Licensed Insurance Adjuster · Kyle Hamrick · Commercial & Low-Slope Expert

Flat Roof / Commercial Supplement Writing

Commercial flat roof insurance claims are consistently the most underpaid files in the roofing industry. Carriers write membrane costs and stop there — missing insulation board, parapet flashings, drain replacement, HVAC curb integration, and the overhead and profit that commercial project management requires. Kyle Hamrick is a licensed insurance adjuster who supplements commercial roofing claims with the documentation carriers use internally.

Why Commercial Flat Roof Claims Require Specialist Supplementing

Flat roof commercial claims operate on a different scale than residential roofing. A single-story commercial building with a 10,000 SF TPO roof has more billable line items than a dozen residential hail claims — and carriers know most commercial contractors will not invest the time to document everything correctly. That is the lever they use to underpay.

The most common gap in commercial flat roof scopes is insulation. Carriers write the membrane cost and exclude the ISO board beneath it, either claiming it was undamaged or pricing it at a fraction of replacement cost. In most commercial roof replacements, the insulation must be removed and replaced — or at minimum, the moisture content tested and documented. We capture the full insulation scope with manufacturer spec documentation.

Parapet wall flashings, drain modifications, HVAC curb integrations, and penetration boot replacements each add thousands of dollars to a commercial scope. Every one of these is a separate Xactimate line item with its own code, quantity, and unit price. Carriers routinely write one line for "flashings" and price it at residential rates. We document every component individually at commercial pricing.

We work within AccuLynx for commercial contractors using that platform, and we can handle large commercial files at the same 24–48 hour turnaround that applies to residential claims.

Xactimate Line Items We Recover on Flat Roof Claims

Commercial flat roof supplements require system-specific documentation. These are the key items we include on every commercial file.

RFG/TPORM
TPO Membrane — Remove & Replace
Carriers write membrane sq footage but miss correct membrane thickness spec and adhesion method.
RFG/EPDMR
EPDM Single-Ply — Full Replacement
EPDM seam repairs vs full replacement is a common dispute; full replacement documented with scope notes.
RFG/ISOBD
Insulation Board (ISO) — Replace
Carriers write membrane and omit the ISO insulation board beneath it; separate and significant line item.
RFG/PRWFL
Parapet Wall Flashing — Full Height
Parapet cap and flashing on all walls frequently omitted; linear footage must be documented separately.
RFG/DRAIN
Roof Drains — Replace/Modify
Drain replacement or modification required during membrane replacement; carriers miss drain count.
RFG/CURB
HVAC Curb Flashing — Each Unit
Each HVAC curb requires new flashing integration; carriers write one or none on multi-unit roofs.
RFG/PNTFL
Pipe/Penetration Boots — All Sizes
Each penetration diameter is a separate line item; carriers lump or omit many.
RFG/BFORM
Base Flashing — Perimeter
Base flashing at walls and transitions is a separate billable item; omitted on most carrier commercial scopes.
OH+P
Overhead & Profit (Commercial Rate)
Commercial projects require higher O&P than residential; carriers apply residential rates to commercial scopes.
RFG/MOBIL
Mobilization / Equipment Access
Equipment rental and crane/lift costs for commercial access are billable; carriers deny without documentation.
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The $5,000 Guarantee

Send us 2 commercial claims per week for 12 months. If you don't add a minimum of 6 figures to your annual margins, we write you a $5,000 check. Commercial contractors who partner with us consistently see the largest per-claim recovery numbers in their portfolio.

Start With a Free Commercial Review →

Frequently Asked Questions

What flat roof systems do you write supplements for?

We write supplements for all common low-slope commercial roofing systems: TPO (thermoplastic polyolefin), EPDM (single-ply rubber), modified bitumen, built-up roofing (BUR), and PVC membrane systems. Each has different Xactimate codes and pricing structures, and we use the correct category and specification for the installed system.

What do carriers most often miss on flat roof commercial claims?

Carriers frequently omit insulation board replacement (they write membrane only and skip the ISO board beneath it), flashings at parapet walls and penetrations, drain replacement or modification costs, and proper tear-off and disposal for multi-ply built-up systems. On commercial properties, they also miss overhead and profit, general contractor fees, and engineering documentation costs.

Can you handle both the roofing scope and HVAC/mechanical penetration costs?

Yes. Flat roof replacements often require HVAC curb modifications, pipe boot replacement at multiple penetrations, and coordination with mechanical contractors. We scope the roofing trade items in Xactimate and document HVAC-related scope items with appropriate line items. We do not scope the mechanical trade itself, but we ensure the roofing scope includes all interface costs.

Do you write flat roof supplements for multi-story commercial buildings?

Yes. Commercial supplements for multi-story or large-footprint buildings include mobilization charges, equipment rental (cranes, lifts), access limitations, and higher overhead and profit margins that reflect commercial project management complexity. These items are frequently omitted on carrier commercial scopes.

What is your fee structure for commercial flat roof supplements?

For commercial supplements, we charge 15% of the additional amount recovered. For retail commercial estimates (no insurance claim), we charge a flat fee based on the scope complexity and building size. Commercial files are prioritized with the same 24–48 hour turnaround.

Get Every Line Item on Your Commercial Flat Roof Claim

Submit your commercial file. We'll review it free and identify what the carrier wrote vs. what the scope actually requires.