The best supplement is built before the job starts — not after. Every dollar you recover in a supplement traces back to documentation captured at the initial inspection. Once the old roof is torn off and the crew is gone, you've lost your window to document existing conditions, layer counts, code-relevant items, and site-specific factors that make the difference between a $2,000 supplement and a $6,000 supplement.
Use this checklist on every single insurance claim inspection. It takes 20–30 extra minutes. It's worth thousands.
20
Items every contractor should document at every insurance roof inspection
The 20-Item Inspection Checklist
Item 1
Number of Roof Layers
How many layers of shingles are currently on the roof? Tear-off labor cost increases significantly with each additional layer. Most initial adjuster scopes assume one layer. Document with photos — peel back a shingle at the eave to expose and photograph all layers. This is one of the most commonly missed supplement items on residential claims.
Item 2
Decking Condition and Type
Is the decking OSB or plywood? What's the current condition — soft spots, rot, damaged sections? Photograph any compromised decking areas from the attic if accessible. Decking replacement is a legitimate supplement item when existing decking is deteriorated, damaged, or non-compliant with current code.
Item 3
All Penetrations — Count and Type
Count and photograph every penetration: plumbing vent pipes, exhaust vents, gas lines, conduit, chimney(s), skylights. Record the count and type. Every penetration requires a boot or flashing — and adjusters routinely undercount. On a house with 8 penetrations and the adjuster estimated 4, that's a direct supplement line item with photographic support.
Item 4
Pipe Boot Condition
Are existing pipe boots rubber, lead, or metal? What condition are they in — cracked, weathered, failed? Photograph each one. Insurance carriers are required to restore the property to pre-loss condition, which means new boots when existing ones are storm-damaged or when full replacement is required. Many adjusters use a generic boot price regardless of type — document what's actually there.
Item 5
Step Flashing Condition
Where the roof meets a wall — siding, dormer walls, chimney sides — step flashing must be replaced when the roof is replaced. Photograph all step flashing locations and condition. This is commonly omitted from initial scopes on claims with any wall intersection, and it's consistently recoverable in supplements when documented.
Item 6
Valley Type
Are valleys open metal, closed cut, or woven? Open metal valleys require separate metal materials; closed and woven valleys use different shingle quantities and labor. Photograph every valley. Valley type and material are commonly mis-estimated or left off initial scopes, particularly when the adjuster doesn't physically get on the roof to inspect them.
Item 7
Ridge Type and Condition
Is the ridge finished with dimensional ridge cap shingles or standard shingles cut down? Dimensional ridge cap is a separate, higher-cost product. Adjusters frequently estimate ridge using standard 3-tab shingle equivalents rather than proper ridge cap material. Photograph the ridge line and existing ridge cap. This is a consistent supplement recovery item.
Item 8
Drip Edge — Presence and Condition
Is drip edge currently installed? What type and condition? Under IRC Section R905.2.8.5, drip edge is required on new roof installations. If it's absent or damaged and needs replacement, it belongs in the supplement with a code citation. Photograph the eaves and rakes specifically for drip edge documentation.
Item 9
Ice and Water Shield — Presence and Extent
Is ice and water shield present? How far does it extend — eaves only, or valley coverage as well? Local code requirements vary. Texas requirements differ from northern states, but many municipalities require eave and valley coverage that adjusters leave off the initial scope. Document what's there and know your local AHJ requirement.
Item 10
Ventilation Type and Quantity
What type of attic ventilation is on the roof — ridge vents, box vents, gable vents, powered attic fans? Count and photograph each vent. Code requires a minimum ventilation ratio (1:150 or 1:300 with balanced intake/exhaust). When replacement ventilation doesn't meet current code, that's a supplement item. Adjusters frequently miss ventilation counts and types entirely.
Item 11
Gutter Attachment Method
How are gutters attached? Spike-and-ferrule vs. gutter screws vs. hidden hanger brackets? Gutter detach-and-reset costs vary significantly by attachment method. If gutters must be removed and reset to complete the roofing scope, document exactly what type of gutter system is there and how it's attached. This is a legitimate supplement item when the adjuster uses a generic detach-and-reset price that doesn't match the actual system.
Item 12
Satellite Dish and HVAC Equipment
Is there a satellite dish, solar equipment, or rooftop HVAC on or attached to the roof? These require detach-and-reset or disconnection as part of the roof replacement. Photograph any equipment attached to the roof. Equipment detach-and-reset is commonly omitted from initial scopes and is consistently recoverable.
Item 13
Pitch Measurement — Every Facet
Measure pitch on every distinct roof plane using a pitch gauge. Don't assume all planes are the same — dormers, addition sections, and porch roofs often have different pitches than the main roof. Record each facet's pitch. Pitch corrections are among the highest-value supplement items because pitch affects every square foot of material and labor on that plane.
Item 14
Number of Stories and Accessibility
Is the house one story, two stories, or three? Are there accessbility challenges — steep driveway, tight lot, limited staging area? Xactimate applies story-height adjustments to labor cost that adjusters sometimes omit or underestimate on taller structures. Photograph the structure from all four elevations showing building height and any accessibility constraints.
Item 15
Permit Requirement
Does this municipality require a permit for roofing replacement? Call your local AHJ (Authority Having Jurisdiction) if you don't already know. Permit costs are a reimbursable insurance claim expense when they're required. Document the permit requirement and include the fee in the supplement. Many adjusters leave permits off initial scopes regardless of local requirement.
Item 16
Local Code Requirements
Beyond basic IRC requirements, does your local jurisdiction have specific roofing code requirements — enhanced drip edge specs, mandatory ice and water shield coverage, specific ventilation ratios, or underlayment requirements? Pull the local code or AHJ requirement document for your specific municipality. Code upgrades required by local jurisdiction are supplement items that can't be disputed when properly cited.
Item 17
Manufacturer Warranty Requirements
If the homeowner wants a manufacturer warranty on the new shingles, what does the manufacturer require for a valid warranty installation? Many manufacturers require specific underlayment, drip edge, ridge cap products, ventilation ratios, and installation methods. When these requirements exceed what the adjuster estimated, that's a legitimate supplement based on manufacturer specifications.
Item 18
Photos — Minimum 20 Per Claim
Document with a minimum of 20 photos per claim: all four elevations of the structure, close-up damage photos on each elevation, ridge, valleys, all penetrations, flashings, drip edge, eave conditions, and any code-relevant conditions. More photos are always better. Your supplement is only as strong as the documentation behind it — and photos are the most persuasive form of documentation available.
Item 19
Measurement Confirmation
Measure the roof yourself — tape measure or digital tool — and record your measurements before leaving the property. Compare against the adjuster's scope. If the adjuster's square footage is more than 2 squares off from yours, that's a measurement dispute worth an EagleView report. Don't assume the adjuster's measurement is correct — verify it independently on every claim.
Item 20
Existing Supplement History
Was this claim previously supplemented? Ask the homeowner. If a supplement was already submitted and partially paid, your new supplement needs to account for what was already recovered — and focus on what wasn't. Submitting a duplicate of a previously approved supplement causes carrier confusion and delays. Know what's already been approved before you submit.
📷 Pro Tip: Run through this checklist before the adjuster shows up, not after. When you've already documented all 20 items before the joint inspection, you're showing the adjuster exactly what the roof contains — and creating a record of conditions that exists before anyone has a financial motive to dispute them.
Use This Checklist on Every Claim
The contractors who consistently maximize supplement recovery aren't doing anything special on a per-claim basis. They're running the same systematic process on every claim, every time. This checklist is that process. Make it part of your standard inspection workflow and you'll build stronger supplements — and recover more money — across your entire claim portfolio.
Download the printable PDF version of this checklist at sovereignsupplementing.com/checklist. Take it to every inspection.
Documented Thoroughly. Recovered Completely.
When you submit through Sovereign's portal with complete documentation, we'll build a supplement from every recoverable item. 24-hour turnaround. Performance-only pricing. No recovery, no charge.
Submit Your Claim