When you’re estimating roofing repairs for an insurance claim, it’s important to know what you’re getting with each line item, especially when it comes to tearing off shingles and felt (the material underneath shingles). Two popular estimating platforms – Xactimate and Symbility – let you choose how detailed you want to be when estimating these aspects of an insurance repair.
Let’s break down what each one offers and what you need to watch out for.
Xactimate: Two Main Choices
Option 1: Tear Off + Haul + Dump (All-In-One)xt Here
This line item covers everything:
● Removing shingles and felt
● Hauling away the debris
● Dump fees
Easy to use and includes all costs in one step.
Option 2: Tear Off Only (No Haul Off)
This one just covers:
● Removing the shingles and felt
It doe not include:
● Hauling debris away
● Dump fees
You’ll need to add a dumpster and hauling cost manually to make the estimate complete.
Symbility: Same Choices, Different Usage
Option 1: Tear Off + Haul + Dump (All-In-One)
Just like Xactimate’s first option, this includes everything.
But here’s the catch:
Most insurance companies using Symbility skip this option and go with the next one.
Option 2: Tear Off Only (No Haul Off)
- This only includes the removal of shingles and felt.
- I does not include hauling or dump fees.
You’ll need to add those manually too. - Symbility has a tool to help you figure out the right dumpster size—but many insurers forge
to use it.
Why This Matters
If debris removal isn’t included in the estimate, you’re leaving money on the table. We often help our clients catch these missing items and add thousands of dollars to their insurance claim estimates. Key Takeaway
No matter which platform you use:
● Some options include everything you need
● Some require you to add extra items manually
● Missing those extras can lead to underpaid claims
Need help figuring out what’s missing or correcting an estimate? Contact United Estimating. We do this every day and we’re here to help.