Effective Techniques for Increasing Roofing Supplement Revised Estimates
Why Revised Estimates Matter
When you file a roofing insurance supplement, your goal isn't just to get a few missing line items added. It's to make sure the full scope of work required for a proper, code-compliant roof replacement is reflected in the final estimate. That final number, the revised insurance estimate, is what determines your job's profitability.
Contractors who don’t adjust the estimate to match the real scope often end up absorbing those costs, which can shrink their profit margin job after job. Especially with today’s fluctuating labor and material costs, every missing line item or inaccurate quantity makes a real difference.
At OneScope, we help contractors submit clean, accurate, and thoroughly documented supplements that routinely increase the revised estimate by thousands of dollars. Below, we break down techniques that consistently produce results, along with real examples from our work.
Real Examples: How Our Supplements Drive Higher Estimates
Here are a few real-world examples of how OneScope’s supplementing process has helped contractors recover thousands in underwritten scope, using code references, clear documentation, and smart review practices.
Example 1: Residential Project in Maryland
Original Insurance Estimate: $20,521.75
Supplement Total: $15,023.93
Revised Insurance Estimate: $35,545.68
What Worked:
Corrected waste calculations for shingles and tear-off using EagleView data
Added missing code-required items such as starter strip and drip edge
Addressed ridge and hip coverage with specific line item breakdowns
Submitted clearly labeled photos and documentation for all added items
Example 2: Residential Project in Pennsylvania
Original Insurance Estimate: $24,676.28
Supplement Total: $9,557.41
Revised Insurance Estimate: $34,233.69
What Worked:
Added underlayment and valley metal not originally included
Used pitch-based quantity adjustments to correct steep charge application
Highlighted code compliance upgrades with direct references to local IRC standards
Submitted documentation showing specific missing scope areas with elevation tags
Example 3: Large Residential Project in Virginia
Original Insurance Estimate: $164,822.02
Supplement Total: $37,619.11
Revised Insurance Estimate: $202,441.13
What Worked:
Addressed large-scale material and labor discrepancies between actual scope and original estimate
Included significant quantities of missed replacement items (e.g., fascia, drip edge, flashing)
Provided line-by-line breakdown with pricing references and full documentation
Clarified application zones (e.g., steep areas, specialty details) using EagleView visuals and labeled images
In each of these examples, the results weren’t a one-time win - they reflect our standard operating process for scope alignment.
Tactical Techniques That Increase Revised Estimates
1. Use Xactimate to Match Industry Standard Pricing
We build all supplements in Xactimate and use it to align with how insurance carriers evaluate line items. That means:
Selecting the correct local pricing profile
Avoiding vague or combined charges
Breaking out labor and materials clearly for each scope item
This not only improves clarity, it increases trust and drives approvals.
2. Leverage EagleView (or Similar) for Quantity Accuracy
Don’t eyeball or guess. We use EagleView data to:
Align quantity-based line items (shingles, tear-off, underlayment) with pitch
Justify steep charge line items with exact slope sections
Reference EagleView waste recommendations explicitly in our supplement
This ensures your supplement matches the measurable facts of the project, not assumptions.
3. Apply Local Building Codes Thoughtfully
Blanket code claims rarely hold up. We increase approval odds by:
Citing specific IRC references or local municipal code
Including side-by-side comparisons between what's missing and what’s required
Adding manufacturer specifications where codes are ambiguous
In some cases, we’ve helped contractors get over $5,000 approved just from missed code-required line items like ice and water shield or valley metal.
4. Submit Strong Documentation
Clear, annotated photos and clean file structure make it easier for insurance adjusters to approve what’s requested.
Before/after and close-up photos with markup
Scope photos labeled by elevation or slope
Highlighted code item placement on EagleView images
Well-structured documentation can be the difference between immediate approval and a 2-week delay.
5. Follow Up Strategically
Once submitted, we track response timelines internally and follow up only when needed.
No excessive calling or emailing
Just-in-time follow-ups based on insurer workflow cycles
We keep supplements moving without bogging you down in back-and-forth.
Why Contractors Struggle to Increase Their Revised Estimates
Even experienced contractors struggle with the time and documentation burden required to improve revised estimates.
The most common reasons supplements fall flat:
Missed quantities
Missing photos
No code references for added items
Unclear or combined line items in Xactimate
That’s why our team exists - to take this off your plate and get it done right the first time.
Increase Your Earnings
See how we can help with a free consultation.
How OneScope Increases Estimates
Our team has processed thousands of supplements for roofing contractors, and we specialize in building clean, defensible supplements that result in higher revised estimates.
We do the scope review, gather documentation, build out the supplement in Xactimate, and follow up to get it closed, without you having to chase down a thing.
We slot seamlessly into your workflow, so you don’t need to hire internally or retrain your crew to build supplements from scratch.
