Emergency Tarp Estimates
Carriers Lowball Tarp Billing.
We Know Exactly What They Should Pay.
Emergency tarps are fast money in theory — but carriers routinely cut tarp billings in half or more. We write tarp estimates in Xactimate with every line item documented, structured correctly, and submitted within 24 hours.
Why Tarp Estimates Get Cut
Carriers apply maximum pressure on tarp billing because most tarp invoices are bare minimums — a single line for “emergency tarping” with a flat dollar amount. Without proper line-item breakdown, carriers treat tarp bills as negotiable. They pay 40 cents on the dollar and dare you to fight it.
A properly written Xactimate tarp supplement eliminates that ambiguity. Every line item is documented, every cost is justified, and the carrier has no basis for a blanket reduction.
Line Items Carriers Try to Cut — That We Always Include
Roof tarp — correct SQ footage at actual coverage
Carriers often use square footage calculations that undercount actual material used
Ridge cap material and labor
Ridgeline tarping requires separate material — regularly omitted
Anchor and weight bags
Sandbags, anchor boards, or ballast — real costs that disappear from estimates
Labor for slope and height factors
Steep roofs and high access require more time and safety equipment
Second-story or high-roof premium
Most tarp estimates price at ground-level labor regardless of actual access
Time-and-material markup for emergency call
After-hours or same-day response carries a legitimate premium
Rope and fastener materials
Small but real. Carriers frequently strip these out
Re-tarp if tarp was displaced by wind
A second mobilization is a second bill — don't let carriers combine them
Our 24-Hour Tarp Supplement Process
Send us the job
Photos, carrier estimate (if any), and job details.
We write the supplement
Full Xactimate tarp estimate with all correct line items.
Submitted within 24 hours
Straight to the carrier with full documentation.
We follow up
2-3x per week until tarp supplement is approved and paid.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you submit an emergency tarp supplement within 24 hours?
Yes. Send us the job info and photos. We write the Xactimate tarp supplement and submit it within 24 hours. Emergency situations need fast turnaround — that's exactly what we deliver.
Why do carriers pay so little on tarp jobs?
Because most tarp estimates are vague. Carriers push back hardest on estimates that lack proper line-item detail. When the supplement is written with correct Xactimate codes, documented footage, and labor justification, approvals happen.
Who does the payment go to — the homeowner or the contractor?
If the supplement is structured correctly with the contractor as the payee, payment should go to the contractor. This is one of the most important reasons to have the estimate written properly from the start.
Can you handle tarp estimates alongside a full roofing supplement?
Absolutely. Many claims involve both an emergency tarp and a subsequent full roof supplement. We write both — often as a combined submission that documents the full scope from tarp through final repair.
What documentation do I need to send you?
Photos of the tarp installation (before and after), the carrier's initial estimate if one exists, any contract or invoice from the tarp install, and job address. That's usually enough to get started.
Submit a Tarp Job — We'll Have It Written in 24 Hours
Stop losing money on tarp billings. Send us the job and let us write it right.
Email Kyle → kyle@theestimatecompany.com