[ 02 ]LINE BY LINEWHEN · EVIDENCE · PHOTO · PUSHBACK
Drip edge — eaves and rakes
Code-Required Upgradeunit · LFcheck every claim
L-profile edge metal along the eave and the rake. Underlayment goes over it at the eaves; it goes over the underlayment at the rakes.
When it appliesAny shingle re-roof in a jurisdiction that has adopted the drip-edge section — and then on the full eave AND rake footage, not one elevation. Take the LF off your own measurement set, not the carrier's aerial.
Evidence to attachEdge photo showing no existing drip edge (or corroded existing edge metal); your eave + rake LF takeoff; the code section as your building department enforces it.
Photo to takeEave / rake edge,Close-up with scale,Existing condition (before)
Code hook (verify local adoption)2021 IRC R905.2.8.5 — drip edge provided at eaves and rake edges; adjacent segments lapped not less than 2 in; extends not less than 1/4 in below the roof sheathing and not less than 2 in back onto the roof deck; mechanically fastened not more than 12 in o.c. VERIFY your jurisdiction's adopted edition and amendments.
Pushback to expectPaid at eaves only, or priced as gutter apron. Gutter apron and drip edge are different profiles doing different jobs — if you installed both, they are two lines.
Ice barrier (ice and water) — eaves and valleys
Code-Required Upgradeunit · SFcheck every claim
Not fewer than two layers of underlayment cemented together, or a self-adhering polymer-modified bitumen sheet used in place of normal underlayment.
When it appliesWhere the jurisdiction has designated a history of ice forming along the eaves in Table R301.2. Where required it runs from the lowest edges of ALL roof surfaces to a point not less than 24 in inside the exterior wall line — on a deep overhang that is more than one course, which is where the quantity variance usually hides. Valley use is generally a manufacturer instruction rather than that section.
Evidence to attachEave photo with the overhang depth visible; eave and valley LF; your jurisdiction's Table R301.2 entry; the manufacturer's instruction page where you are claiming valleys.
Photo to takeEave / rake edge,Valley,Close-up with scale
Code hook (verify local adoption)2021 IRC R905.1.2 — ice barriers; extends from the lowest edges of all roof surfaces to a point not less than 24 in inside the exterior wall line, and on slopes of 8:12 or steeper also not less than 36 in measured along the roof slope from the eave edge. Applicability is designated locally in Table R301.2. VERIFY locally.
Pushback to expectPriced to the eave line instead of 24 in inside the wall line; valleys omitted entirely; treated as an upgrade rather than a code requirement.
Starter course — manufactured starter strip
Missed Line Itemunit · LFcheck every claim
Purpose-made starter strip at the eave and, for most manufacturers, up the rakes — not field shingles cut down on site.
When it appliesEvery asphalt re-roof. Manufacturers require their own starter for the wind warranty, and the IRC makes the manufacturer's installation instructions part of the installation requirement.
Evidence to attachThe installation-instruction page for the exact shingle being installed; eave and rake LF.
Photo to takeEave / rake edge,Manufacturer instruction page
Code hook (verify local adoption)2021 IRC R905.1 — 'Roof coverings shall be applied in accordance with the applicable provisions of this section and the manufacturer's installation instructions.' VERIFY local adoption.
Pushback to expect'Starter is included in the field shingle price', or starter paid at the eave only where the instruction also calls for it at the rakes. Quote the instruction and name the shingle.
Ridge cap — manufactured hip and ridge
Missed Line Itemunit · LFcheck every claim
Manufactured hip-and-ridge cap shingles, not three-tabs cut from field stock. Most laminated shingles cannot be cut into a compliant cap at all.
When it appliesEvery ridge and every hip on the roof. Count hips separately — aerial reports routinely miss them.
Evidence to attachRidge + hip LF from your own measurement set; photo of the existing cap; the manufacturer's instruction page.
Photo to takeRidge / hip,Close-up with scale,Manufacturer instruction page
Code hook (verify local adoption)2021 IRC R905.1 — manufacturer's installation instructions apply to the roof covering. VERIFY local adoption.
Pushback to expectCap priced as 'cut from field shingles' at a fraction of the manufactured price, or ridge LF taken from an aerial that ignored the hips.
Steep-slope charge (7/12 and above)
Access / Steep / High Chargeunit · SQ (100 sq ft)check every claim
A labor adder for pitch, separate from the roofing line itself.
When it appliesMeasure the pitch yourself, slope by slope, and apply the adder only to the squares that qualify. Estimating platforms carry the adder in bands that begin at 7/12 and step up (commonly 7/12–9/12, 10/12–12/12 and over 12/12) — confirm the exact line names and bands against the pricelist version printed on the estimate you were sent.
Evidence to attachPitch-gauge photo per slope; squares by slope from your measurement set.
Photo to takePitch gauge,Wide elevation
Code hook (verify local adoption)Not a code item — a labor and pricing item. No citation applies.
Pushback to expectAn aerial report that averaged the pitch across the whole roof, or the adder paid on one slope when three qualify.
High-roof / two-story access charge
Access / Steep / High Chargeunit · SQ (100 sq ft)check every claim
A labor adder for working at height — extra ladder and staging time, material handling, fall-protection setup.
When it appliesWhere the work is two stories or more. It is separate from and additional to the steep charge: a steep two-story roof carries both.
Evidence to attachGround photo showing the number of stories; the squares affected.
Photo to takeWide elevation
Code hook (verify local adoption)Not a code item — a labor and pricing item. No citation applies.
Pushback to expectTreated as already covered by the steep charge, or applied to the whole roof when only part of it is two-story.
Detach and reset — solar array
Detach & Resetunit · EA
Removing and reinstalling a photovoltaic array so the roof underneath can be replaced. Normally a licensed specialty subcontractor's invoice rather than your own labor.
When it appliesWhenever an array sits on a slope being replaced. Get the subcontractor quote in writing BEFORE the packet goes out and attach it.
Evidence to attachPhoto of the array in place; panel count; the written subcontractor quote or invoice.
Photo to takeWide elevation,Existing condition (before),Subcontractor quote
Code hook (verify local adoption)Not a roof-covering code item. Electrical and PV work is licensed separately — use the specialty contractor, do not self-perform outside your license.
Pushback to expect'The array is not part of the roof.' It is not — it is in the way of the roof, and the labor to move it is real. Some carriers want the specialty invoice rather than a line-item price; give them the invoice.
Detach and reset — satellite dish, antenna, lightning protection
Detach & Resetunit · EA
Labor to remove a roof-mounted fixture and reinstall it after the covering is replaced.
When it appliesAny dish, antenna, mast or lightning-protection run on a slope being replaced. Priced per each.
Evidence to attachPhoto of each fixture in place before work; the count.
Photo to takeExisting condition (before),Penetration / flashing
Code hook (verify local adoption)Not a code item. Re-aiming a satellite dish is normally the provider's job — say so to the homeowner in advance and put it in writing.
Pushback to expectOmitted entirely because it is not visible on the aerial imagery.
Detach and reset — gutters and downspouts
Detach & Resetunit · LF
Labor to take gutters off and rehang them so eave metal and underlayment can be installed correctly.
When it appliesWhere the gutter genuinely has to come off to do the eave properly. Keep it honest: a gutter dented by the same hail is a separate damage line, not this one — claiming both for the same gutter is how a packet loses credibility.
Evidence to attachPhoto of the gutter at the eave before work; gutter LF; a note on whether the gutter is also damaged and claimed elsewhere.
Photo to takeEave / rake edge,Existing condition (before)
Code hook (verify local adoption)Not a code item.
Pushback to expectPaid as replacement instead of detach and reset, or refused because the eave detail was not photographed.
Paint exposed metal — flashing, vents, pipe jacks
Missed Line Itemunit · EA
Paint to match on metal that stays visible — new flashings, vents, pipe jacks, exposed valley metal.
When it appliesAny painted metal you are replacing or exposing on a visible elevation. Run the reinstallation test first: if the existing metal is rusted, damaged or deteriorated the IRC does not allow it to be reinstalled at all, and the line becomes replacement rather than paint.
Evidence to attachClose photo of the existing metal condition; count by each.
Photo to takePenetration / flashing,Close-up with scale
Code hook (verify local adoption)2021 IRC R908.5 (reinstallation of materials) — existing vent flashing, metal edgings, drain outlets, collars and metal counterflashings shall not be reinstalled where rusted, damaged or deteriorated. VERIFY local adoption.
Pushback to expectDropped as cosmetic. It is small — but it is also the line that shows the adjuster you inspected the penetrations rather than the field.
Permit fee
Permit / Feeunit · EAcheck every claim
What the jurisdiction actually charged for the re-roof permit — the receipt, not an allowance and not a percentage.
When it appliesWherever a re-roof permit is required, which is most places. Log the permit itself in Compliance & Licensing and keep the receipt with the claim.
Evidence to attachPaid permit receipt showing the amount; the signed final inspection card once issued.
Photo to takeReceipt / ticket
Code hook (verify local adoption)Local jurisdiction — building permit for reroof. Fee schedules are set locally and change; pull your building department's current schedule.
Pushback to expect'Included in O&P', or a flat allowance below the receipt. The receipt is the argument.
Debris haul-off and dumpster
Debris / Haul-Offunit · EAcheck every claim
Disposal — priced either as a container plus haul and dump fees, or as a per-square debris line, depending on the pricelist.
When it appliesEvery tear-off. Watch for double-dipping: if the tear-off line already includes debris removal, this line must be net of it. A layered roof means more tonnage, and a replacement requires removal down to the deck.
Evidence to attachDump ticket with weight; photo of the layers visible at the tear-off edge; the container invoice.
Photo to takeExisting condition (before),Receipt / ticket,Deck / sheathing (before cover-up)
Code hook (verify local adoption)2021 IRC R908.3 — roof replacement includes removal of existing roof coverings down to the roof deck. R908.3.1.1 — a roof recover is not allowed where the existing roof is water-soaked or deteriorated, where the covering is slate, clay, cement or asbestos-cement tile, or where the roof already has two or more applications of any type of covering. VERIFY local adoption.
Pushback to expectSingle-layer allowance on a two-layer tear-off. The photo of the layers at the edge is what settles it.
Decking replacement and re-nail
Code-Required Upgradeunit · SF
Replacing sheathing that is unsound, delaminated or rotten, and re-fastening decking that is under-nailed for current requirements.
When it appliesAssess it with the deck exposed — a replacement requires removal down to the deck, which is exactly the moment the deck can be judged. Photograph and count sheet by sheet BEFORE you cover it; once the shingles are on, the evidence is gone.
Evidence to attachPhoto of each deficient area with the sheet visible; SF count; a photo of the fastening pattern where you are claiming a re-nail.
Photo to takeDeck / sheathing (before cover-up),Close-up with scale,Wide elevation
Code hook (verify local adoption)2021 IRC R908.3 (removal down to the roof deck on a replacement) and R905.2.1 (asphalt shingles fastened to solidly sheathed decks); sheathing and fastening requirements sit in IRC Chapter 8. Re-nail mandates are frequently a LOCAL or state amendment rather than base IRC text — VERIFY with your building department before you cite one.
Pushback to expectA per-sheet allowance capped below what the roof actually needed. Count and photograph as you go, or you will not win the overage.
Ventilation to the required net free area
Code-Required Upgradeunit · LF
Ridge vent, static vents or a mix, sized to the net free ventilating area the code requires — not a like-for-like count of whatever was up there.
When it appliesWhere the existing ventilation is short of the required ratio. Calculate it: attic area, existing vent count and the net free area per unit. Ridge vent is priced per LF, static vents per each — split the line if you are installing both.
Evidence to attachAttic square footage; existing vent count and type with the NFA per unit; the calculation itself; photos of the existing ventilation.
Photo to takeAttic / ventilation,Ridge / hip,Wide elevation
Code hook (verify local adoption)2021 IRC R806.2 — minimum net free ventilating area of 1/150 of the area of the vented space. 1/300 is permitted only where both of that section's conditions are met: in Climate Zones 6, 7 and 8 a Class I or II vapor retarder on the warm-in-winter side of the ceiling, AND not less than 40% and not more than 50% of the required ventilating area provided by ventilators in the upper portion of the space, not more than 3 ft below the ridge. VERIFY local adoption.
Pushback to expectPaid one-for-one against what was removed, which perpetuates an already non-compliant roof. Show the arithmetic, not the opinion.
Low-slope double underlayment (2:12 to under 4:12)
Code-Required Upgradeunit · SQ (100 sq ft)
A second underlayment application on shallow slopes carrying asphalt shingles.
When it appliesAny slope from 2:12 up to less than 4:12. Measure the pitch on the low slope specifically — porches, additions and dormer shed roofs are where this lives.
Evidence to attachPitch-gauge photo on the low slope; squares on that slope.
Photo to takePitch gauge,Wide elevation
Code hook (verify local adoption)2021 IRC R905.2.2 — asphalt shingles used only on slopes of 2:12 or greater; for slopes from 2:12 to less than 4:12, double underlayment application is required. VERIFY local adoption.
Pushback to expectWhole roof priced at a single underlayment because the aerial reported one average pitch.
Valley metal (open valley lining)
Missed Line Itemunit · LF
Metal lining in an open valley, or the roll-roofing alternative the code permits.
When it appliesEvery open valley you are rebuilding. Closed-cut valleys are a different detail — do not claim metal you did not install.
Evidence to attachValley photo showing the existing detail; valley LF.
Photo to takeValley,Close-up with scale
Code hook (verify local adoption)2021 IRC R905.2.8.2 — open valley lining of not less than 24 in wide metal, or the mineral-surfaced roll-roofing alternative described in that section. VERIFY local adoption.
Pushback to expectValleys counted off an aerial that under-measured the run, or metal omitted because the estimate assumed a closed-cut valley.
Step and counter flashing — walls and chimneys
Missed Line Itemunit · LFcheck every claim
New step flashing at roof-to-wall intersections and counter flashing at chimneys and masonry, rather than reusing what is there.
When it appliesWherever the roof meets a wall or a chimney. Check the reinstallation test before you plan to reuse anything.
Evidence to attachClose photo of the existing flashing condition at each location; LF; chimney dimensions where a cricket is involved.
Photo to takePenetration / flashing,Close-up with scale,Existing condition (before)
Code hook (verify local adoption)2021 IRC R903.2 / R903.2.1 — flashing at wall and roof intersections; where flashing is metal, not less than 0.019 in thick (26 gauge galvanized). R903.2.2 — crickets or saddles on the ridge side of chimneys more than 30 in wide. R908.5 — existing counterflashings shall not be reinstalled where rusted, damaged or deteriorated. VERIFY local adoption.
Pushback to expect'Reuse existing flashing.' R908.5 is the answer where the metal is rusted, damaged or deteriorated — photograph the condition, do not argue it verbally.
Pipe jacks, boots and vent collars
Missed Line Itemunit · EAcheck every claim
New pipe flashings and boots at plumbing penetrations, and new collars at vents.
When it appliesEvery penetration on a re-roof. A cracked boot is the most common single source of an interior leak on an otherwise sound roof.
Evidence to attachClose photo of each penetration showing the boot condition; count by each.
Photo to takePenetration / flashing,Close-up with scale
Code hook (verify local adoption)2021 IRC R908.5 — existing vent flashing, collars and counterflashings shall not be reinstalled where rusted, damaged or deteriorated. VERIFY local adoption.
Pushback to expectCounted from the aerial, which sees stacks but not their condition. Photograph each one.
Overhead and profit (O&P)
Overhead & Profitunit · %
The general contractor's cost of coordinating a multi-trade job, conventionally written as 10% overhead and 10% profit on the net.
When it appliesA judgement, not a rule. The long-standing industry rule of thumb is that coordinating three or more trades justifies it — roofing plus gutters plus a solar detach and reset plus painting, say. It is not a rule of law, carrier practice differs, and some carriers require the trade count to be shown. Do not claim it on a single-trade tear-off and replace.
Evidence to attachThe trade list for the job — each trade, the crew or subcontractor who performed it, and the dates.
Photo to take
Code hook (verify local adoption)Not a code item. No citation applies.
Pushback to expectRemoved on the basis that the job is a single trade. Answer with the trade list, not with an argument about entitlement — and if the carrier's position is the sticking point, that is the policyholder's conversation with their carrier or their attorney, not yours to negotiate.