How depreciation is estimated here
The calculator uses straight-line depreciation, age divided by expected life, capped at the maximum you choose. Real estimates may adjust for condition, use different life expectancies or treat some items as non-depreciable, so treat the result as a planning figure.
Typical life expectancies
| Item | Common range |
|---|---|
| Composition shingles (30-year) | 25–30 years |
| Cedar shake roofing | 20–30 years |
| Interior paint | 8–12 years |
| Carpet | 8–12 years |
| Fiber cement siding | 30–50 years |
| Water heater | 10–15 years |
Getting holdback released
Most policies pay recoverable depreciation once repairs are finished within a time limit. Send invoices and photos of the completed work. The claim timeline planner can remind you before the window closes.
Questions about this calculator
Should labor be depreciated?
Practice varies by insurer and policy wording. If your estimate depreciates labor, ask the insurer to explain its approach in writing.
What if I don’t repair?
Under most replacement cost policies, you keep the ACV payment but may not recover the held-back depreciation.
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