Frequently Asked Questions

Our FAQ's are listed here in separate sections. Please click on the associated link to review the FAQ's for that section.


FAQ's for Home & Property Owners

FAQ's for Contractors and Vendors

FAQ's for Insurance Companies and Representatives

FAQ's for Structural and Forensic Engineers and Architects


Home & Property Owners

Can I submit my ProDescs ® estimate to my insurance company for my claim?

Absolutely.  A ProDescs ® estimate is written in a format that is acceptable to insurance companies.  It is written with the same estimating software that it is the insurance industry leader and is accepted by insurance companies nationwide.

Do you guarantee that a claim will be settled for the amount of the estimate?

Unfortunately no.  That's why they are called 'adjusters'.

What is a 'scope' or 'scope of work'?

The trades and services required to restore a property are referred to as a 'scope' or 'scope of work'.  An estimate written for insurance claim purposes is itemized for each trade or service required.  For instance, an interior water damage claim may include plumbing, drywall, trim, painting, cabinetry and flooring.  The work associated with each trade is listed as line items in the estimate.  The estimate itemization of the work required is commonly referred to as the 'scope' or 'scope of work'.  When ProDescs ® provides a Property Damage Estimate Review and Evaluation, it is the 'scope' of work that is examined, evaluated and compared for accuracy and cost feasibilty to the damage that exists at the property.

I submitted my ProDescs ® estimate to my insurance comapny but my insurance company sent back an estimate from them and a check.  Why didn't they pay from the ProDescs ® estimate?

Some insurance companies require that a claim settlement be paid from an estimate written by them or their representive.  Your ProDescs ® estimate represents a professional property damage appraisal for the damage to your property and remains a part of your claim file.  A comparison will need to be made between the ProDescs ® estimate and the estimate from your insurance company.  The 'scope of work' of each is what is to be compared.  Any differences are to be noted whether included or excluded from each estimate.  This evaluation can be provided by ProDescs ®.   Their may be an additional charge associated with this service because of the amount of time involved in making the comparison.

The estimate that I received from my insurance company seems low.  How can ProDescs ® help?

ProDescs ® provides a service that we call Property Damage Estimate Review and Evaluation .  We examine the 'scope' of work listed in your insurance companies estimate and compare it for accuracy and cost feasibilty to the damage that exists at the property. ProDescs ® can also provide a Property Damage Estimate if necessary.  This may be required in order to supplement your claim and to obtain the necessary funds to complete the restoration of your property.  A ProDescs ® estimate represents a professional property damage appraisal for the damage to your property and would become a part of your claim file.  A comparison will need to be made between the ProDescs ® estimate and the estimate from your insurance company.  The 'scope of work' of each what is compared.  Any differences are to be noted whether included or excluded from each item.  This evaluation can be provided by ProDescs ®.   Their may be an additional charge associated with this service because of the amount of time involved in making the comparison.

Should I use an approved insurance contractor?

There are advantages to hiring an approved insurance restoration contractor.  Restoration contractors who are actually approved will, in most cases, be recognized by your claims department.  Securing an approved contractor can prove invaluable especially if unforeseen damage or circumstances arise during the reconstruction of your property. They know how to handle these types of issues and to communicate effectively with your insurance company.

Do I have to use an approved insurance contractor?

No.  You don't.  However, and unfortunately, there are contractors who masquerade as 'approved insurance contractors' so you have be diligent in researching the contractor that you may want to restore your property.  There are many capable and reputable contractors who can provide reconstruction services that are not considered 'restoration contractors.'  If you know and trust a contractor who is not an approved insurance contractor, ProDescs ® can assist in transferring your contractors estimate into a format that can be submitted to your insurance company.  The important issue with hiring a non insurance approved contractor is one of trust.   CAUTION: Contractors who state that they will bill your insurance company directly are not necessary an 'approved insurance contractor'. Because they know how to submit an estimate to an insurance company does not mean that they are an 'approved insurance contractor'.

Your pricing and fees seem high.  Why?

There is no substitute for experience. We offer the ProDescs ® Advantage and stand behind our work. We consider our pricing and fee structure as competive in relation to our level of expertise. The primary reason we are in business is due to the inexperienced, unqualified, unethical and wannabes who are in the insurance industry. In many cases, you would not need our services if experienced ethical professionals were involved with the damage to your property.

What is an 'Open Item'?

There may be trades or services where the cost for that trade or service is yet to be determined with regard to the damage to the property.  On losses where building permits/fees may be required, the cost for these services are typically paid by an insurance company 'as incurred'.  So the amount for the building permit/fees would be submitted at a later date and would be paid at the actual cost for the permit.  On an initial estimate, the building permit/fees may be listed as an 'Open Item'.  

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Contractors and Vendors

Is the 'No Deposit Required' promotion available to Contractors or Vendors?

Yes. Restrictions do apply. Estimates that exceed $75,000 may require a deposit. It is important to note that the preview report sent for review is limited in the information provided. A ProDescs ® watermark is applied and limits the use for review only. A ProDescs ® review report cannot be submitted for use. To request requirements and restrictions for the 'No Deposit Required' Promotional, click here

What are your fees?

Projects will vary in difficulty but a standard 1% can be used to formulate an approximate cost. Minimum charges may also apply. Established clients receive discounts based upon volume of work. 

Do you accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express?

We do.

What is the turn around for an estimate?

Please allow 24-48 hours for each step.

Why hire ProDescs ® to outsource estimating?

ProDescs ® staff has a proven track record of consistently providing estimates that hit company margin requirements. Because our experience is primarily with insurance restoration contractors, we write our estimates knowing that estimators are the front line of defense for a companies profitability. We know that each insurance company will have their own estimating guidelines.  Insurance company review departments expect restoration contractors to produce their estimates accordingly and that require minimal revision. We have written estimates for direct repair programs for many of the major insurance companies. Insurance company direct repair programs have specific guidelines and time limitations with regard to estimate submittal and upload. ProDescs ® can assist direct repair program contractors to meet program requirements.

Contractors who are not part of insurance repair programs or who are not considered restoration contractors can still benefit from the insurance related experience of ProDescs ® staff. If you would like to make a positive impression with an adjuster or insurance company, an estimate written by a restoration professional from ProDescs ® will help in lending credibility to your company.

Our clients insurance company will not accept our estimate and proposal. How can ProDescs ® help?

If the issue is the estimate format, in other words, your estimate is not written with Xactimate® or other insurance estimating software, ProDescs ® can help.    Insurance companies expect estimates to be written in a format that their desk adjusters and reviewers can interpret in order to 'adjust' the claim if necessary.  Contractor estimates or proposals that include only trade/division breakdown or lump sum amounts are typically not accepted unless they have something to compare it to.  When provided with the damage specifics of a claim, ProDescs ® can prepare an estimate for the contractor that an insurance company can interpret, review and approve.  The damage specifics would include a floor plan (hand sketched is acceptable) that includes all of the necessary dimensions (see Tools), photos of the damage and what your expected scope of work includes. 

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Insurance Companies and Representatives

Do you provide on-site inspections?

No. ProDescs ® provides its services remotely and virtually.  Our experience comes from the on-site inspections that we have completed for practically every imaginable type of loss.  We are able to discuss loss specifics with company representatives, the named insured or their representative in order provide a loss estimate. 

Are you able to accept assignments through XactNet?

Yes. ProDescs ® can provide profile specific estimates and is currently running Xactimate ® version 27.5.  The insurance company will need to communicate to Xactware that ProDescs ® is approved to download the company specific Xactimate profile.  Upon completion of the Xactware internal profile setup and the download of the profile and receipt of company specific estimating guidelines, ProDescs ® will then be able to accept assignments through XactNet. Contractual arrangements similar to direct repair contractors would be acceptable after review and approval by ProDescs ® management.

Do you work with independent adjusting firms?

We can. But it is important to note that we do not do on-site inspections. ProDescs ® provides its services remotely and virtually. However, we are able to discuss the loss specifics with your field representatives in order to assist with a claim loss estimate.

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Structural and Forensic Engineers and Architects

Can ProDescs ® produce an estimate according to plans and specifications provided?

Yes. Our extensive construction background in reading plans and specifications allows us to put our estimating background to work to provide a plan specific itemized estimate that insurance companies expect. Our experience includes both residential and commericial construction. Our construction experience affords us the ability to commumincate technically and effectively with project engineers and architects.

How much do your services cost?

Projects of this nature utilize an hourly structure typical of engineering and architectural services. A project specific quote could also be provided.

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