Posted By John Postava on 11/05/2007 8:02 AM
The Simsol tic sheet is designed for a "Floor-to-Ceiling-Inside-to-Outside" scope (the way I learned to systematically scope any loss way back in the 1980's). ...Whatever program an adjuster uses, he or she should develop a systematic way of scoping a loss. It makes it easier to estimate a claim as well as examine the estimate.
I have heard suggestions to use a sequence like "bottom up" (floor to ceiling) on flood claims, "top down" on roof leaks, but I always end up writing a scope in the sequence of repairs - it's the only thing that makes sense to me.
For example, if the house is furnished, I need to move contents out of the room before replacing the flooring (but contents is toward the end of the Simsol tic-sheet). I'm glad this thread came up, because I don't use tic-sheets but probably should review one before leaving a loss - to suggest anything I overlooked. If I was going to customize one for me, I suppose I would visualize moderate fire damage to a bedroom, and a kitchen.
It's like peeling an onion, the layers of steps that occur to repair the damage. Move out contents, flooring, then anything on top of drywall such as casings, cabinets. Doors get looked at during this "layer". If kitchen or bath cabinets get touched, I start with describing the counter, then the cabinet, then any plumbing hookups, disposals, etc. I just visualize the sequence I would do the repair. Am I strange?? (don't answer this...)
Then I keep peeling the onion down to drywall, any framing repair, and electrical. I try to describe any and all removal before thinking about "put back". Many repair items are "remove and replace" so the put back was already described. When all of the drywall and casings are back in place, I list out paint items.
I always do the flooring "put back" toward the end of repair items, to include waste, from "drop and fill" carpet, or allowing for 6' roll of sheet goods, 12' roll, whatever. I just don't even think about that early on the estimate, because it's one of the last things I would do if I was fixing that room. If I read the estimate in the sequence of repair I can visualize what might be overlooked. As John says, have a system. This one is just a hard habit to break - I have tried it other ways but can't seem to break this habit.