A lower insurance estimate does not automatically mean the roofer's estimate is too high.
Contractor and insurance estimates can differ because they may use different measurements, quantities, materials, labor assumptions, code requirements or scopes of work. A roofing contractor can explain and document its own construction estimate. Questions about insurance coverage or the amount payable under a policy belong with the appropriate insurance professional.
One of the most confusing moments in an insurance related roofing project can happen when the numbers do not match.
An insurance adjuster may prepare an estimate for the property damage. A roofing contractor may inspect the same roof and prepare a different construction estimate.
Sometimes the difference is small.
Sometimes it is substantial.
Before assuming someone made a mistake, it helps to understand what each estimate represents and what information may be different between them.
Louisiana Says Differences in Construction Estimates Are Common
The Louisiana Department of Insurance directly addresses this issue in its homeowner guidance.
LDI explains that differences in construction estimates are common when an insurance company does not agree with a damage estimate prepared by a contractor or public adjuster.
The agency encourages the development of a detailed scope of loss that identifies the quantities of construction materials, labor, overhead, profit, building code compliance and other items needed to repair or rebuild the property.
The goal is to compare the actual scope, not just the two totals.
Two estimates can arrive at different totals because the documents may not contain the same quantities, materials or construction scope.
That is why homeowners should look beyond the bottom line and compare what each estimate actually includes.
A Roofer's Estimate and an Adjuster's Estimate Serve Different Roles
A roofing contractor prepares an estimate for the construction work it is proposing to perform.
An insurance adjuster's estimate is developed as part of the insurance company's claim adjustment process.
Those two documents may overlap heavily, but they are not necessarily created for exactly the same purpose.
Roofing contractor estimate
- Describes the construction work the contractor proposes
- Includes the contractor's measurements and quantities
- Reflects the materials the contractor plans to install
- Includes the contractor's legitimate labor and construction costs
- Can explain how roofing components affect the proposed scope
Insurance adjuster estimate
- Is developed during adjustment of the property claim
- May contain measurements and quantities obtained during inspection
- Identifies estimated repair costs used in the claim process
- May reflect information available to the adjuster at that time
- Is part of the insurer's evaluation of the loss
Why Can the Two Roofing Estimates Be Different?
A price difference may come from several individual differences inside the estimates.
Measurements
Roof area, linear footage and component quantities may have been measured differently.
Materials
One estimate may include materials or roofing components not listed in the other.
Labor
Labor assumptions and legitimate contractor pricing can affect the final construction cost.
Scope
The contractor may identify work it believes is necessary that does not appear on the other estimate.
Code Requirements
Applicable construction requirements can affect materials and the method used to complete the project.
Newly Found Conditions
Some physical conditions may become clearer during closer inspection or once construction begins.
Louisiana Requires a Good Faith Itemized Contractor Estimate
Louisiana contractor law specifically addresses repair estimates connected to insured property damage.
R.S. 37:2159.1 requires a contractor to provide a good faith estimate containing itemized and detailed costs of services and materials before entering certain agreements authorizing insured property damage repairs or construction.
The statute also recognizes that the actual cost of the work may differ from the contractor's initial estimate after the insurer adjusts the claim.
That is another reason a difference between two documents should be examined rather than treated as automatic evidence that one number must be wrong.
What Can the Roofing Contractor Explain?
Your roofing contractor can explain its own estimate in detail.
For example, Wall2Wall can explain why a roofing component is included, how quantities were calculated, what materials are proposed and how the construction price was developed.
“Why is this roofing component included in your estimate?”
“This component is part of the roofing system we observed during inspection. Here is where it appears on the roof, the quantity we measured and the cost included in our construction proposal.”
“Does my insurance policy require the carrier to pay for this item?”
The contractor can answer the construction question.
Insurance coverage questions should remain with the appropriate insurance or legal professional.
What Should a Homeowner Do When the Estimates Do Not Match?
Start by comparing the actual documents rather than focusing only on the total dollar amount.
Get itemized copies.
Review the contractor's construction estimate and the available insurance estimate so you can see what each document contains.
Compare scope and quantities.
Look for missing components, different measurements, quantities, materials or construction methods.
Ask the roofer about the roofer's estimate.
Your contractor should be able to explain its proposed work, measurements, materials and pricing.
Provide legitimate construction documentation.
Louisiana Department of Insurance guidance recognizes written contractor estimates as information used during the claim process.
Keep insurance questions in the insurance lane.
Questions about coverage, claim payments or policy rights should be directed to the appropriate licensed insurance or legal professional.
Estimates and Claim Documents Need to Be Accurate
Louisiana law does not give anyone permission to manipulate an estimate simply because two legitimate estimates do not match.
R.S. 22:1923 includes within Louisiana's definition of a fraudulent insurance act the knowing presentation, with intent to defraud, of an estimate, invoice, bid, proposal or other document that misrepresents the scope of damage or repair costs associated with a property insurance claim.
Louisiana law also now addresses alteration of an original adjuster's or appraiser's estimate, revisions or supplemental estimates without required claim file documentation or notification.
A roofing contractor should document its own legitimate construction scope and pricing rather than changing someone else's estimate to make the numbers fit.
What If Additional Roofing Work Is Discovered Later?
Roofing conditions are not always completely visible during the first exterior inspection.
Once materials are removed, a contractor may discover physical conditions that were not apparent before construction started.
A contractor can document those newly discovered construction conditions and explain any legitimate change to its own scope or pricing.
Again, the contractor's job is to document and price the actual construction work.
Determining whether an insurance policy provides coverage for that additional work remains an insurance question.
Louisiana Homeowners Can Ask for Claim Materials
Louisiana Department of Insurance's post disaster guidance also tells homeowners that their insurance company is required to provide copies of materials generated during adjustment of a property damage claim upon request.
LDI lists examples including estimates, bids, plans, engineer and contractor reports, measurements and drawings.
Having the underlying documents can make it much easier to understand why two estimates differ instead of trying to compare only their final dollar amounts.
Why This Matters for Baton Rouge Roof Claims
Wind, hail and severe storms can create a large number of roof claims across Baton Rouge, Prairieville, Gonzales, Denham Springs and other South Louisiana communities at the same time.
During a high volume storm event, homeowners may receive insurance estimates before choosing a roofer, after choosing a roofer or while contractors are still inspecting the property.
A difference between the roofer's price and the insurance estimate should not be solved with a vague promise that someone will “get the insurance company to pay.”
A better starting point is documentation: determine exactly what the contractor observed, what work it proposes, which items differ and what evidence supports the construction scope.
What Wall2Wall Can Do When the Estimates Are Different
Wall2Wall Roofing & Construction can explain the estimate prepared by Wall2Wall.
We can show you what we observed during inspection, explain our measurements and proposed materials, document the roofing components involved and explain our construction pricing.
We do not interpret your insurance policy or promise a particular insurance claim outcome.
If the roof may only need repair, learn more about our roof repair services .
If replacement appears appropriate, explore our roof replacement services .
For weather related damage, visit our storm damage roofing page.
Need a clear construction estimate for your roof?
Wall2Wall can inspect your roofing system, document its physical condition and provide a detailed estimate based on the actual work we believe your property needs.
Official Louisiana Sources
This guide was prepared using primary Louisiana government resources. Homeowners can review the underlying statutes and state insurance guidance directly below.
