Tearing off a roof generates a massive volume of heavy, bulky debris. Disposing of this debris requires renting roll-off dumpsters, paying delivery and pickup fees, and paying landfill tonnage fees.
These are hard, unavoidable costs. Yet, insurance carriers routinely underpay for debris removal, often claiming that it is "included" in the tear-off line item.
If you are accepting the carrier's initial estimate for debris removal, you are likely subsidizing the homeowner's claim out of your own pocket.
The "Included in Tear-Off" Myth
The most common adjuster argument is that the Xactimate line item for removing shingles (e.g., RFG 240-) includes the cost of the dumpster.
The Reality: Xactimate's own line item descriptions clarify this. While the tear-off code includes the labor to remove the shingles from the roof and place them into a dumpster, it does not include the cost of the dumpster rental itself, nor does it cover the landfill dumping fees.
Xactimate has a specific, separate category for these costs: DUMPSTER.
Calculating the True Cost of Debris
To supplement effectively, you must understand how Xactimate calculates debris and how that translates to real-world costs.
1. Volume vs. Weight: Roofing debris is heavy. A single square (100 sq ft) of architectural shingles can weigh 250-300 pounds. A 30-square roof tear-off will generate roughly 4 tons of debris.
2. The DUMPSTER Line Item: The DUMPSTER line item in Xactimate is typically priced "per load" (EA). This price usually includes a specific weight allowance (e.g., 2 or 3 tons).
3. Tonnage Overage Fees: If your debris exceeds the weight allowance included in the base DUMPSTER price, you will be charged overage fees by the waste management company. These fees must be supplemented separately, often using a "Fee" or "Bid Item" code, backed by the actual invoice from the dumpster company.
How to Supplement for Debris Removal
When the carrier omits or underprices the dumpster, follow these steps:
1. Add the DUMPSTER Code: Add the DUMPSTER line item to your supplement. The quantity should reflect the number of roll-off dumpsters required for the job.
2. Provide the Invoice: The most bulletproof way to get debris removal approved is to provide the actual invoice from the waste management company. This invoice will show the delivery fee, the rental fee, and the exact tonnage dumped.
3. The Supplement Letter Argument: In your supplement letter, state clearly: "The Xactimate line item for tear-off (RFG 240-) includes the labor to remove debris to a receptacle, but explicitly excludes the cost of the receptacle itself and the landfill tipping fees. We have incurred hard costs for a roll-off dumpster and X tons of debris disposal, as evidenced by the attached invoice. Please reimburse these incurred costs."
Automating the Debris Argument
Gathering invoices and writing justifications for dumpsters is tedious administrative work.
EstimateDelta streamlines this. When you upload an estimate, our system checks for the presence of a tear-off code (like RFG 240-) and then looks for the corresponding DUMPSTER code. If the dumpster is missing, it is immediately flagged.
The generated Supplement Letter includes the exact Xactimate definition language proving that the dumpster is a separate, owed cost.
Stop paying for the insurance company's trash. [Use EstimateDelta to ensure your debris removal costs are fully covered](/pricing).