Insurance estimate vs. contractor estimate: why they differ
5 min read
After storm damage, you may end up with two documents that describe the same roof very differently: the insurance adjuster's estimate (what the carrier approved) and your contractor's estimate (what they say the job takes). When the numbers don't match, it's confusing — but the difference usually comes down to scope, not anyone being wrong.
They're measuring different things
The adjuster estimates what the policy covers for the documented damage. The contractor estimates what it takes to actually build the roof to code today. Code upgrades, extra layers, or items the adjuster didn't capture can legitimately appear on the contractor's version as supplements.
Terms worth knowing
RCV (replacement cost value) is what it costs to replace; ACV (actual cash value) is RCV minus depreciation. Carriers often pay ACV first and release the rest once work is done. Your deductible comes off the top. Understanding these turns a baffling document into a readable one.
What to do with the gap
Lay the two scopes side by side and see where they differ line by line. That tells you what to ask — both of your contractor and your carrier. ScopeCheck explains the differences in plain English; it does not adjust, negotiate, or represent you in a claim, and neither should anyone who isn't a licensed professional you've chosen.