Where residential estimates usually fall short
Most underpaid home claims aren’t denied. They’re trimmed. A carrier estimate might replace the wet section of hardwood and ignore the continuous run through the hallway. It might price a two-story roof as if it were walkable, or skip the permit, the dumpster and the electrician needed to bring a circuit up to current code.
Washington housing adds its own wrinkles. Older Puget Sound homes often have plaster, old-growth fir trim and knob-and-tube remnants. Newer subdivisions in Clark and Snohomish counties have open floor plans where one damaged room touches four others. Eastside ramblers and split-levels often carry finished basements that turn a small leak into a big scope.
What our homeowner appraisal covers
- Dwelling (Coverage A), including roofing, siding, interiors, framing and mechanical systems.
- Other structures (Coverage B): detached garages, shops, fences and outbuildings.
- Personal property (Coverage C) when contents values are in dispute.
- Code upgrade items under ordinance or law coverage, where the policy provides it.
- Additional living expense documentation when a home is unlivable during repairs.
Matching and continuity
Disputes over matching are some of the most common we see. How a mismatch is handled depends on your policy wording, the state’s claims-handling rules and the facts of the loss. We document the material, the run, the sight lines and the availability of a match so the panel can decide on evidence.
Condo unit owners
If you own a condominium unit, your HO-6 policy and the association’s master policy split the building between them. We help sort out which policy pays for which part before valuing the loss.
Frequently asked questions
Do you handle claims where repairs are already finished?
Yes. Invoices, photos, permits and the contractor’s scope can support an appraisal after the work is done, though early documentation is always stronger.
My policy pays actual cash value only. Is appraisal still useful?
It can be. The panel still decides replacement cost and depreciation. Overstated depreciation is a common reason ACV payments come in low.
Will appraisal raise my premium?
Premiums are set by the insurer under its filed rates and underwriting rules. Appraisal is a policy right for resolving the amount of a claim already made, not a new claim.
Related services
Related serviceCondo, HOA & Commercial Appraisal
Master-policy, multifamily, retail, office and industrial losses with large scopes and long timelines.Learn more
Related serviceRoof & Hail Damage Appraisal
Shingle, metal, tile and low-slope roof disputes over slopes, repairability, steep charges and code items.Learn more
Related service