What is Xactimate?
Short answer: Xactimate is property-claims estimating software made by Verisk.
It is used across the insurance restoration industry to scope and price damage to homes and commercial buildings. Because many carriers and adjusters write their own estimates in Xactimate, contractors who submit their estimates in the same format make it easier to compare the scopes line by line.
What is an Xactimate estimate?
Short answer: An itemized list of the work needed to repair a loss, with each line item priced from a regional price list.
A typical Xactimate estimate includes:
- A sketch of the affected rooms or structure, which drives measurements and quantities
- Line items for each task, identified by a category and selector code (for example, a drywall removal line or an air mover line)
- Quantities and units (square feet, linear feet, each, hours, days)
- Unit prices pulled from a price list for the job's location and date
- Notes that explain or justify specific items
- Totals, including tax and, where applicable, overhead and profit
Learn how to read an Xactimate estimate line by line.
See the Xactimate glossary for terms like ESX, F9 notes, selectors, O&P, RCV and ACV.
Who uses Xactimate estimates?
Short answer: Insurance carriers, independent and staff adjusters, restoration contractors, roofers and general contractors working on insurance claims.
For a restoration contractor, the estimate is the basis of the invoice. If work isn't on the estimate, it's usually not on the invoice.
How is an Xactimate estimate built?
Short answer: From the job documentation: sketch, photos, readings and scope notes.
Document the loss.
Photos, measurements or a 3D scan, moisture readings and notes.
Sketch the structure.
Rooms, walls, openings and ceiling heights.
Add line items.
Every removal, replacement, cleaning and equipment task.
Check quantities.
Line items tie back to the sketch and the records.
Add notes.
Explain why items were needed, citing standards like IICRC S500 for water or S520 for mold where relevant.
Review and finalize.
Then export (often as an ESX file and PDF) and submit.
Why does a good Xactimate estimate matter?
Short answer: Because the estimate is the invoice. Missed line items are unbilled work.
Small tasks repeated across rooms (prep, protection, detach and reset, cleaning, monitoring) are easy to leave off. A complete estimate supported by documentation reflects the job that was actually done. Supplements exist to add what was missed.
Should I write my own Xactimate estimates or outsource them?
Short answer: Outsource when estimate writing is taking owner or crew time away from the job, or when volume doesn't justify a full-time estimator.
Writing your own requires an Xactimate license, training and a lot of evenings. Hiring a full-time estimator costs roughly $100,000–$130,000+ a year all-in. Outsourcing means paying per estimate.
How much does an outsourced Xactimate estimate cost?
Short answer: It depends on the pricing model. At Redefined Restoration, it's $150 or 1% of the approved estimate, whichever is higher.