As claims adjusters and estimators in the property and casualty (P&C) insurance space, we all rely on Xactimate to ensure fair, consistent, and defensible scopes of loss. But when it comes to hail and wind-damaged roofs—particularly those with scattered, isolated impacts—the choice between per-shingle (or per-shake) pricing and per-square pricing can make or break the accuracy of your estimate. At Johnson Restoration, a trusted Omaha roofing contractor specializing in storm damage repair in Nebraska, we’ve seen firsthand how applying per-square rates to fragmented repairs undervalues labor realities, leading to disputes, supplements, and potential regulatory scrutiny under Nebraska’s Unfair Insurance Claim Settlement Practices Act (Neb. Rev. Stat. § 44-1536 et seq.). This article argues for prioritizing per-shingle pricing in these scenarios: it’s not just more equitable—it’s the only way to truly reflect the costs of restoration to pre-loss condition while protecting your bottom line from costly oversights.
The Pricing Disparity: Why Per-Shingle Rates Reflect Real-World Repair Economics
Xactimate’s dual pricing structure is designed with intent: per-square rates (typically around $300/square for asphalt shingle installation, including labor and materials – please note that this is the Xactimate rate for the shingles only, not including accessories such as starter, valley, ice/water shield, etc…) capture economies of scale for large-scale tear-offs and replacements, where setup, mobilization, and waste disposal amortize across 100 square feet.1 In contrast, per-shingle pricing—averaging $13.72/shingle nationally, with 89% attributed to labor—accounts for the inefficiency of spot repairs.1 Why the premium? Removing and replacing a single shingle requires unsealing and lifting adjacent ones (often 2-4 per repair), precise nailing, and resealing—tasks that mirror the full labor intensity of a square but without the volume efficiencies.
For scattered hail damage, where hits are isolated across slopes (e.g., 8 hits per test square as a common replacement threshold2), aggregating into per-square pricing ignores this. Carriers often default to per-square for simplicity and cost control, but this underprices the “if-incurred” costs: repeated setups per repair zone, travel between patches, and heightened risk on steep pitches. Industry guidelines from forensic engineers emphasize that at low damage thresholds (under 10-12%), individual repairs dominate, yet labor balloons due to manipulation of undamaged materials—up to 40% more shingles disturbed than replaced.1 Using per-square here? It’s like charging bulk rates for custom orders—cheaper on paper, but it leaves contractors subsidizing inefficiencies, eroding trust and inviting supplements.
Common Pitfalls of Per-Square Pricing in Scattered Damage Claims
When damage is fragmented—think 50 shingles across five slopes totaling 5+ squares—per-square scoping seems efficient. But here’s why it falls short, backed by adjuster forums and estimate audits:
- Labor Minimums Are Ignored: Xactimate enforces baseline charges for small jobs (e.g., $500 mobilization for one shingle2), which multiply across isolated areas. Per-square dilutes this, underestimating by 30-50% on fragmented claims.3
- Collateral Manipulation Overlooked: Spot repairs demand disturbing surrounding shingles, creating brittle-age vulnerabilities. Per-shingle lines capture this precisely, while per-square assumes seamless bulk work—leading to leaks, callbacks, and subrogation risks.4
- Threshold Misapplication: Many carriers use some metric of percentage-of-total damage to cost-justify full replacements 4, but inaccurately using per square pricing for repairs that should be scoped as per shingle pricing illegitimately circumvents the carriers own internal repair vs. replacement cost analysis.
- Regional and Material Variations: In Nebraska’s hail belt, aged asphalt demands higher per-unit labor; Xactimate’s zip-code adjustments shine here, but only if you select the right line items.5
- Regulatory Exposure: Lowballing via per-square can trigger complaints under state matching laws, as mismatched patches from underfunded repairs fail aesthetic and functional indemnity.Nebraska’s Matching Regulation
These errors aren’t just academic—Reddit’s r/adjusters community reports frustration with roofs precisely because per-square scoping on scattered damage leads to endless supplements, tying up desk adjusters and field teams.2
Why Per-Shingle Pricing Benefits All Parties: Accuracy, Efficiency, and Defensibility
Shifting to per-shingle for isolated repairs isn’t about inflating claims—it’s about precision that saves time and money long-term. Granular line items reduce disputes by 40-60% in our experience, as they mirror contractor bids and forensic assessments.1 For instance, at 8-10% damage by area, per-shingle costs often exceed replacement costs when scoped appropriately. Allowing carriers to manipulate these costs ignores reality and leaves insureds with less than what they have bargained for – indemnity.
Xactimate’s own tools support this: Use the repair-vs-replace hotlink for hail thresholds, then drill into per-unit for sub-square scopes.2 In Nebraska, where wind and hail claims average $12,0006, accurate scoping aligns with indemnity principles, minimizing litigation under unfair practices statutes.
Practical Steps for Implementers: Scoping Scattered Repairs Right
To leverage per-shingle pricing effectively:
- Assess Granularity First: Map damage zones via drone or test squares; if under 1 square per area, default to per-unit.4
- Incorporate Minimums: Add labor baselines per patch to capture true costs without over-scoping.
- Document Thresholds: Reference 8 hits/square for hail2 to justify repair vs. replace decisions transparently.
- Partner with Locals: Collaborate with firms like Johnson Restoration for supplements—we provide Xactimate-native breakdowns that expedite approvals.
- Audit Regularly: Review estimates for buried line items, like separate starter/ridge pricing, to avoid underpayment traps.3
Embracing per-shingle pricing for scattered repairs positions you as a fair, forward-thinking carrier—reducing cycle times, boosting Net Promoter Scores, and fortifying against public adjuster challenges.
Partnering for Precision: Johnson Restoration’s Role
At Johnson Restoration, we bridge the gap between carrier estimates and real-world execution. Licensed in Nebraska, we deliver hail damage roof repair Omaha with Xactimate expertise, ensuring your scopes hold up under scrutiny. From thorough inspections to policy-aligned supplements, we help you achieve indemnity without excess. Schedule a consultation—let’s make every claim a model of accuracy.
