Fire Damage Xactimate Estimate Writing
Fire damage claims require the most complete Xactimate documentation of any peril — demolition, structural repair, smoke treatment, code-required upgrades, and full rebuild must all be captured in a single, defensible file. Kyle Hamrick is a licensed insurance adjuster who writes fire estimates with the precision carriers expect and the completeness contractors need to get paid for the full scope of work.
What Fire Damage Estimates Must Cover
Fire damage is the most complex claim type in residential and commercial insurance restoration. Unlike hail or wind — where the damage is primarily surface-level — fire compromises structural components, generates smoke and soot contamination that extends far beyond the fire footprint, and triggers code-upgrade requirements that must be addressed in the rebuild. Carriers often scope only the visible charred area. The actual scope is substantially larger.
A complete fire damage Xactimate estimate begins with demolition — full tear-off of compromised roofing materials, decking, and in some cases structural framing members. Debris removal and disposal are separate line items from tear-off labor and must be documented accurately to reflect the volume of fire debris. Smoke and soot treatment to framing and sheathing that will remain in place is another category carriers routinely miss.
The rebuild scope must include all code-required upgrades triggered by the replacement event. In most jurisdictions, a fire-damaged roof replacement requires synthetic underlayment, perimeter drip edge, and ice & water shield upgrades beyond what the pre-loss roof had. These are not optional — they are legally required — and they belong in every fire estimate.
Kyle Hamrick authors every fire estimate with the documentation structure carriers use internally: line items tied to Xactimate codes, quantities verified against measurements, and narrative notes where structural damage requires explanation. The result is a file that holds up under carrier review, re-inspection, and appraisal.
Xactimate Line Items in Every Fire Damage Estimate
Fire estimates require demolition, structural, smoke treatment, and rebuild scope. These are the key line items we include and document.
The $5,000 Guarantee
Send us 2 claims per week for 12 months. If you don't add a minimum of 6 figures to your annual margins from our work, we write you a $5,000 check. No other fire estimate company offers this guarantee.
Start With a Free Fire Claim Review →Frequently Asked Questions
What does a fire damage Xactimate estimate include?
A complete fire damage estimate covers structural demolition, smoke and soot cleanup, decking replacement, roofing system rebuild, flashing, HVAC-related components exposed to heat, structural framing repair where applicable, and all code-upgrade requirements triggered by the rebuild event. We scope both the roofing trade and the structural elements impacted by the fire.
Can you supplement a carrier fire estimate that was already issued?
Yes. Fire estimates issued by carriers are frequently incomplete on the demo side (they miss full debris removal, decking quantities, and structural members) and on the rebuild side (they omit code-required items for the replacement). We audit the carrier file line by line and submit a documented supplement for everything missed.
How do smoke damage and charring affect the roofing scope?
Smoke and heat damage to rafters, sheathing, and framing often requires partial or full structural replacement beyond what the visible fire footprint suggests. We document thermal damage to decking, apply appropriate demolition and disposal line items, and include structural drying and treatment where applicable — all tied to Xactimate codes carriers recognize.
Do you write fire estimates for both roofing contractors and restoration companies?
Yes. We work with roofing contractors handling the exterior rebuild and with full-service restoration companies managing fire claims end-to-end. The estimate scope is tailored to the contractor's trade scope — roofing only, or full exterior and structural.
What is your turnaround for fire damage estimates?
Standard fire damage estimates are returned within 24 hours. Complex total-loss files or multi-structure commercial fire claims may require up to 48 hours. All estimates are delivered as PDF and ESX file for Xactimate users.
Get the Full Fire Damage Scope Written Right
Submit your fire claim file. We'll review it free and identify every line item the carrier missed.