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Let's look at what he really said - because you are twisting it into something more sinister.

I doubt that Troy is pulling a price out of thin air. At a casual glance, not being focused on the zip code he is working - the price doesn't sound terribly low. And he is aware of what is or isn't included, and when to add for high, or steep.

Let's not throw him under the bus. Some adjusters (and roofers) should be thrown under, but it is a small %. Most of us are trying to do the right thing.

Gotcha. If a price isn't right, just ask the adjuster to print out exactly what is included in the repair item. With Xactimate, they just F8 the repair step (or click on the picture to the right of the repair description, to get "more info").

Like we were touching on earlier, people don't always REALLY understand what is or isn't included in a repair step. I think the most common error I see in newer adjusters is what ISN'T THERE. They haven't stayed in one place long enough to LIVE through the supplements - or calls from homeowner when they cannot seem to find a contractor to do the work for the price allowed. Then you find they didn't know if the database price included dumpster or not, they didn't check for multiple layers to remove, and on and on.

The devil is in the details, and if the scope of repair is described right, and the tools of the software are understood (including what is included for that repair item) then the task of estimate reconciliation gets a lot easier.

And I agree that the lowest bid is not always the right one. I was managing property 20 years ago when a roofer took off the roof of an apartment building just before it poured rain, we discovered the liability and bond insurance were fiction, and the guy had so many jobs open when the rain came that he basically folded (changed names...)

Ray, I have used Xactimate for years and presently use Sketch, which I find is the best one of the bunch.  I have not heard anyone say that the tear off is the actual roof area in Squares and that the install has waste added.  The rule of thumb has always been 10% waste for a gable and 15% for a hip.  Some roofs that are extremely cut up should have more waste added.  Also, additional charges for steep and 2 story are to be added, if needed.  When accessing the Estimate lines in Xactimate, on the right there is a picture of the material and a description of what the price includes.  Xactimate gives a figure including felt and one that does not.  I always included felt when the roof is torn off to the deck because the felt is destroyed in the process.  This is usually 15# felt and some of the roofers want 30# for 30 year or better roofs.  I go by the specs put out by the roofing material manufacturers, which is nearly always 15# felt. 

The guy who started this added P&O which shows he knew nothing about the roofing business.  He never mentioned waste, nor did anyone else, which kind of surprised me.  The biggest problem with Xactimate, or any other estimating product, is their price database is NEVER right on roofing.  I always get a price list going into a storm and correct my prices accordingly.

Tim, I know you uave seen this many times on a smoke claim. The remediation contractor runs the xmate estimate up the flag pole. The insured see's the bottom line and agrees to settle with the adjuster for 1/3 of the xmate bottom line. He hires his own maid services and takes SOME clothes to a cleaner and you and the insured settle the trash can clothes. You are the hero for saving the carrier 40-50%, the insured and agent are very happy. Now thats rolling the clock back two decades but I call it indemnification.