The Xactimate Supplement Checklist for Roofing & Restoration Contractors
47 commonly missed line items, O&P arguments, and code upgrades. Use this checklist on every job before submitting to the carrier. Built by a claims professional with 7 years in the industry.
📋 47 items across 6 categories
⭐ $2K–$6K average recovery per job
🏗️ Roofing & Restoration specific
🔄 Free to share — link back appreciated
0 of 47 items checked
Check off items as you verify them on each job
How to use this checklist
Compare each item against the carrier's initial estimate. If the item applies to the job and the carrier didn't include it — supplement for it. This list covers roofing and interior restoration. Not every item applies to every job. Use your judgment and document with photos.
Category 1
Overhead & Profit (O&P)
O&P is the most commonly denied supplement item — and the one carriers fight hardest. You are entitled to O&P as a general contractor coordinating multiple trades. Use these arguments when carriers push back.
General Contractor O&P (10% + 10%)
Required when coordinating 3+ subcontractors or trades. Carriers often omit on "simple" roofs.
Most frequently missed
O&P on Permit Fees
Overhead and profit applies to permit fees just like material and labor costs.
O&P on Temporary Repairs
Emergency tarping, board-up, and temporary waterproofing all qualify for O&P.
O&P on Disposal Fees
Dumpster, haul-away, and debris disposal costs carry O&P just like labor.
⚠ O&P Pushback Script
When the adjuster denies O&P: "This loss involves coordination of multiple specialty trades including roofing, gutter installation, and interior repairs. As the general contractor of record, overhead and profit is standard and required under Xactimate guidelines when 3 or more trades are involved."
Category 2
Roofing — Commonly Missed Line Items
These items are included in or required by virtually every roofing job. Adjusters routinely exclude them — particularly items that are "assumed" to be part of tear-off.
Drip Edge / Eave Flashing
Required by IRC code on all new roofing installations. Often excluded from adjuster estimate entirely.
Code required
Starter Shingles
Separate line item from field shingles. Adjusters frequently lump these into shingle squares.
Frequently lumped in
Ice & Water Shield
Required in all northern states (and many others) at eaves, valleys, and penetrations. Adjusters often skip it entirely.
Code required many states
Ridge Cap Shingles
Separate product from field shingles. Always a separate Xactimate line item (RFG RIDGE+).
Decking Replacement Percentage
Adjusters often estimate 0% decking replacement. Inspect carefully — hail and age damage is common.
Always inspect
Step Flashing
At every wall/roof intersection. Required on full replacement — often excluded when adjuster focuses on field shingles only.
Pipe Jack / Boot Replacement
Rubber boots degrade and must be replaced on re-roofing. Adjusters frequently exclude all penetration flashings.
Ridge Ventilation (Linear Feet)
Ridge vents must be replaced on full tear-off and re-deck. Verify quantity against actual linear footage.
High Nailing Charge
Steep slope surcharge (7:12 or greater pitch). Adjusters routinely use standard labor without steep slope adjustment.
Check pitch carefully
Chimney Flashing / Counter Flashing
Step and counter flashing at chimney must be replaced with new roofing. Often a separate line item that adjusters miss.
Valley Flashing (Open or Closed)
Metal valley flashing or ice & water valley coverage. Always a separate line from field shingles.
Sheathing Clips / H-Clips
Required by code in many jurisdictions between trusses. Rarely included by adjusters on new decking estimates.
Code required — check local
Gutters & Downspouts
If hail-damaged (soft metals dent, aluminum dimples), supplement separately with photos of impact damage.
Gutter Guard Replacement
If existing gutter guards were removed to access fascia or gutters, they must be replaced. Always a supplement item.
Satellite Dish Removal & Reinstall
Dish must be removed and reinstalled during re-roofing. Phone/cable company may charge. Include both removal and reinstall.
Solar Panel Remove & Reset
Significant cost item. Requires licensed electrician in most states. Always supplement — adjusters frequently exclude or underestimate.
High value supplement
Category 3
State & Local Code Upgrades
Insurance carriers are required to pay for code-compliant replacements under most policies. These upgrades are often entirely omitted from initial estimates. Always reference the specific IRC or local code section when supplementing.
Permit Fee
Roofing permits are required in virtually every jurisdiction. Always a separate line item. Include local jurisdiction fee schedule if available.
Always required
Ventilation Upgrade (IRC R806)
Net free area of 1/150 of attic floor space required. If existing ventilation doesn't meet code, upgrade is covered.
IRC R806
Decking Thickness Upgrade
If existing decking is 3/8" and local code now requires 1/2" or 5/8", upgrade is a covered code requirement.
Underlayment Upgrade
Many newer codes require synthetic underlayment or specific felt weights. If existing doesn't meet code, supplement for compliant material.
Florida: Miami-Dade Approval
Products in Florida high-velocity hurricane zones must be Miami-Dade approved. Standard shingles may not qualify — supplement for compliant products.
Florida only
Texas: Wind Mitigation Upgrades
Texas requires specific nail patterns, starter strips, and sealant applications in coastal counties. Supplement if adjuster used standard specs.
Texas coastal
Category 4
Interior Restoration — Water & Fire
Interior restoration claims are the most commonly undersupplemented in the industry. Adjusters often write initial scopes at 50–65% of actual replacement cost. These are the highest-impact items to check.
Moving furniture, appliances, and personal property to perform repairs. Separate line from labor — always include.
Matching Rule — Paint
If repaired area cannot be matched to existing paint, full room or adjacent areas may need to be repainted. Supplement with photos.
Matching rule
Matching Rule — Flooring
If damaged flooring cannot be matched (discontinued material), entire room or floor run may be covered. Document with photos of existing.
High value
Prime Coat / Sealer
Required before paint on new drywall or repaired surfaces. Adjusters often include only finish coat in paint line.
Antimicrobial Treatment
Required on all water-damaged wood framing and OSB before enclosure. Adjusters frequently omit on water jobs.
Water damage
Temporary Living Expenses Reference
If property is uninhabitable during restoration, additional living expenses (ALE) may apply. Flag for homeowner to discuss with their carrier directly.
Category 5
Documentation & Carrier Submission
A complete supplement that's missing documentation is a supplement that doesn't get paid. These are the carrier-required documents that support your line items.
Damage Photos — One per line item supplemented
Every supplement line item needs photographic documentation of the damage or condition that supports it.
Required
Local Code Reference (for code upgrades)
Reference the specific IRC section, local building code, or manufacturer specification that requires the upgrade. Attach or reference in submission.
Required for code items
Material Cost Documentation
If prices have changed since the adjuster's estimate date, attach current supplier invoices or price sheets.
Xactimate ESX Line Item Descriptions
Each supplemented item should include the official Xactimate line item code (e.g., RFG DRIP+ for drip edge) not just a description.
Carrier Claim Number on Every Page
Include the full claim number and insured name on the supplement document and any attachments. Prevents misfiling at the carrier.
Cover Letter with O&P Argument (if applicable)
A professional cover letter explaining why O&P applies significantly increases approval rates. Reference the 3-trade coordination rule.
Increases approval rate
Category 6
Submission Timing & Follow-Up
When and how you submit affects approval rates. These are the timing and follow-up practices that experienced supplement specialists use on every job.
Submit before work begins where possible
Carriers are more likely to approve supplements submitted before you start work. Post-completion supplements require more documentation to prove necessity.
7-day follow-up if no response
Follow up with the adjuster by phone and email if no acknowledgment received within 7 business days. Document every contact attempt.
Escalate to supervisor after second denial
If a legitimate supplement is denied twice, request a supervisor review. Carriers often approve at supervisor level what desk adjusters deny.
Request holdback release at job completion
ACV holdback (RCV minus depreciation) must be explicitly requested after work is complete. It does not release automatically — you must ask.
Never automatic
Want us to write every supplement for you?
Send the estimate and photos. Our trained specialist handles the Xactimate supplement writing — O&P, code upgrades, every line item. Returned in 24–72 hours. Average recovery: $2,000–$6,000 per job.
Created by Jack Leszczynski · Founder, Chosen Local · Milwaukee, WI · chosen-local.com
Free to share and use. If you reference this checklist on your site or in your content, a link back to chosen-local.com/supplement-checklist is appreciated but not required.