What is a roofing supplement company?

A roofing supplement company reviews insurance carrier estimates, identifies missing or underpaid line items, writes a supplemental Xactimate estimate, and submits it to the carrier for additional payment. The Estimate Company is run by licensed independent adjusters who know exactly what carriers look for.

How does Xactimate supplementing work for roofing contractors?

Xactimate supplementing starts when a roofing contractor sends us the carrier's initial estimate. We review every line item against current price lists and manufacturer requirements, identify underpaid or missing items, write an updated Xactimate estimate with F9 notes and photo documentation, and submit it to the insurance carrier. We follow up 2-3 times per week until the supplement is approved.

What states do you write roofing supplements in?

The Estimate Company holds active insurance adjuster licenses in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, Texas, and Alabama. We write Xactimate supplements and insurance estimates for roofing contractors across all 50 states.

How fast is your Xactimate turnaround?

We submit supplements to the desk adjuster within 24 hours of receiving the file — every time. Most other supplement companies take 5-7 business days. Our next-day turnaround is standard, not a premium.

What is your fee for roofing supplement services?

We charge 15% of the supplemental recovery — the difference we recover beyond the carrier's initial payout. You pay nothing unless we recover more for you. For contractors sending 2+ claims per week, we guarantee a minimum of six figures in additional margins over 12 months, or we write you a $5,000 check.

Why did you start The Estimate Company?

Seven years ago, we saw a shift coming to the industry where contractors were going to have the opportunity to capture more business through insurance repair relationships. We also saw a clear gap between what insurance companies were paying and what they should be paying. Legitimate items are left off estimates constantly — code upgrades, missing line items, manufacturer standards. We built a due-diligence process to comb through every estimate and include every line item that's warranted. Nothing more, nothing less.

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How to Bill Emergency Tarps Correctly in Xactimate

By Kyle Hamrick · March 22, 2026

Emergency tarp billing is one of the fastest ways for roofing contractors to lose money on a claim. Not because the coverage isn't there — it usually is. But because most tarp estimates are written as a single vague line item that carriers cut without hesitation.

Here's how tarp estimates should be written in Xactimate to get full payment — and why most contractors leave significant money on the table.

Why Carriers Cut Tarp Billings

Carriers apply maximum pressure to tarp billing because the estimates are usually vague. When a carrier gets an invoice that says “Emergency Tarping — $1,800” with no supporting detail, their position is simple: we'll pay $600 and dare you to fight it.

Without itemized documentation, there's nothing to dispute. When you have proper Xactimate line items with quantities and labor calculations, you have a defensible position.

The Correct Xactimate Line Items for Tarp Estimates

A properly written tarp estimate in Xactimate includes separate line items for each component:

Roof tarp — material

Calculate actual SQ footage covered, not just the damaged area. The tarp must overlap significantly to provide protection.

Roof tarp — labor

Separate labor line with appropriate time for the actual pitch and height. A 9:12 roof takes more time than a 4:12.

Ridge cap treatment

Ridgeline work requires separate line item for material and labor.

Anchor boards / ballast bags

Real physical materials. Include as separate line items with quantities.

Rope and fasteners

Small materials that carriers try to absorb into the general tarp line — keep them separate.

Height / steep slope factor

Second-story and steep roof access requires additional labor. This is a legitimate and Xactimate-supported additional cost.

Emergency call premium

If this was an after-hours or same-day response, document and bill the emergency premium.

The Payment Direction Problem

One issue contractors frequently run into: tarp payment goes to the homeowner instead of the contractor. This happens when the supplement isn't structured with the contractor as the payee from the start.

When we write tarp supplements at The Estimate Company, we structure them explicitly so the payment is directed to the contractor who performed the emergency work. This requires the right documentation and assignment structure — it's not automatic.

Re-Tarp Situations

High wind events sometimes displace tarps before permanent repairs can be made. A second mobilization is a second billing event. Don't let carriers combine re-tarp costs into the original estimate — document each mobilization separately.

What a Full Tarp Supplement Recovers

On a typical residential roof with emergency tarping — 1,500-2,500 square feet, two-story, 6:12 pitch — a properly written Xactimate tarp supplement typically runs $1,800 to $3,500+. Most contractors who submit a simple invoice collect $600 to $900. The difference is documentation, line items, and knowing how carriers evaluate tarp claims.

Let us write your tarp supplement

24hr turnaround. Correct Xactimate line items. Structured for contractor payment.

Emergency Tarp Service Email Kyle