How to use it
Start a sheet for each room or area that had any fire, smoke, heat or water damage, including closets, hallways, the attic, garage and any lower level that took firefighting water. Walk the room with the estimate in hand and fill in one row for each surface or component. Use the adjuster's estimate as the starting point, and add rows for anything you see that is not listed.
Keep updating the sheet as the job progresses. When walls are opened and the scope changes, mark the row rather than starting over, so the history of each item is visible in one place.
Worksheet columns
| Column | What to write | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Surface or item | Ceiling, each wall, floor, trim, doors, windows, cabinets, fixtures | North wall |
| Damage type | Burned, heat, smoke, water, or a combination | Smoke and water |
| Planned action | Clean, seal, repair, replace, or remove only | Remove lower drywall, seal studs, replace |
| In the estimate? | Yes, no, or partly; note the estimate line | Partly; drywall listed, sealing missing |
| Changed after opening? | What was found and the date | Char on two studs found during demo |
| Supplement sent | Date sent and response | Sent, approved |
| Completed | Date and your initials after you inspect | Done, checked at walkthrough |
Rows people often forget
- Inside closets and cabinets, which hold smoke and are easy to skip.
- Light fixtures, ceiling fans and vent covers.
- Window treatments, blinds and screens.
- Doors, including the interior faces of closet and garage doors.
- The attic, including insulation and the underside of the roof deck.
- Ductwork and registers in rooms the smoke passed through.
- Exterior siding, soffits and gutters near the fire.
- Lower-level ceilings and walls under the fire area.
Common questions
Should contents go on the same worksheet?
Keep belongings on a separate inventory. Mixing structure and contents makes both harder to reconcile with the insurer's separate estimates.
What if the estimate groups several rooms together?
Some estimates combine small spaces, such as a hall and closet, into one area. Keep your own sheets separate anyway, then note which estimate area each one maps to. That way nothing in the smaller space gets lost inside a combined total.
Who should see my worksheet?
Share it with your contractor and adjuster when you raise a specific question, along with photos. It is most useful as a working document you bring to meetings rather than a report you send once.
General information for Westminster, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.