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if you are going to get that added to the list have them also add waterheater strapping to secure the waterheater to the wall. Also the water overflow tube coming off the top of waterheater. i believe it is code to have these tubes installed.

MSB and Simsol were written by people who have adjusted claims, yet the organizational structure of those two programs is very different.  I've realized that no approach is right or better than another, its up to the user to make proper use of the program and demonstrate their ability to adapt.

I've been a long time user of MSB and had many nights where I was ready to throw my computer out the window because Xactimate just didn't suit me and/or my preferences.  I finally buckled down and attended several seminars, read manuals to figure out this behemoth program.  One user once told me that you need to learn how to "think Xactimate". To make sure you are grasping and retaining the content of these courses earn one of at least seven Xactimate Certifications that they provide.

For everything you do in Xactimate, there is at least one (1) other way to access or complete a task (data transfer, add a line item, create a room, create an ITV file, etc.).  Instantly, I can think of eight (8) different ways to add a line item to an estimate.  I've been an MSB user for eight (8) years (Xactimate for three) and can only think of two (2) ways, at best, to add a line item in an MSB estimate.

This point demonstrates Xactimate's overwhelming flexibility.  I realize you and others would call this complication, but once you are familiar with the methods and can think Xactimate, creating an estimate with it becomes very effiicent. 

Xactimate has been designed to cater to a magnitude of varying opinions/approaches regarding the presentation of a loss that suits any given user.  This allows the user to effectively communicate a recommended price for a given scope of repairs.  You don't have to know all eight ways to create a line item in your estimate, but you will learn at least two (2) common methods- perhaps three (3)- of doing so in any basic Xactimate course.

...I just recalled a ninth (9th) method; Project Merge.

Lets assume you have an explosion loss on a large University property with 10 buildings damaged, the whole operations would have new expense to continue to function as normal. New access to parking lots, new police for traffic control, new 24 hour security for short times for off duty police, students and labors.  You are the clerk of the works, rental tools coming and going short term and long term. The offshore underwriter has placed $2 mil. in a trust account to pay all expense when incurred and a W-9 for each person and the SS # must be submitted by the COW to the underwriter each day. Can this be done in xmate , with accurate-exact area descriptions?

Some claims require more than just an estimate and estimating software should not be used as a catch-all for all types of losses. 

Leland,

Check the current price list and there is now a code under CAB to replace the 1x4 toe kick that is secondary to the re-skin code , another option I have used is FNC 1x4 with the footage needed.   

If exactimate will not put in a price for resticking shingles that may be "unsealed by wind"...... what would make a jury think any of their "measurable units and price "guides"  should be used as the fair standard, mandated by many insurance carriers  staff  along with IA Adjusters, contractors and others who estimate property loss claims using the "only" fair  estimating program?

Wind lift is now a scope item in windstorm losses. The industry must address this scope. If the carriers would hire the roofer direct and stand behind the roofers work, waive the wind deductible, these losses would be like cracked windshields and billions can be saved nationwide.

The debate is still on going but it sounds like you feel that "Wind Lift" is always damage, if that is the case then why don't you use the term "wind damage" or just damage instead?

I was in the Haage class many years ago and it seems I learned some bad myths about visable wind damage. I have inspected several thousand roofs for wind/hail damage and have seen all types of shingles in all age  brackets  with wind velocity confimed and hail hits observed, with all of that ,lets do a hypo composition roof.

Some netural person looks at a comp. roof insalled with the best material and workmanship the day before gale force winds are predicted, and finds the entire roof in very good condition for a 5 year installation.

The same person inspects the roof after the gale or 70 MPH wind gust pass and finds about 25% of all the 3 tabs shingles are now unsealed. A reasonable person would have to conclude the shigles were blown up but not broken /creased by the force of the wind. Thousands  of engineers, adjusters and 95% homeowners will agree the tabs can be restuck by hand using mastic.

Thousands of contractors, public adjusters , lawyers and about 5% of the homeowners will say the roof needs total replacement. It seems exactimate has the reserch needed to determine the fair price for an excellant contractor to clean (1) large cloth lamp shade with heavy soot.

Randy, you were looking at direct wind damage if the comp. shingle was creased, broken or missing. As claim adjusters we need to think of four words in this order 1. disturbed 2. damaged 3.repair 4 .replace.