How to use this worksheet
Print the estimate and sit down with it in the damaged house, not at a kitchen table across town. Walk each room listed and compare what the page says with what you see. Most reconstruction estimates are organized by room, then by trade within each room, with quantities in square feet, linear feet or each.
Do not try to judge whether every unit price is right; that is a conversation between the adjuster and a contractor. Focus on whether the right things are on the page in the right amounts. Missing items, wrong measurements and the wrong material type are far more common than pricing errors, and they are easier for a homeowner to catch.
Room-by-room review
| Section | What to compare against the room | Your note |
|---|---|---|
| Room dimensions | Length, width and ceiling height match a tape measure, including closets and nooks | |
| Demolition | Every removed material is listed, with wall cut height | |
| Drywall and texture | Square footage covers all removed areas and the right texture type | |
| Insulation | Type and depth match what was removed | |
| Paint | Walls, ceiling, trim and doors each listed; coats noted | |
| Flooring | Material type matches what was there, plus pad or underlayment | |
| Trim and doors | Baseboard, casing, door slabs and hardware are included | |
| Cabinets and counters | Each damaged unit listed, plus detach and reset where needed | |
| Electrical and plumbing | Outlets, fixtures, supply lines and drains in the area | |
| General items | Floor protection, content manipulation, cleaning, debris hauling, permits |
Items that are commonly left off
Check whether each applies to your loss and whether it appears anywhere in the estimate.
- Moving furniture and contents out of the work area and back
- Detaching and resetting toilets, vanities, appliances and water heaters
- Closets, pantries and under-stair spaces in affected rooms
- Painting to a natural break instead of a single patched wall
- Transition strips, thresholds and stair nosing
- Smoke and CO alarms, outlet covers and switch plates
- Permit fees and required inspections
- Final cleaning before move-back
Common questions
- What if the room sizes in the estimate are wrong?
- Measure the room yourself, note the difference, and include it in your written list. Small measurement errors repeated across drywall, paint and flooring lines can add up.
General information for Littleton, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.