When estimating a large loss and a GC is involved how do you account for project supervision? When a roof requires deck and shingle replacement and is two stories and steep, do you allow 2 steep fees and 2 two story fees?

In my opinion that is just a different method of writing an estimate used by contractors that don't use the same software we do.  It's like expressing the job in a "Time and Materials" basis rather than unit costs.  They are describing some of the stuff that goes into the sausage.

It is part of the bits and pieces that would include "mobilization" and some of the other odd things you see on contractor bids that are not typically part of the Xactimate, MSB, or other estimating software programs. I think the short answer is that the unit costs should include adequate compensation for supervision once O&P are also allowed.

If it's a large loss, and there is economy of scale in the quantity of repair, then the unit costs should work out OK. I have allowed trip charges for a variety of reasons that are not included in unit costs, but to pay someone to supervise the same tasks that you are paying for by unit costs + O&P smells like double dipping to me.

I would allow something for the steep decking, but I just looked at the Xactimate price list and you are right there is no specific item for steep decking.  There is for steep roof framing, so it stands to reason that the decking should be compensated as well - though the steep fee for roofing seems a bit too high to apply to the decking, just my opinion. 

Bob and Bryan,
Estimating programs have made, for the most part, our creating of an estimate in a uniform format much easier than hand writing an estimate on a three part tear off .....
However, remember we are adjusters......adjust the estimate to a fair price so that the loss can be adjusted (hopefully) to a conclusion within the parameters established by the policy .
If you need to add a charge that is NOT IN THE PROGRAM, do so with an explanation........because the line item is not in the software does not mean that the operation does not exist or is not a righteous charge.....

Case in point.....how about fuel charges........any takers??

Best regards,
Joe

I agree with that 100%, and with a unique property or circumstance I find myself doing that. "Temp brace roof structure as pull tree out of living room"

And the decking that is 2 story and steep.

But the last time I personally saw the "Project supervision" line item was on 2 contractor estimates in 1994 for the Northridge earthquake, and I have done lots of hard hit burns etc. since then without that line item being proposed by a contractor. Or on my sheets. So I would have to ask myself, is this something that is not being allowed for in the unit costs and O&P?

Oh I just remembered another one last year, a University was flooded when our backhoe operator hit a 12" water line and they couldn't find the shut off. Lots of water, lots of buildings, and the 18 wheeler crews came in from out of town to dry it out. They billed for "project supervision" but their entire invoice was T&E with a documented list of man hours, and equipment, not our estimating program unit costs.

I'm not saying I would never consider it in addition to our "unit cost" estimating database + O&P, but I haven't thus far. My first reaction would be "double dipping".

I could use some of that. Rather than increase in my mile fee, I am getting a lot more "flat rate" files with first 50 miles free.
On a repair estimate, I would never put it there first, but if a contractor was from out of town working something like the California fires and they put it in their estimate, I would consider it.

If we put our blind faith in the quarterly price updates, you would hope that the market research they do would account for the increased fuel costs - our gas has been sky high for about a year.

I think the spirit of your post, is when the database doesn't meet the real world, we need to look at these kind of issues.

Everything costs more, getting worse, and it seems to feed on itself.  I wish the pay schedule was keeping up with it.

OK, so you are not an adjuster?