Hurricane & Flood Claim Action Guide

What To Do Before, During, and After the Adjuster Inspection

Homeowner Action Plan + Mitigation Checklist + Missing Items Guides

READ THIS FIRST

This guide is not designed to turn you into an adjuster, contractor, estimator, engineer, or public adjuster.

It is designed to help you avoid one of the biggest problems homeowners face after a hurricane, flood, or major water loss: a poor first estimate.

Most claim delays begin because something was missed. A room was missed. A building component was missed. An assembly was missed. Or the homeowner assumed someone else would catch it later.

Later is where delays begin.

What This Guide Does

• Document the damage before it disappears.
• Identify what was affected.
• Make sure the right questions get asked.
• Make sure the entire assembly is considered before the estimate is written.

You are not deciding coverage. You are not pricing repairs. You are not arguing with anyone. You are making sure the people writing the estimate see the entire project before they leave.

The Entire Process In One Page

1. Step 1: Before the storm, create a visual record of your home.
2. Step 2: After the storm, create the same visual record again before anyone touches anything.
3. Step 3: Walk the house and identify what was affected and what is attached to it.
4. Step 4: Hand the mitigation company the mitigation checklist.
5. Step 5: Hand the adjuster the missing-items guides for the affected rooms or assemblies.
6. Step 6: Provide the same missing-items guides to the contractor or restoration estimator preparing the repair estimate.
7. Step 7: Document additional damage as it is discovered and notify the adjuster.

That is the process. Everything else in this guide supports those seven steps.

PART 1 - HURRICANE & FLOOD CLAIM ACTION GUIDE

This is the action section. Read this first. The appendices are tools to hand to the mitigation company, adjuster, and contractor.

The One Concept That Controls This Guide

The damaged item is rarely the entire repair.

Most homeowners focus on what they can see. The estimate has to account for what is attached to it, what touches it, what has to be removed, and what has to be put back.

Simple Example: Kitchen Cabinets

Flood water damages lower kitchen cabinets.

Most homeowners see lower cabinets.

The repair may also involve countertops, sink, faucet, plumbing, backsplash tile, appliances, outlets, and upper cabinets that may need to be protected, detached, or reset depending on the work.

The point is not to learn estimating. The point is to make sure the person writing the estimate sees the full assembly.

STEP 1 - BEFORE THE STORM: Create A Visual Record

Before the storm arrives, create a simple visual record of your home.

The easiest method is four photographs per room. Stand in each corner and photograph the opposite side of the room.

You can also do a short video walkthrough. A video is faster, but photographs are usually easier to organize, share, and review later.

The goal is not to create hundreds or thousands of photographs. Too many photographs can overwhelm the adjuster, contractor, mitigation company, and you.

The goal is to create a clear visual record of what each room looked like before the loss.

• Living rooms
• Kitchens
• Bedrooms
• Bathrooms
• Laundry rooms
• Garages
• Basements
• Attics
• Closets and storage rooms

Store the photographs on your phone, in cloud storage, on an external drive, or by emailing them to yourself.

A simple reminder is to update these photographs every Leap Year or whenever major changes are made to the home.

STEP 2 - AFTER THE STORM: Take The Same Photos Again

When it is safe to return, repeat the same process before anyone starts removing materials.

Use the same four-photo method in each room. If you took a video before the storm, take a new video after the storm.

You want the before and after pictures to match as closely as possible. Same rooms. Same general angles. Same visual story.

This matters because the adjuster may never see the original damage.

If water entered the home, mitigation may begin before the adjuster arrives. Wet drywall may be cut out. Wet flooring may be removed. Cabinets may be removed. Insulation may be removed. Contents may be moved or discarded.

That does not mean the damage never existed. It means your photographs become the evidence.

What To Capture After The Storm

• Four photographs of each affected room
• Clear photographs or video of flood lines or water marks
• Exterior photographs from the ground
• Visible roof, siding, window, door, fence, pool, screen enclosure, shed, or detached-structure damage
• Mechanical equipment touched by water, including HVAC, water heaters, electrical panels, pool equipment, and appliances

Do not climb onto a roof. Photograph only what can be safely seen from the ground.

Do not worry yet about whether the loss is flood, wind, wind-driven rain, homeowners insurance, flood insurance, FEMA, or something else. Coverage questions come later. Documentation comes first.

Flood Lines Matter

If water entered the home from storm surge, rising water, tidal water, or overflowing inland water, treat the loss as a flood loss for documentation purposes.

Look for flood lines, water marks, staining, discoloration, debris lines, or dirt accumulation. Doors and door jambs often show the clearest flood line. Drywall may wick above the actual water level, so photograph both the visible line and the materials around it.

STEP 3 - Walk The House And Identify The Assemblies

You are not writing an estimate. You are not arguing coverage. You are not deciding what should be paid.

You are creating a roadmap for the inspection.

Walk every affected room and ask four questions:

• What was touched by the loss?
• What is attached to it?
• What has to be moved or removed to repair it?
• What has to be put back after repairs are complete?

You do not need to know the price. You do not need to know the line item. You are making sure the issue is identified before the estimate is written.

Kitchen Example

If lower cabinets are affected, do not stop at lower cabinets. Ask what is attached to those cabinets and what sits above them.

• Countertops may need to be removed or reinstalled.
• Sink and faucet may need to be disconnected and reconnected.
• Plumbing may need to be disconnected and reconnected.
• Backsplash tile may be affected when countertops are removed.
• Outlets and switches in the backsplash area may need to be detached and reset.
• Upper cabinets may need protection, detachment, or resetting depending on the repair.

Flood Cut Example

If flood cuts are made four feet high through the house, look at what is attached to those walls.

• Outlets may need to be detached and reset.
• Switches may be near the cut line and may also need to be addressed.
• Baseboards, door casings, trim, shelving, registers, and other wall-mounted items may be involved.
• The issue is not one missed outlet. The issue is whether all related items were missed throughout the house.

Bathroom Example

If the lower portion of a tile shower, tub surround, or bathroom wall is removed, the estimate may need to consider the entire system, not just the visible lower piece.

• Tile systems may not be repairable in isolated sections.
• Shower trim, doors, shelves, niches, and accessories may be involved.
• Vanities, tops, sinks, plumbing, toilets, mirrors, and accessories may need to be moved or reset.

The Point Of The Room Guides

The missing-items guides in the back of this document are not homework for the homeowner.

They are tools. If the kitchen is damaged, place the kitchen guide in the kitchen. If the bathroom is damaged, place the bathroom guide in the bathroom. If the roof is damaged, keep the roofing guide ready when discussing the roof.

When you walk the property with the adjuster, hand them the applicable guide for that location. You are not telling them how to do their job. You are making sure commonly missed assemblies are in front of them before the estimate is written.

STEP 4 - Mitigation: Protect The Property Without Creating A New Problem

If water entered the property, mitigation usually cannot wait. Mold growth and additional damage can occur quickly. Do not unnecessarily turn away a mitigation company during a catastrophe because you may not get another crew back for days or weeks.

At the same time, read what you are signing. Many homeowners later discover that the authorization allows the company to pursue them directly for unpaid balances.

Before Signing A Mitigation Authorization

• Read the authorization agreement.
• Ask whether you are personally responsible for unpaid balances.
• Ask for copies of all documents before anyone leaves.
• Keep authorization forms, contracts, drying logs, photographs, invoices, and communications together.

What To Say To The Mitigation Company

Suggested Language

I understand mitigation may be necessary and I do not want to delay drying.

Before your estimate is submitted, I am providing this mitigation checklist so the claim does not become inflated, delayed, or disputed later.

I am not questioning your work. I am trying to avoid common estimating issues that create delays.

If possible, I would like to review the estimate before it is submitted. If not, I will ask the adjuster whether the estimate includes any of the issues listed in this checklist.

Then provide Appendix A - Mitigation Checklist.

STEP 5 - Adjuster Inspection: Help Them See The Project Before They Leave

By the time the adjuster arrives, mitigation may already be completed. The house they inspect may not look like the house that was damaged.

That is why the photographs matter.

When the adjuster arrives, explain that you photographed the rooms before mitigation began. Ask whether they are writing the estimate on site or completing it later.

Suggested Language

I photographed each room before materials were removed.

Are you writing the estimate here today, or are you completing it later?

If you are completing it later, I want to make sure you have the photographs and the applicable missing-items guides for each affected area.

During The Walkthrough

• Walk room by room.
• Show the before and after photographs.
• Point out flood lines and affected areas.
• Hand the applicable missing-items guide in the room where it applies.
• Do not argue pricing or coverage during the walkthrough.
• Focus on making sure the full assembly is identified.

If you are in the kitchen, use the kitchen guide. If you are in the bathroom, use the bathroom guide. If you are outside discussing roofing or siding, use those guides.

The goal is simple: make sure the first estimate is as complete as possible. The closer the first estimate is to reality, the fewer delays usually occur later.

STEP 6 - Repair Estimate: Use A Restoration Estimator When Possible

A contractor proposal is not the same thing as an insurance repair estimate.

Many contractors are excellent builders, remodelers, or repair contractors. That does not mean they write insurance estimates correctly.

Before relying on a contractor estimate, ask one question:

Question To Ask

Do you regularly write insurance estimates and supplements?

If the answer is no, that does not make them a bad contractor. It means their proposal may need to be reviewed by someone familiar with restoration estimating before it becomes the baseline for the claim.

Give the contractor or restoration estimator the same missing-items guides you gave the adjuster. If the estimate is built from the right assemblies early, supplements are easier to support and delays are reduced.

STEP 7 - Additional Damage Or Missing Scope Discovered Later

Additional damage may still be discovered. That is normal.

When it happens, do not submit vague labor hours or rough guesses. Document the issue clearly.

• Take photographs.
• Identify the room.
• Identify the damaged material or missing assembly.
• Explain why it was not visible or known earlier.
• Send the information to the adjuster.
• Give the adjuster an opportunity to inspect if required by the policy or requested by the carrier.

If the additional scope is real, document it like real scope. Photographs matter. Damaged materials matter. Clear explanations matter.

PART 2 - MITIGATION CHECKLIST

Hand this section to the mitigation company before the mitigation estimate is submitted.

The homeowner is not expected to review hundreds of mitigation line items. This checklist exists to help prevent common estimating issues that create delays, disputes, re-inspections, and reductions later.

Suggested Email / Hand-Off Language

I am providing this checklist before your estimate is submitted.

I am not questioning your work or asking you to reduce valid scope.

I simply want to avoid common estimating issues that create delays and disputes later in the claim.

Please review your estimate before submission and make sure the scope is clear, documented, and supportable.

The purpose of this checklist is to identify common estimating issues that frequently create delays, disputes, supplements, re-inspections, and additional claim review.

Please review your estimate prior to submission.

Common Issues That Create Delays

• Duplicate rooms
• Duplicate cleaning charges
• Duplicate labor charges
• Duplicate equipment charges
• Whole-house cleaning when damage is localized
• Whole-house fogging without supporting conditions
• HEPA vacuuming on standard clean water losses without supporting conditions
• Antimicrobial application on non-porous materials without supporting conditions
• Excessive content manipulation charges
• Excessive drying days without supporting moisture documentation
• Full hazardous PPE on standard clean water losses
• Extensive floor protection in wet or demolished areas
• Out-of-sequence estimating

Drying Documentation

If drying exceeds three (3) days, please make sure documentation supports the additional drying time. Three days is not a universal drying limit; actual drying time depends on the materials, conditions, moisture readings, and supporting documentation.

If unusual materials are present such as:

• plaster
• dense materials
• specialty assemblies

please document those conditions.

Water Category

Please make sure the scope reflects the actual category of water involved.

Category 1

Clean water.

Examples:

• Frozen pipe breaks
• Supply line leaks
• Clean appliance leaks

Category 1 losses typically do NOT require:

• Full hazardous PPE
• Extensive antimicrobial application
• HEPA vacuuming across entire structures
• Whole-house fogging
• Biohazard-level containment

Category 2

• Partially contaminated water
• Water containing some level of contamination.

Examples:

• Water mixed with dirt or debris
• Overflow from appliances
• Long-standing clean water exposure

Category 2 losses may require:

• More detailed cleaning
• Some antimicrobial application
• Additional drying and monitoring

But scope still needs to match actual conditions.

Category 3

Severely contaminated water.

Examples:

• Sewage backups
• Toilet overflows involving waste
• Floodwater from outside sources

This is where:

• Full PPE
• Extensive containment
• HEPA vacuuming
• Contaminated-water cleaning procedures
• Aggressive disinfection

may actually be justified.

Estimate Structure

The estimate should generally follow:

Identify affected materials
Remove damaged materials
Clean remaining materials
Dry the structure
Document conditions

Goal

The goal is not to reduce scope.

The goal is not to dispute charges.

The goal is to create a clear, supportable estimate that keeps the claim moving.

Keep a copy showing this checklist was provided before the estimate was submitted.

PART 3 - MISSING ITEMS GUIDES

These pages are tools, not homework. Use only the sections that apply to the damaged areas.

If the kitchen is damaged, use the kitchen-related sections. If the bathroom is damaged, use the tile, drywall, electrical, plumbing-related, countertop, and painting sections that apply. If the roof is damaged, use the roofing section. Do not hand over sections that do not apply.

How To Use These Guides

Print or save the sections that apply to your loss.

Place each guide in the room or area where it applies.

Walk the area with the adjuster and give them the applicable guide.

Give the same guide to the contractor or restoration estimator.

The goal is to help everyone see the entire assembly before the estimate is written.

SUPERVISION VS O&P

What Homeowners Usually Miss

• Supervision and O&P are not the same thing
• Multi-trade projects still require coordination and oversight regardless of how the estimate is structured.
• Removing one line item does not remove the actual work required to manage the project

What To Look For

• supervision line items
• project management supervision
• scheduling
• multi-trade coordination

Why It Matters

Projects do not manage themselves.

Someone must:

• schedule trades
• coordinate materials
• answer questions
• inspect completed work
• address problems when they arise
• make sure the project moves in the correct sequence

The fact that carpenters, painters, plumbers, electricians, flooring installers, and other trades are skilled at their work does not eliminate the need for project supervision.

The estimate should accurately reflect how the project will actually be managed.

The goal is not to create additional charges.

The goal is to make sure the estimate reflects the real work required to complete the project properly.

Important note moving forward: Detach & Reset vs Remove & Install

Do not confuse these two operations.

Detach & Reset is generally used when an item is temporarily removed so work can be performed and then reinstalled shortly thereafter.

Remove & Install is generally used when the item is removed, stored, protected, transported, or reinstalled much later as part of a larger reconstruction process.

During catastrophe claims, repairs often occur weeks or months after demolition and mitigation are completed.

Because of this, it is important to make sure the estimate accurately reflects how the work will actually be performed.

The purpose of this guide is not to determine which operation should be used.

The purpose is to help identify situations where the estimate may need additional review to ensure the full scope of work has been considered.

TILE

Every bathroom and tile installation is different.

This section is designed to help you recognize:

• how tile estimates are commonly structured
• what is often bundled together
• what is commonly broken out separately
• and what items are commonly overlooked

SCENARIO 1 — Full Tile Shower / Tub Assembly Pricing

If your estimate contains:

• one large-value line item for a full tile shower or tub surround replacement

Example:

• Tile shower — 61 to 100 SF
• Tile tub surround — up to 60 SF

These assemblies commonly include:

• grout
• grout sealing
• bullnose / finished edge pieces
• corner shelves
• soap dishes
• shower curbs
• thresholds

Commonly Separate Items

• niches
• detach/reset shower trim
• detach/reset tub trim
• detach/reset shower curtain rod
• detach/reset shower doors
• replacement of shower doors when reinstall is not realistic
• detach/reset of curtain rod

Why It Matters

Once tile is removed and rebuilt, wall depth, alignment, and flatness often change.

In many situations, shower doors do not reinstall correctly after replacement.

SCENARIO 2 — Tile Written Primarily By Square Foot

If your estimate is primarily written:

• by square footage only

Do not get confused by this section.

Tile estimates are often written one of two ways:

• As a complete tile assembly like above OR
• By individual square foot line items

When tile is written as a complete assembly, many supporting items may already be included.

When tile is written primarily by square footage, many supporting items may need to be listed separately.

That does not automatically mean the estimate is wrong.

It simply means additional items may need to be reviewed to make sure the entire assembly has been addressed.

The purpose of this section is to help identify commonly overlooked items that may need to be considered when tile is written primarily by square footage.

Tile Components Commonly Missed

• bullnose / finished edge pieces
• Schluter strips / edge trim
• decorative feature strips / bands
• niches/bench or seat
• corner shelves
• soap dishes
• shower curbs
• thresholds
• grout sealing
• diagonal tile add-on labor
• backsplash labor

Detach & Reset Items

• shower body trim
• towel bars
• towel rings
• toilet paper holders
• mirrors or wall accessories
• outlets and switches
• plumbing trim
• curtain rod

Shower Doors

• detach/reset shower doors
• replacement shower doors when reinstall is not realistic

Possible Supporting Materials & Condition-Dependent Items

• cement board / backer board
• mortar bed
• water-resistant drywall
• waterproof membrane systems
• sealing drywall before tile installation

SCENARIO 3 — Kitchen Tile Backsplash

Commonly Missed Items

• backsplash add-on labor
• bullnose / finished edge pieces
• decorative feature strips / bands
• cuts around outlets and switches
• detach/reset outlets and switches
• wall repair behind backsplash tile
• add for diagonal if present
• add for murals if present
• seal/paint drywall before tile installation

Additional Conditions

• upper cabinets may require detach/reset
• items attached beneath cabinets may require removal and reinstall

ROOFING

Roof estimates are commonly written in separate line items.

Commonly Included / Associated Items

• roofing felt / underlayment
• laminated / architectural shingles
• hip & ridge cap shingles
• continuous ridge vent
• starter shingles
• ice & water barrier
• drip edge
• pipe jack flashing
• roof vent detach/reset
• flashing replacement around penetrations like skylights
• steep roof charges
• high roof charges
• roofing tear-off labor
• perimeter cleanup
• dumpster / debris hauling
• satellite detach/reset • skylights
• skylight flashing kit
• chimney flashing
• valleys

Patch Repairs vs Facet Replacement

Many roofing systems are installed in connected sections called facets.

In many situations:

• shingles are woven together between roof sections
• repairs cannot be isolated cleanly
• patching may create warranty and liability concerns

Because of this:

• contractors may replace an entire roof facet instead of performing a small patch repair

If the damaged facet is woven into another roof section:

• the connected section may also require replacement

EPDM / BUILT-UP ROOF SYSTEMS

Flat roofing systems are commonly underestimated because estimates often focus only on the visible membrane or roofing surface.

Commonly Included / Associated Items

• ISO board insulation
• tapered ISO board systems
• base sheet installation
• fastening systems / nailing patterns
• cap flashing
• counter flashing
• parapet flashing
• perimeter flashing
• skylight flashing
• edge terminations
• termination bars
• cant strips
• slope transitions
• pitch pans / pitch pockets
• penetration sealing systems
• vent flashing systems
• pipe penetration sealing
• coping systems
• precast coping replacement
• crane access
• scaffolding
• bridging or access systems
• safety requirements in occupied areas
• permits and structural requirements

Flat roofing systems are layered assemblies.

In many situations:

• the visible roofing layer is written
• but the supporting system underneath is not fully reflected

Tapered ISO systems, flashing systems, penetration sealing, and transition components are commonly missed when the estimate only focuses on the membrane itself.

SIDING

Siding estimates are commonly written by square footage.

However, the siding panel itself is only one part of the exterior system.

Commonly Included / Associated Items

• siding panels
• starter strip
• J-channel / J-vent
• house wrap / moisture barrier
• fan fold insulation board
• foam insulation board
• corner posts
• trim pieces
• fascia
• soffit
• window and door trim wrap / brake metal
• utility trim / finish trim
• gutters and downspouts detach/reset
• exterior light fixture detach/reset
• electrical meter detach/reset
• electrical mast detach/reset
• scaffold setup and access labor
• siding removal
• perimeter cleanup
• dumpster / debris hauling

Additional Conditions

• wall build-out to match existing depth conditions
• depth matching around windows and transitions
• brake metal damage during removal

HARDWOOD FLOORING

Hardwood flooring estimates are commonly simplified into:

• remove flooring
• install flooring
• sand and finish

Commonly Included / Associated Items

• hardwood flooring material
• plank width matching
• wood grade matching
• waste material
• flooring removal
• flooring installation
• sanding
• sealing
• finish coats
• transition pieces
• thresholds / saddles
• weaving or splicing labor
• stair sanding and finishing
• air scrubbers for dust regardless of dustless sanding
• temporary 220V power setup
• detach/reset base molding
• repainting base molding after reinstall
• wall painting when molding removal damages wall finish

Additional Conditions

• continuous flooring extending into adjacent rooms
• pre-finished hardwood limitations
• older over-sanded flooring conditions
• cabinets / appliances / countertops affected by flooring replacement

VINYL PLANK / SHEET GOODS / VINYL TILE

Vinyl Plank Flooring

Commonly Included / Associated Items

• vinyl plank flooring material
• flooring removal
• flooring installation
• waste material
• transition pieces
• thresholds / saddles
• detach/reset base molding
• detach/reset shoe molding / quarter round
• repainting molding after reinstall

What Homeowners Should Understand

Most standard and average-grade vinyl plank flooring may not be designed to be detached and reset. Manufacturer instructions and the condition of the flooring should be considered before assuming it can be removed and reinstalled.

Vinyl Sheet Flooring (Linoleum)

Commonly Included / Associated Items

• vinyl sheet flooring material
• underlayment replacement
• floor patch / skim coating
• floor leveling where required
• waste material based on roll width
• thresholds / saddles
• shoe molding / quarter round

What Homeowners Should Understand

Vinyl sheet flooring is purchased by roll width and cut length — not exact room square footage.

Vinyl Tile Flooring

Commonly Included / Associated Items

• vinyl tile removal
• vinyl tile replacement
• adhesive removal
• floor preparation
• leveling compound
• detach/reset base molding or shoe molding
• repainting molding after reinstall

Additional Conditions

• asbestos tile beneath finished flooring
• asbestos-containing adhesive (mastic)
• abatement requirements
• hazardous material handling and disposal

CARPET

Carpet estimates are commonly simplified into:

• carpet by square foot
• padding
• flat waste percentage

Commonly Included / Associated Items

• carpet material
• waste material
• layout-based measurement
• seam placement
• thresholds / saddles
• carpet cuts based on roll width 12 foot or 15 foot goods
• stair nosing detail
• runner fabrication labor
• upgraded carpet padding
• detach/reset base molding (if base is not raised off floor by 3/16 – this is for pinching of carpet)
• repainting molding after reinstall

What Homeowners Should Understand

Carpet installation depends on:

• roll width
• layout
• seams
• trimming
• installation method

Flat waste percentages often do not fully account for layout and installation conditions.

Carpet is sold in 12-foot and 15-foot goods, and they are not interchangeable.

For example, if the carpet being ordered is 15-foot goods, you cannot substitute 12-foot goods and seam them together within the room.

KITCHEN CABINETS

Kitchen cabinet estimates are commonly simplified into:

• upper cabinets by linear foot
• lower cabinets by linear foot

Commonly Included / Associated Items

• modified cabinets (how to tell? If you have a greater depth than 12 inches the cabinets become high grade 12 inch depth is a stock cabinet)
• modified deluxe cabinets
• custom sizing
• increased cabinet depths
• finished end panels
• dovetail drawer construction
• rollout trays
• Lazy Susans
• pantry pullouts
• appliance garages
• crown molding
• light rail molding
• under-cabinet lighting
• backsplash removal
• wall repair behind backsplash
• detach/reset upper cabinets
• detach/reset crown molding
• plumbing modifications
• P-trap replacement
• supply line replacement
• dishwasher disconnect/reconnect
• refrigerator water line detach/reset
• gas flex line replacement
• cabinet knobs and handles

Additional Conditions

• protection and storage of upper cabinets during construction
• sanding/refinishing labor
• cabinet refacing considerations
• finish consistency concerns with stained cabinetry (difficult to re-create and can lower value of home)

COUNTERTOPS

Laminate Countertops

Commonly Included / Associated Items

• laminate countertop material
• subdeck / build-up layer
• backsplash
• edge detailing
• sink cutouts
• seams
• fabrication labor
• detach/reset sink
• disconnect/reconnect plumbing

Quartz / Granite / Stone Countertops

Commonly Included / Associated Items

• sink cutouts
• stove cutouts
• edge fabrication
• premium edge profiles
• seams
• backsplash
• fabrication labor
• remove/install vs detach & reset as well as protection & storing labor
• sink detach/reset
• disconnect/reconnect plumbing

Additional Conditions

• countertop wrapping and protection
• multiple-worker handling
• storage during construction
• buff and polish after reinstall

Solid Surface Countertops (Corian-Type)

Commonly Included / Associated Items

• integral sinks
• built-up edges
• edge fabrication
• backsplash
• sink fabrication
• fabrication labor
• remove/install labor

FINISHED CARPENTRY / CROWN MOLDING

Commonly Included / Associated Items

• crown molding detach/reset
• crown molding replacement
• outside corner returns
• inside corner returns
• stained or clear-coated finishes
• wrapping and protection during removal
• storage during construction
• reinstall labor
• base molding
• door casing
• window trim
• shoe molding / quarter round

What Homeowners Should Understand

Outside corners, stained finishes, and detailed trim profiles often create additional labor and reinstall challenges.

HVAC / DUCTWORK CLEANING

Commonly Included / Associated Items

• duct cleaning
• HVAC system cleaning
• cleaning of source heating unit
• access openings into ductwork (patch drywall where ductwork is accessed)
• register and vent cleaning
• odor removal within the system
• air scrubbers
• negative air systems

What Homeowners Should Understand

If an air handler, furnace, electrical components, controls, motors, or other HVAC equipment was saturated or flooded, have the system inspected by a qualified HVAC or electrical professional before it is placed back into service. Water exposure can damage electrical and mechanical components and may create a shock, short-circuit, or fire hazard. Do not assume equipment is safe simply because it appears to operate.

PANELING / DROP CEILINGS / CEILING TILE

Commonly Included / Associated Items

• paneling removal and replacement
• V-groove / butterfly paneling
• tongue-and-groove paneling
• drywall behind paneling
• insulation replacement behind wall systems
• cove / crown molding removal and replacement
• ceiling tile removal and replacement
• ceiling grid replacement
• fluorescent light fixture detach/reset
• HVAC register detach/reset
• stapled ceiling tile removal
• glued ceiling tile removal

What Homeowners Should Understand

Paneling and ceiling systems are often connected. Disturbing one section may affect the entire ceiling system.

ELECTRICAL

Commonly Included / Associated Items

• outlet detach/reset
• switch detach/reset
• cover plate removal and reinstall
• electrical adjustment after wall replacement
• armored cable (BX) evaluation
• odor-related wiring replacement where applicable

What Homeowners Should Understand

Electrical components are not automatically included within drywall, tile, or paneling scope.

In fire losses, odor may become trapped inside armored cable systems.

DRYWALL / PLASTER

Drywall and plaster estimates are commonly written by square footage only.

Commonly Included / Associated Items

• drywall removal and replacement
• taping and finishing
• corner bead replacement
• returns and soffits
• ceiling tie-ins
• recessed light trim detach/reset
• HVAC register detach/reset
• outlet and switch detach/reset
• plaster wall replacement
• 5/8-inch drywall substitution where appropriate

What Homeowners Should Understand

Drywall labor is often driven more by:

• corners
• returns
• soffits
• tie-ins
• fixture removal

than by square footage alone.

PAINTING

Painting estimates are commonly simplified into:

• walls
• ceilings
• trim

Commonly Included / Associated Items

• wall painting
• ceiling painting
• trim painting
• door painting
• jamb and casing painting
• shelving painting
• crown molding painting
• base molding painting
• caulking where trim was previously caulked
• primer coat on new materials
• two finish coats on new materials
• one finish coat on existing painted surfaces
• orange peel matching
• textured ceiling painting
• door knob detach/reset
• door detach/reset
• shelving detach/reset
• thermostat detach/reset
• doorbell chime detach/reset
• motion sensor detach/reset
• light fixture detach/reset
• recessed light trim detach/reset
• HVAC register detach/reset
• floor masking and protection
• masking of ornate light fixtures

What Homeowners Should Understand

Painting labor is commonly driven by:

• preparation
• masking
• detach/reset labor
• texture matching
• number of fixtures and openings within the room

Once the number of fixtures, trims, registers, or shelving systems increases significantly, additional labor may become necessary.

For full explanations and case studies, visit ClaimHelpMe.com.

The goal of this guide is not to create arguments with adjusters or contractors.

The purpose is to:

• help identify commonly missed scope items
• help clarify what may need to be addressed
• and help hold all parties accountable for making sure the estimate is complete

This guide covers many of the most common issues and missed items found in real-world insurance estimates.

It is not intended to cover every possible claim condition, especially:

• large commercial losses
• highly specialized construction
• or total loss situations

For larger or more complex claims, use the free information and case studies available at ClaimHelpMe.com.

The website contains:

• deeper explanations
• supporting arguments
• real-world examples
• and detailed breakdowns of how these issues are commonly handled and documented.

The goal is not conflict.

The goal is:

• proper scope
• proper documentation
• and proper restoration.

PART 4 - REFERENCE NOTES

Flood Claims vs Homeowners Claims

Flood claims and homeowners insurance claims are often handled differently. In some losses, you may have a flood claim, a homeowners claim, or both at the same time.

That does not change the first steps in this playbook. The damage still needs to be documented. The rooms still need to be photographed. The assemblies still need to be identified. The estimate still needs to be written correctly.

The difference is determining which policy pays for which portion of the damage.

For example, if flood water damages lower kitchen cabinets, the applicable flood coverage may address the damaged lowers and necessary related work. Exactly what is covered, including handling of countertops, backsplash, plumbing, or other connected components, depends on the policy, the cause and extent of damage, and the conditions of the repair. Do not assume undamaged components are automatically replaced simply because they are connected to damaged materials. A homeowners policy may evaluate the repair differently depending on the cause of loss, coverage, matching/value issues, and policy language.

Do not try to solve that argument on Day One. Document the damage first. Identify the assemblies first. Coverage and allocation come later.

Contents

Contents losses are a separate process. You may work with a contents inventory company, a pack-out company, the mitigation company, or complete portions of the inventory yourself.

The photographs you took before the storm and after the loss help identify what was in each room, what was damaged, what was removed, and what was discarded.

This playbook focuses on documenting the property, preserving evidence, and helping the first estimate start closer to reality. Contents inventory work may require separate documentation.

If contents were damaged, destroyed, removed, cleaned, stored, packed out, or inventoried, refer to the Contents / Fire Guide for a detailed walkthrough of the contents process.

HOA And Condominium Claims

HOA and condominium claims may involve an HOA master policy, a unit owner policy, a flood policy, or some combination of them.

Different portions of the loss may be paid by different policies depending on the governing documents and the cause of loss.

The process in this guide still applies. Document the rooms. Identify the assemblies. Preserve the evidence. Then determine which policy applies to which portion of the damage.

Final Thoughts

This guide was not designed to teach insurance, estimating, or construction.

It was designed to help you avoid one of the biggest problems homeowners face after a catastrophe: a poor baseline estimate.

Everything starts with the first estimate. The closer that estimate is to reality, the fewer delays, supplements, re-inspections, and disputes usually occur later.

You are not becoming an estimator. You are making sure the estimator sees the whole project.

Let the adjusters, contractors, and mitigation companies do their jobs. Your job is making sure they have the information they need before they start or before they leave.

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