Restoration Estimates: Top 5 Aspects of a Great Restoration Estimate

10/4/2021 (Permalink)

Contact the professionals at SERVPRO for precise restoration estimates!

A property owner will want a professional restoration estimate after a property has received damages.

No one ever plans on calling a restoration company for an estimate because damages to a property are often unexpected.

When you call the right company to perform a restoration estimate, they will submit the estimate to your insurance company for reimbursement on your behalf with professional restoration estimating software. Restoration estimating software is the number one known way restoration companies and insurance adjusters keep accurate costs based on the property's location.

The following blog is intended for those who have recently had damages to their property and want to know what makes an excellent restoration estimate. By the end, you will learn what consists of a restoration estimate and the five essential aspects of a quality estimate.

What is a restoration estimate?

A restoration estimate is a document that provides the property owner with a detailed list of damages, restoration needs, resources required for completion, the necessary personnel needed throughout the restoration process, and an overview of how long the restoration project is expected to take place.

When to call for a restoration estimate?

The best time to call for a property restoration estimate is right after property damages occur because the restoration estimate will serve as a supporting document for an insurance adjuster to reimburse restoration costs to the property owner.

What qualifies a professional estimator?

A professional restoration estimator is an individual that has qualified experience and certifications in using the leading restoration estimating software, Xactimate. Xactimate is a restoration estimating software with a consistently updated price list based on the property's location.

A professional restoration estimator has undergone extensive training on Xactimate, the leading restoration estimate creation software. Xactimate offers three certification levels, and once all three are passed, the restoration estimating professional will know how to quickly create accurate restoration estimates using all of the Xactimate tools.

Five aspects of an excellent restoration estimate

The restoration estimate is one of the most important aspects to consider when it comes to restoration services. A restoration estimate should be detailed, accurate, and fair. It should also include five essential aspects:

1) The scope of work

2) Materials needed

3) Labor costs

4) Room by room breakdown

5) Cost for miscellaneous items (e.g., permits, dumpster fees)

An excellent restoration estimate will include the five aspects above but what is even more necessary is explaining each line item on the restoration estimate. In most cases, an insurance adjuster will want to see why a particular item is priced a certain way. For example, the restoration estimator may have to itemize more floortile than needed when handling odd dimensions.

With the proper explanation attached to a restoration estimate, the restoration professional will be more likely to get the estimate approved by an insurance adjuster. In turn, the property will be put back together with quicker repair times.

Why call the estimating professionals at SERVPRO?

We hope you enjoyed learning about the five essential aspects of an excellent restoration estimate. When choosing the right restoration company to handle your disaster restoration repairs, you will want to ensure that they have proper restoration estimate experience and certifications. 

When your property has received damages, you should contact the professionals at SERVPRO of East Dayton/ Beavercreek for a professional restoration estimate.

We are Xactimate certified and understand that an excellent restoration estimate should have well-explained line items so the property owner and insurance adjuster can understand what will be done to complete their restoration project.

Please contact us today! Our professionals are available 24/7, 365 days a year, for any questions or emergencies regarding property restoration.