Roof Waste Calculation

I haven't been here in awhile, hope everyone is well. I think a few people here used my roof waste calc sheet in the past. I just finished a substantial revision that accurately calculates all waste items. This is geared towards those who do a lot of insurance work and are tired of the old "10% for all gables, 15% for all hips".

This isn't an advertisement, the new versions are free. No catch either. I just want more people using this type of tool and putting pressure on the insurance companies to start writing better estimates so we all can make more money. I'm sick and tired of hearing "You're the only one blah blah blah"

Hope this helps. I would recommend that you don't watch the video on a cell phone, comes out to small. Best viewed on a larger screen.

http://authenticrestoration.biz/contractors/roof-waste-calculation/

I hear you, I don't want anything to do with the Texas roofing rat race.

RooferMark Said: I dont like the concept of working a storm for 6 to 9 months and then scooting out of town or paying some other local contractor to fix your leaks.

A storm chaser does not have to be from out of town. He can be and most of the time is a local outfit. They canvass neighborhoods after every minor storm, offer free inspections, and find damage no matter how minor. And adjusters are often clueless. In North Texas, thousands of good roofs are torn off every year because there is always a storm close by somewhere. It has become an absolute racket. Texas has the highest homeowner insurance rates in the nation and some of the crappiest workmanship issues.

natty Said:

RooferMark Said: This tool provides the contractor with solid factual evidence of what the correct waste percentage should be. Knowing what the waste factor should be and having factual evidence to convince an adjuster are two different things.

I can appreciate the attempt to commoditize an otherwise experiential task. An estimator could certainly utilize any tool that would make his job easier.

Unfortunately, the insurance/storm chasing game is nothing but a racket, and 90% of the installers out there are incompetent- but that is another issue.

natty, we don't storm chase. Not that I necessarily have an issue with storm chasers, they are a necessary evil I guess. I don't like the concept of working a storm for 6 to 9 months and then scooting out of town or paying some other local contractor to fix your leaks.

Insurance work is part of it. While we don't do as much retail as I would like, the percentage it plays with our overall business increases every year. I don't have as much of an issue with the insurance side as I do with all the illegitimate low end roof contractors that give their work away while using sub par materials, not being licensed, not having GL and WC and cutting corners every place they can.

RooferMark Said: This tool provides the contractor with solid factual evidence of what the correct waste percentage should be. Knowing what the waste factor should be and having factual evidence to convince an adjuster are two different things.

I can appreciate the attempt to commoditize an otherwise experiential task. An estimator could certainly utilize any tool that would make his job easier.

Unfortunately, the insurance/storm chasing game is nothing but a racket, and 90% of the installers out there are incompetent- but that is another issue.

TomB Said: Vaa - absolutely - Most of these Insurance specialists are barely roofers - Most insist the owner give them the adjusters take-off and allowances before they quote the job.

We do the opposite- I dont really care what some adjuster or exactamate program comes up with - Thats all rendered through ill-legit business practices anyhow, (i.e., sub-game, etc.....).

Ironic how the majority of insurance work is carried-out by jacklegs that cheat the insurance co.s.....LOL

As for waste factors - Really? Its not rocket science - Its an absolutely calculable consumption.

I'm not sure about most. When we work with a customer, we go to the adjuster meeting with our Xactimate estimate in hand. I would never trust an insurance scope of loss to determine my quoted price. Our estimate is higher than the insurance company's 99% of the time.

I can't speak for all contractors but we certainly aren't jacklegs that cheat the insurance companies. We just try to make sure we're paid fairly for the work that is performed. As a General Contractor and roofing company, we have a legitimate reputation for providing one of the highest quality products in the areas we serve.

I agree, waste factors aren't rocket science but they are generally well above the understanding and acceptance of the vast majority of insurance adjusters. This tool provides the contractor with solid factual evidence of what the correct waste percentage should be. Knowing what the waste factor should be and having factual evidence to convince an adjuster are two different things.

As I said, no agenda here, I have shared this at other forums and within Facebook groups. As it is free and I make zero profit from it in any manner, I could care less whether anyone uses it or not. My only agenda, if you wish to consider it an agenda, is to help more contractors in their battles with the insurance companies and to see more people using this tool so it can effect change in the industry. Not sure I understand your hostility or negativity but I hope you have a nice day.

Vaa Fakaosifolau Said: So what are you saying? That some contractors are not allowing for waste in their measurements and are undercutting contractors that know what they are doing? Then they go in during the job and ask for these items as extras. I see this all the time when tendering, not specifically wastage but other basic things that one would normally allow for when pricing a job.

This was directed more towards those who do insurance work. Those familiar with insurance work know the insurance companies improperly estimate all roof replacements with 10% waste for all gable roofs and 15% for all hip roofs while bundling cap and starter into those totals.

I created a simpler version of this spreadsheet 5 years ago and many contractors doing insurance work have used it to successfully counter the 10%/15% crap. The new sheet is much more comprehensive as it measures all waste components accurately and includes a number of pages of arguments to present to insurance adjusters. I haven't spent that much time at this site and perhaps overlooked that there aren't many insurance contractors here. If so, I apologize for the waste of bandwidth, was just offering to help.

Vaa - absolutely - Most of these "Insurance specialists" are barely roofers - Most insist the owner give them the adjusters' take-off and allowances before they "quote" the job.

We do the opposite- I don't really care what some adjuster or "exactamate" program comes up with - That's all rendered through ill-legit business practices anyhow, (i.e., sub-game, etc.....).

Ironic how the majority of "insurance work" is carried-out by "jacklegs" that cheat the insurance co.'s.....LOL

As for "waste factors" - Really? It's not rocket science - It's an absolutely calculable consumption.