Adjuster Estimates

Tags - Popular | FAQ  

PrevPrev Go to previous topic
NextNext Go to next topic
Last Post 01/06/2013 10:57 AM by  olderthendirt
The best Xactimate training manual I have ever seen
 33 Replies
Sort:
You are not authorized to post a reply.
Page 2 of 2 << < 12
Author Messages
Tim_Johnson
Member
Member
Posts:243


--
02/19/2008 9:00 AM
Many of you have different versions of Xactimate. I have learned that it is not as simple as just having version 24 or version 25. Through the life of version 24 there were 12 upgrades/enhancements to it. So, depending on when you started with Xactimate and whether or not you ever did any of the upgrades along the way, you could have version 24.0 or 24.1 or 24.6 or 24.12 or 25.0, or now as of late December 2007, even version 25.1. This was the first upgrade/enhancement of 25 since it came out earlier in 2007.

Some clients are tied into version 25.0. So, if you have 25.0 or any version earlier than that, you are compatible to do that client’s work. HOWEVER, there is a logistical problem with adjusters in the field having these varying versions of Xactimate. The issue is that IF the assignment is sent to one adjuster that let’s say has 25.0 and then that adjuster says that they cannot accept that assignment for some reason, you cannot simply forward it on to a neighboring adjuster if that adjuster has, let’s say, version 24.12 or 24.06 for example. There is a compatibility problem that requires that the assigning examiner completely re enter all the data so that it can then be sent to the second adjuster that has that different version. This would not be required if the other adjuster was also on version 25.0. In other words, once the assignment goes to an adjuster, and that adjuster opens it up in Xactnet, it is locked into the version of Xactimate that adjuster is using. It can no longer just be forwarded on to another adjuster with a different version – all the data has to be re entered and it has to be sent to the second adjuster like it was brand new.

And I have also learned this week that if you work with a contractor that has a more recent version of Xactimate than you do, you will not be able to get that estimate from him through Xactnet because your older version can’t handle his newer version. The beauty of him sending it to you through Xactnet of course is that you can then easily make changes and modifications as may be warranted. But being on different versions will necessitate that he send it to you in a PDF and then you would have to re enter all the data manually into your version of Xactimate.
Tim Johnson
0
BobH
Veteran Member
Veteran Member
Posts:759


--
02/19/2008 11:01 AM

I have a good example of what Tim is talking about, where you might need to make a change to a contractor estimate.

I have one with minor smoke damage throughout a house (something left on the stove. The Cubic Feet to be deodorized seemed HUGE. I looked at the formula, which is supposed to be Sf of floor x height, and it was entered by the contractor as WC x H (Sf of walls and ceiling x height) which was about 4 or 5x the right number. I had the actual (editible) file - so I was able to see how he did his math, what formula he used.  If it was simply printed to PDF I would have been guessing how he got the numbers.  They were way off. 

A more common error is painting an entire kitchen although only a narrow area of drywall exists between cabinets and behind fridge, etc. Not taking out a large shower surround as a missing wall area to be painted in a bathroom. (the error is treating the kitchen and bath as a basic box, with no adjustment for missing wall areas).

Whats the deal with this. I've had claims where an adjuster came in later changed(much more than a tweak) my estimate(without my consent or knowledge) in a way which I actually disagreed, but left my name on it. I was wondering what others felt concerning this practice.

In my opinion, the last one who touched an estimate should change the estimator's name to their own ID, and if they don't it may be they are lazy and overlooked that step - or it could be more sinister of not wanting to be responsible for their actions.

Working Clean-up, you pretty much have to fix estimates, and the mistakes in a pile of 100 claims do exist and they are real. The person fixing them usually identifies themselves as the person currently responsible for the file, and signs the latest version of the estimate. Sometimes it's not your fault, the attempt to patch the hardwood floor didn't work out and they need to do the whole room to get a uniform appearance, etc.

Bob H
0
Ray Hall
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts:2443


--
02/19/2008 4:04 PM

This is a good place to bring up the cost of removing the smell of a fire in a structure. Using an electric fogging machine with the chemical is effective, but the high cost per cubic foot can not be justified .I would like some programer to explain the factors that compose the unit cost.

I work regular losses daily and when I moan to the carriers about the low fee bills, you know the answer "thats what we pay -no one forces you to work for us." Thats a fact. I just want to tell that to the water suckers... chirp up on this cost please.

0
BobH
Veteran Member
Veteran Member
Posts:759


--
02/19/2008 7:59 PM

Ray I am also back to doing Daily Claims between storms.

I would like some programer to explain the factors that compose the unit cost

I know you have done this forever, but with non-Xactimate software (until recently).
In my zip code 93420 you can Ozone treat a smoke damaged room for 5 cents a cubic foot.

Some of the water suckers prefer Ozone as it is supposed to remove the offending odor particle, others say it is hard on electronic equip in the room (TV, stereo) and will cause metals to corrode if too much ozone, and will mess up rubber seals in appliances, etc.  (I just had 2 small smoke losses where the contents were not packed out).  This is Xactimate code CLN-DODROZ and for that 5 cents a CF you get the ozone machine running, close the doors, etc.

So... some opt for the foo-foo juice treatment, (electric fogging machine - deodorize) and that is Xactimate code CLN-DODR. If you look up that item, and click on the image (or hit F-8) you get the description and breakdown. In my area it is 6 cents a Sf, and 1 cent is materials and equip, 5 cents is the labor.

If you click on the "i" for "information" next to the price, you can drill down to the materials and they say a gallon of this foo-foo juice cost $39.95 and will do 64,000 Cubic Feet per gallon.

You can do this on any repair item for Xactimate, and see what materials are being used - like on a drywall Min-charge how many Sf are allowed for materials, they break down the mud and screws etc.

Bob H
0
mjholmes
Guest
Guest
Posts:1


--
03/29/2008 10:48 PM
FYI Xactimate tracks who makes changes to an estimate. From the print screen look at the xactimate audit report.
0
Ray Hall
Senior Member
Senior Member
Posts:2443


--
03/30/2008 2:33 PM

.04 or .05 per cubic foot to use any deoderant is what lawyers charge for their BS before a jury and this is what the water suckers expect on an xmate estimate. ? who agreed to this BS, but the bigger questions is its a myth and no one agreed.

0
meyerman
Guest
Guest
Posts:1


--
08/20/2009 6:57 AM

Where is the 2009 stuff?

 

0
okclarryd
Veteran Member
Veteran Member
Posts:954


--
08/20/2009 7:33 AM
Now wait a minute..............You guys are expecting 2009 stuff in 2009???

Man, y'all are pushy.
Larry D Hardin
0
DCave
Guest
Guest
Posts:36


--
08/20/2009 10:01 AM
My hats off to you guys that learned Xactimate from a book. Thats not an easy task. Ive been instructing for approx. 8yrs and been with the program since DOS days and theres no way in this world that I could have learned it from a book.

I havent looked at that training material you guys are talking about but if its as good as yall say, Im gonna get it just for reference if I ever start to teach again.

Thanks for the info.
0
preatis
Guest
Guest
Posts:2


--
07/09/2012 3:36 PM
Posted By Lindy on 04 Sep 2010 12:42 PM 
I have switched over to 27.1 and I can't for the life of me figure out how to automatically figure waste factoring on sketch roofs.

Unfortunately the auto sketch feature requires a creative touch unless your images are purchased from Pictometry or other roof imaging software. Even when using this the features are difficult for non CAD people and manual adjustments tend to remove the previous "auto" calculations. Below is a great free step by step training manual for FREE imaging using google maps, MapsGL and  Google Earth. 


http://rightbrothersgc.com/Contract...bsp; 




0
pondman
Member
Member
Posts:90


--
01/04/2013 6:56 PM
Wow .....just reading old posts...... Reminds me of the days I watched old episodes of Andy Griffith on the radio.
Give them what they want, when they want it, and how they want it !
0
olderthendirt
Member
Member
Posts:160


--
01/05/2013 9:42 AM
Hey I represent that remark!
Life is like a sewer, what you get out of it depends on what you put in it
0
pondman
Member
Member
Posts:90


--
01/05/2013 4:00 PM
You aren't the only one Dirt.......

Didn't I see you our high school prom? You hung out with Moses & Abraham that year, didn't you ?
Give them what they want, when they want it, and how they want it !
0
olderthendirt
Member
Member
Posts:160


--
01/06/2013 10:57 AM
No they were a few years behind me. At a point you have to decide what technology you have the will to learn and must have to stay employed. The good side is you never have to stop learning. Sun is coming out this afternoon and the pier is calling, maybe today I will catch something edible.
Life is like a sewer, what you get out of it depends on what you put in it
0
You are not authorized to post a reply.
Page 2 of 2 << < 12


These Forums are dedicated to discussion of Claims Adjusting.

For the benefit of the community and to protect the integrity of the ecosystem, please observe the following posting guidelines: 
  • No Advertising. 
  • No vendor trolling / poaching. If someone posts about a vendor issue, allow the vendor or others to respond. Any post that looks like trolling / poaching will be removed.
  • No Flaming or Trolling.
  • No Profanity, Racism, or Prejudice.
  • Terms of Use Apply

    Site Moderators have the final word on approving / removing a thread or post or comment.