Ready to skip
the data entry?
Upload a PDF scope. CapOut processes it and sends it directly to your Xactimate account.
Get Started Free
No credit card required
No credit card required
In-depth articles on estimating workflows, supplement strategies, and getting the most out of Xactimate.
How to file and manage a wind damage roof insurance claim. Covers documentation, what adjusters look for, common disputes, and how to supplement for missed damage.
The most-used Xactimate line item codes organized by trade, how the code system works, tips for finding items faster, and the codes you'll reach for on almost every claim.
Everything you need to know about Xactimate in one place. What it is, who uses it, how it works, pricing, Sketch, line items, supplements, XactAnalysis, and how it fits into the insurance claims process.
What hail damage roof repairs and replacements cost, what factors drive the price, and how insurance claim payments work for hail damage.
A contractor's guide to recoverable depreciation payments - who the check belongs to, how mortgage companies get involved, how to structure your contract so you get paid, and common scenarios that cause payment delays.
A breakdown of every major Xactimate training option - from free YouTube walkthroughs to multi-day certification prep courses. What each costs, what format works best, and how to pick the right one for your role.
The definitive guide to converting PDF insurance estimates into Xactimate ESX files. Covers every method, why ESX files matter, the manual vs. automated approach, and how to verify converted estimates.
What happens during a roof inspection for an insurance claim. How to prepare, what the adjuster evaluates, and how to ensure nothing gets missed.
A contractor's guide to filing insurance claim supplements that actually get approved. Covers when to supplement, what to include, how to write the Xactimate estimate, and common mistakes that get supplements denied.
How to access Xactimate, what trial and demo options exist, and a step-by-step guide to getting started with the software without wasting time or money on the wrong plan.
How to file a storm damage roof insurance claim from initial documentation through final payment. Covers wind, hail, and fallen debris claims with step-by-step instructions.
A practical look at where AI actually works in construction estimating today, where it falls short, how it applies to insurance restoration specifically, and what contractors should pay attention to.
Everything contractors need to know about hail damage roof insurance claims - from identifying hail hits to documenting damage, meeting the adjuster, and getting the claim paid in full.
A practical breakdown of every Xactimate subscription tier, what each plan includes, who actually needs which level, and how to avoid paying for features you won't use.
Requirements, licensing, training, and career path for becoming a public adjuster. State-by-state licensing overview, exam preparation, and what the job actually involves day to day.
What overhead and profit is, when insurance carriers are required to pay it, the three-trade rule, how to fight O&P denials, and the line items where it matters most.
Practical strategies for negotiating with insurance adjusters on roof claims - from reviewing the initial estimate to filing supplements and escalating disputes. Written by contractors, for contractors.
Realistic fire damage restoration costs by severity level. What drives the price, how insurance coverage works, and where claims typically fall short.
The complete fire damage restoration process from emergency response through rebuild. What to expect at each stage, timelines, and how insurance claims work for fire losses.
What public adjusters actually do, how they differ from staff and independent adjusters, when to hire one, what they charge, and how they interact with Xactimate and the supplement process.
Your client's roof insurance claim got denied. Here is why it happens, what your options are, and the step-by-step process for appealing, supplementing, or escalating to get the claim reconsidered.
A plain-language breakdown of replacement cost value vs actual cash value - how each affects your client's payout, why it matters for supplements, and how to explain it to homeowners without the jargon.
How insurance adjusters determine whether hail damage warrants a full roof replacement vs repair. Test square counts, functional damage thresholds, and what drives the decision.
A plain-English breakdown of what ESX files are, why they matter in insurance restoration, how to open them, and what to do when you get a PDF instead of one.
Learn to distinguish hail damage from blistering on asphalt shingles. Side-by-side comparison of visual indicators, causes, and how each affects insurance claims.
A contractor's step-by-step guide to filing storm damage roof insurance claims - from the initial inspection through final payment. Covers documentation, adjuster meetings, supplements, and common mistakes that cost you money.
What recoverable depreciation actually is, how it's calculated per line item, who gets the check, common mistakes that cost contractors thousands, and how to recover every dollar your client is owed.
A step-by-step inspection checklist for identifying hail damage on your roof, from ground-level signs to on-roof indicators that adjusters use to confirm a claim.
Hail size thresholds for roof damage on asphalt shingles, metal, tile, and wood. Learn what diameter triggers functional damage and when insurance typically covers replacement.
A contractor's honest breakdown of all 3 Xactimate certification levels, what each costs, how the exams actually work, and whether certification is worth your time and money.
Learn how to identify hail damage on shingles, metal roofs, and soft metals. Visual indicators, inspection tips, and what adjusters look for during their assessment.
Upload a PDF scope. CapOut processes it and sends it directly to your Xactimate account.
No credit card required