier estimate if you have one. No special software or experience required - just send us what you have through our upload form.
We write your estimate
A certified estimator reviews your documentation, identifies what's missing or underpaid in the carrier's scope, and produces an independent Xactimate estimate priced to current local rates - with documentation you can use to request a higher settlement.
Receive your estimate
Your finished PDF estimate is delivered within 48 hours. We'll explain what we found, what the carrier missed, and how to use the estimate to request a supplement or dispute the settlement.
Pricing
Simple Flat-Rate Pricing
You Don't Have to Accept the First Number Your Insurance Company Gives You
Most homeowners don’t know their insurance policy gives them the right to dispute a settlement they believe is inaccurate. The process isn’t complicated – but it does require documentation. A personal opinion that the settlement is too low doesn’t move the needle. An independent Xactimate estimate that documents exactly what was missed, what was underpriced, and what code upgrades are required – that’s what gets a carrier to reopen a file.
If you’ve received a settlement that doesn’t cover your repair costs, send us the carrier estimate and your damage documentation. We’ll tell you whether the gap is real, how large it is, and what we can do to help you document it.
Common Questions from Homeowners
How do I know if my insurance settlement is too low?
The clearest sign is when contractor quotes for your repairs come in higher than what the insurance company paid. Other signs include your adjuster not going into certain areas during the inspection, code upgrades your contractor says are required that aren’t in the settlement, and materials priced lower than what your contractor is actually being quoted. If any of those apply, an independent estimate is worth getting.
What do I need to send you to get started?
Send your carrier’s estimate if you have one, photos of the damage, your property address, the date the damage occurred, and a brief description of what happened. Contractor quotes are helpful but not required. We’ll work with whatever documentation you have.
Will getting an independent estimate cause problems with my insurance company?
No. Most homeowners insurance policies explicitly give you the right to dispute a settlement and to obtain an independent appraisal of your damage. Requesting a supplement or disputing a settlement is a standard part of the claims process – carriers deal with it routinely. An independent estimate is documentation, not a legal action.al cost.
What happens after I receive my estimate?
You can submit it directly to your carrier as the basis for a supplement request, share it with a public adjuster if you decide to involve one, or provide it to an attorney if the dispute has escalated. We’ll explain the estimate clearly and answer questions about how to use it – most homeowners haven’t been through this process before and we don’t assume you know what to do next.
What if my carrier rejects the supplement request?
If the carrier disputes the estimate on documentation grounds, we revise at no additional cost. If the dispute escalates beyond a supplement request – into appraisal or formal dispute – we can produce a more detailed report suitable for that process. We can also refer you to public adjusters and attorneys we’ve worked with if you need that kind of representation.
Trusted by Industry Professionals Across the U.S.
Over the past 8+ years, we’ve worked with thousands of property owners, public adjusters, and attorneys on damage claims across all 50 states. The professionals below represent a portion of the contractors, adjusting firms, and legal professionals who have referred homeowners to us when an independent Xactimate estimate was what the claim needed.
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.
Get an Independent Estimate Before
You Accept the Settlement
If your insurance company’s number doesn’t add up, find out why. Send us your claim documentation and
we’ll have an independent Xactimate estimate back to you within 48 hours.
