Starter strip and drip edge
Both are separate lines from the field shingles. Count them in linear feet along eaves and rakes.
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Starter · Drip edge · Ice barrier · Flashing · Steep & high charges · O&PRoof claim scope gap checker: what is missing from the adjuster’s sheet
Most short roof claims are not short on price per square. They are short on lines: the starter strip, drip edge, step flashing, a steep-roof or two-story charge, a decking allowance, sometimes overhead and profit. Each is a normal part of doing the job, and each has a unit and a quantity you can check. Mark what the adjuster’s sheet already has, and the checker prices what is missing and writes a supplement request you can send.
Reviewed 25 October 2026 · Written by Mantu Kumar
See the illustration · See the live cost diagram · Open the calculator
Written and maintained byMantu Kumar
Evidence review18 October 2026
Calculation rulesRead the methodology
Quality standardEditorial policy
Key facts at a glance
- Drip edge is required at eaves and rakes of shingle roofs where the IRC is adopted (R905.2.8.5).
- Steep-roof charges usually start at 7/12 pitch; high-roof charges at two stories.
- Overhead and profit of 10% + 10% is commonly paid when three or more trades need a general contractor.
- Missing lines on a 28-square roof often add $3,000 to $10,000 once O&P is counted.
- A supplement is a request with evidence; the carrier reviews each line.
Unit ranges reflect 2026 insurance repair pricing; your carrier’s price list and local code adoption apply.
2026 planning ranges
- 1Starter strip · per ft of edge
- 2Drip edge · per ft of edge
- 3Ice & water barrier · per sq ft
- 4Ridge vent · per ft
- 5Step & counter flashing
- 6Steep & two-story charges
- 7Decking allowance
- 8Overhead & profit · 10% + 10%
- 9Permit + dumpster
- Compare line by line, not total to total.
- Photograph before tear-off.
- Cite the code or the shingle maker’s instructions.
Scope gap checker
No email · nothing sentDiagram, part by part
Roof claim scope gap: every numbered part explained
The roof claim scope gap drawing above has 9 numbered parts, from Starter strip to Permit and dumpster. Each card below frames one of them, and after you run the calculator it shows what that part adds to your estimate.
1Starter strip
per ft of edge
Starter strip is a separate adhesive-backed course laid at the eaves and rakes before the first row of shingles. It seals the first course down in wind, and shingle makers require it for the warranty, so it is priced by the linear foot of edge.
On the quote: Check linear feet on the sheet.
2Drip edge
per ft of edge
Drip edge is the bent metal along the eaves and rakes that throws water into the gutter and away from the fascia. The IRC requires it on asphalt shingle roofs where that code is adopted, and it is almost always replaced with a new roof.
On the quote: Cite the local code adoption.
3Ice & water barrier
per sq ft
Ice and water barrier is a self-adhering membrane at the eaves and in valleys that seals around nails. It is priced by the square foot and is required in many cold climates from the eave to 24 inches inside the warm wall.
On the quote: Check square feet included.
4Ridge vent
per ft
A ridge vent lets hot attic air out along the peak. When the old roof comes off, the vent and its cap shingles go with it, so a like-for-like repair includes a new vent priced by the foot.
On the quote: Confirm length.
5Step & counter flashing
Step flashing is woven into each shingle course where the roof meets a wall or chimney, and counter flashing covers it. Old pieces are bent or nailed through during tear-off, so new flashing is the normal scope.
On the quote: Photograph existing flashing.
6Steep & two-story charges
Steep roofs, usually 7/12 and up, and roofs two stories or higher are slower and need more safety gear. Estimating software prices this as a per-square labor charge on top of the shingles.
On the quote: Photograph pitch and height.
7Decking allowance
Rotted or delaminated sheathing only shows once the shingles are off. A decking allowance, priced per sheet or per square foot, lets the adjuster approve it without a second visit.
On the quote: Ask for a per-sheet price.
8Overhead & profit
10% + 10%
When a job needs a general contractor to schedule and supervise several trades, carriers commonly add 10% overhead and 10% profit on top of the trade costs. Three or more trades is the usual rule of thumb.
On the quote: Explain the coordination needed.
9 Permit and dumpster
Often left off the sheet
A building permit and a dumpster with haul-away are part of almost every reroof. If they are missing from the adjuster's sheet, they are easy to add with the permit receipt and the dumpster invoice.
What moves it: Your town's fee, roof size and the number of layers removed.
On the quote: Send the permit receipt and the dumpster invoice to the adjuster.
Line by line
Where roof estimates usually come up short
Lay the adjuster’s sheet next to your contractor’s proposal and go down it the same way a reviewer would: material, then the edges, then the details where the roof meets walls and vents, then the labor charges that depend on pitch and height.
Three places to look before you sign. These close-ups are crops of the same AI-generated illustration.
Step and counter flashing
Where a roof meets a wall or chimney, the flashing is bent or nailed through during tear-off and is rarely reused.
Mark each missing line
A red line through what is not there, with a quantity and a reason, is the supplement.
Before you sign a quote, verify these three details
- Quantities
- Squares with waste, linear feet of edge.
- Charges
- Steep and high-roof lines if they apply.
- O&P
- Whether a general contractor is warranted.
On this page
- Commonly missed lines
- Worked example
- Overhead and profit
- Sending a supplement
- Roof claim scope cost by region
- What “Trades on the claim” does to the price
- What “Overhead and profit (10% + 10%)” does to the price
- Supplement checklist: 7 items to include
- How the supplement usually runs
- Common mistakes that shrink the payout
- Ways to get missing items approved
- Signs the estimate is missing items
- Sources
- Questions
Roof lines adjusters commonly miss (2026 ranges)
| Line | Unit | Range |
|---|---|---|
| Starter strip at eaves and rakes | Linear ft | $2.10 – $3.40 |
| Drip edge | Linear ft | $3.00 – $4.80 |
| Ice and water barrier | Sq ft | $1.90 – $2.90 |
| Ridge vent, cut-in and cap | Linear ft | $9 – $15 |
| Step and counter flashing | Allowance | $450 – $1,200 |
| Steep-roof charge, 7/12 and up | Per square | $30 – $120 |
| Two-story or higher charge | Per square | $12 – $40 |
| Decking allowance | Sq ft | $3.40 – $5.20 |
| House wrap behind new siding | Sq ft | $0.65 – $1.25 |
| Permit; dumpster and haul-away | Each | $200 – $650; $450+ |
Quantities matter as much as the lines. Squares should include a waste factor, often 10% to 15% on a gable roof and more on a hip or cut-up roof. Edge lengths can be measured from satellite reports or a tape on the ground; the calculator estimates them from the squares and pitch if you leave them blank.
Worked example: 28 squares, 8/12 pitch, two stories
Adjuster’s sheet $16,000, roof plus siding and gutters
Worked example| Missing line | Range |
|---|---|
| Starter strip, 214 ft | $449 – $728 |
| Drip edge, 214 ft | $642 – $1,027 |
| Step and counter flashing | $450 – $1,200 |
| Steep-roof charge, 28 squares | $840 – $1,400 |
| Decking allowance, 280 sq ft | $952 – $1,456 |
| Overhead and profit, 10% + 10% | $3,867 – $4,362 |
| Missing from the sheet | $7,200 – $10,173 |
The middle of that range would take the sheet from $16,000 to about $24,700. Without overhead and profit, the missing roof lines alone are about $3,300 to $5,800.
Overhead and profit
When a job needs a general contractor to schedule and supervise several trades, insurers commonly add 10% overhead and 10% profit on top of the trade costs. The usual rule of thumb is three or more trades, such as a roof, siding and gutters, or a roof plus interior repairs. It is not a law, and carriers differ. If your claim has fewer trades but real coordination, explain why in the request.
How to send a supplement that gets approved
- Use the adjuster’s line names and units so each item lines up with the sheet.
- Attach evidence: photos of pitch and stories, existing flashing, soft decking, and the local code adoption for drip edge or ice barrier.
- Send it in writing before tear-off, or as soon as hidden damage is found, and ask for a reinspection if a line is denied.
- Keep the total honest. A line-by-line request with quantities is reviewed; a bigger number on its own is not.
Roof claim scope cost by region
The calculator's default roof claim scope scenario, repriced for each of its six regions. At the national average it runs $7,200 – $10,173; South / Lower Midwest is the lowest at $6,680 – $9,266, and West Coast metro is the highest at $8,400 – $12,265, a gap of about $2,360 at the midpoint.
| Region | Planning range | Midpoint |
|---|---|---|
| National average | $7,200 – $10,173 | $8,686 |
| South / Lower Midwest | $6,680 – $9,266 | $7,973 |
| Mountain / Plains | $7,000 – $9,824 | $8,412 |
| Mid-Atlantic / Upper Midwest | $7,680 – $11,010 | $9,345 |
| Northeast metro | $8,240 – $11,986 | $10,113 |
| West Coast metro | $8,400 – $12,265 | $10,332 |
What “Trades on the claim” does to the price
Every other input stays at its default and only “Trades on the claim” changes. The cheapest choice, One or two (roof only, roof and gutters), comes to $3,333 – $5,811; the most expensive, Three or more (roof, siding, windows, interior), comes to $7,200 – $10,173.
| Choice | Planning range | Midpoint vs default |
|---|---|---|
| One or two (roof only, roof and gutters) | $3,333 – $5,811 | −$4,114 |
| Three or more (roof, siding, windows, interior) (default) | $7,200 – $10,173 | — |
What “Overhead and profit (10% + 10%)” does to the price
Every other input stays at its default and only “Overhead and profit (10% + 10%)” changes. The cheapest choice, On the adjuster’s sheet, comes to $3,333 – $5,811; the most expensive, Missing from the sheet, comes to $7,200 – $10,173.
| Choice | Planning range | Midpoint vs default |
|---|---|---|
| On the adjuster’s sheet | $3,333 – $5,811 | −$4,114 |
| Missing from the sheet (default) | $7,200 – $10,173 | — |
| Does not apply | $3,333 – $5,811 | −$4,114 |
Supplement checklist: 7 items to include
A supplement request is stronger when each missing item has its own evidence.
- The adjuster's estimate. The full sheet with line numbers, not just the summary.
- Missing items list. Each item with quantity, unit and the reason it is required.
- Measurements. Eaves, rakes, valleys, ridge and roof squares from a report or photos.
- Code citations. Local code sections for drip edge, ice barrier or ventilation.
- Manufacturer instructions. Starter strip and ridge cap requirements for the warranty.
- Photos. Pitch, height, decking and flashing, with dates.
- Contractor estimate. Your roofer's line-item estimate for comparison.
How the supplement usually runs
| Stage | Typical time | What happens |
|---|---|---|
| Compare the estimates | 1 – 3 days | Line up the adjuster's sheet with your roofer's. |
| Send the request | 1 day | In writing, with photos and citations. |
| Insurer review | 1 – 4 weeks | Many states set response deadlines for claims. |
| Re-inspection | If needed | The adjuster may revisit the roof. |
| Revised estimate | 1 – 2 weeks | Approved items are added to the claim. |
Send items found during tear-off, such as rotten decking, before the new roof covers them, with photos of each sheet.
Common mistakes that shrink the payout
- Arguing totals instead of lines. Insurers review line items, so send them line by line.
- No evidence. A request without photos, measurements or code citations is easy to deny.
- Waiting until after the job. Hidden items such as decking need photos before they are covered.
- Missing deadlines. Policies and states set time limits for supplements and holdbacks.
- Letting a contractor waive the deductible. That can be insurance fraud.
Ways to get missing items approved
Approved supplements follow a few habits.
- Use the insurer's line format. Easier review.
- Attach a measurement report. Supports quantities.
- Cite manufacturer instructions. Warranty requirements.
- Photograph before tear-off. Existing conditions.
- Photograph during tear-off. Hidden damage.
- Send one complete request. Fewer back-and-forth delays.
Signs the estimate is missing items
Check the sheet for these.
- No drip edge line. Usually required.
- No starter strip. Required by manufacturers.
- No steep or high charge. On steep or tall roofs.
- No decking allowance. Hidden rot.
- No permit or dumpster. Needed on reroofs.
Sources and further reading
- ICC — 2021 International Residential Code, Chapter 9 Roof Assemblies
- Texas Department of Insurance — Roofing and insurance: know the law
- United Policyholders — Depreciation basics
- NAIC — Actual cash value vs replacement cost
Frequently asked questions
What is an insurance supplement for a roof?
A written request to add items or quantities the adjuster’s estimate left out, such as drip edge, starter strip, flashing or steep-roof charges, with evidence for each line.
Is drip edge required by code?
Under the International Residential Code (R905.2.8.5), drip edge is required at eaves and rake edges of asphalt shingle roofs. Your city or state decides which code edition applies.
Does insurance pay a steep roof charge?
Usually, when the pitch is about 7/12 or steeper. It is a per-square labor charge for safety equipment and slower work, and it rises at 10/12 and 12/12.
When is overhead and profit paid on a claim?
Commonly when a general contractor is reasonably needed to coordinate three or more trades. It is typically 10% overhead and 10% profit. Carriers and states differ.
Will insurance pay for new decking?
Rotted or damaged sheathing found during tear-off is usually covered as part of the repair. Ask for a per-sheet price in writing before work starts so the supplement is quick.
Should starter strip be a separate line from shingles?
Yes. Starter is a separate product applied at eaves and rakes, and shingle makers require it for warranty and wind ratings. Cutting field shingles as starter is a different, lower-quality method.
How long does a supplement take?
Often one to three weeks, faster with clear photos and a line-by-line request. Some states set time limits for insurers to respond.
Can my contractor file the supplement?
Yes, with your permission. You remain the policyholder; ask for a copy of everything sent and received.
Can a photo be turned into an Xactimate estimate?
Not on its own. Xactimate is the estimating software most adjusters use, and it prices line items such as squares of shingles, drip edge and flashing from measurements. Photos prove the damage and conditions, but the quantities still come from a roof measurement report or tape measurements. Use photos plus measurements, and this checker, to show which line items are missing.
What items are most often missing from a roof estimate?
Starter strip, drip edge, ice barrier, flashing, steep and high charges, decking, permits and dumpster are common gaps. Each one has a reason it is required.
Can my roofer talk to the adjuster?
Many roofers send supplements and meet adjusters, but state rules limit what contractors may do on a claim. Keep the conversation in writing and stay involved.
What if the insurer denies the supplement?
Ask for the reason in writing, add any missing evidence and resend. Appraisal and a complaint to the state insurance department are options when a dispute remains.
What is a roof pitch charge?
Estimating software adds a labor charge for steep roofs, typically starting around 7/12, because crews work slower and need safety gear.
Is ice and water barrier always required?
Many codes require it at the eaves in areas where ice dams are common. In other areas it may be required by the manufacturer in valleys or not required at all.
What is a two-story charge?
A labor charge for roofs on taller homes, where access and safety setup take longer.
Should flashing be replaced on a reroof?
Step and counter flashing are often damaged during tear-off and are commonly replaced. Reusing them can lead to leaks.
What is a waste factor?
Extra material to cover cuts, starter and ridge. Estimating software calculates waste based on roof shape.
Can I get paid for permit fees?
Permit fees required for the repair are commonly included in the claim estimate.
What is O&P?
Overhead and profit, commonly 10% each, added to an estimate when a general contractor is needed to coordinate several trades. Insurers often apply it when three or more trades work on the claim.
Are gutters part of the roof scope?
Gutters dented by the same storm are often added to the claim. Gutters that must be removed and reset during reroofing may appear as a separate detach-and-reset line.
Do I need a public adjuster?
For simple supplements, many owners and roofers handle the paperwork themselves. Large, complex or disputed claims may justify a licensed public adjuster, who charges a percentage of the settlement.
Related planning tools
Next steps for your estimate
Use the companion calculators when the job touches another part of the house or the claim.
Recoverable depreciation trackerCheck #1, Check #2 and the deadline.Roof replacement calculatorA full estimate to compare against.Roof area calculatorCheck squares and pitch yourself.Wind and hail deductiblePercentage deductibles in dollars.Matching laws calculatorWhen the rest must match.Code upgrade calculatorCode items paid from Ordinance or Law.
Key topics covered
Popular insurance supplement searches answered on this page
Planning topics covered in the calculator and guide above.
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