Common labor reductions
Hour count
- Skilled trades underestimated
- Setup/breakdown time omitted
- Supervision unallocated
- Helper/apprentice hours missing
Hourly rate
- Below-market rates
- Rural rates applied in urban areas
- Non-union rates in union zones
- Standard rate vs. required specialty rate
Ancillaries
- Overhead and profit (10-and-10) not included
- Mobilization charges omitted
- Permit / inspection time missing
- PPE and consumables omitted
Florida market reality
Post-hurricane Florida labor markets:
- Roofing: often 6+ month booking
- Licensed trades: 20-40% premium post-event
- Specialty (restoration, remediation): further premium
- Travel charges for displaced workers
Documenting real labor
- Contractor quotes showing full scope
- Published labor market surveys
- Trade-specific current rates
- Time-and-materials breakdown for comparable work
- Florida Division of Workforce data (rates by occupation/region)
Counter argument
Xactimate pricing is supposed to reflect current market. When carrier estimate falls below contractor quotes, the estimate is functionally below Xactimate: regardless of what line items show.