By Eli Goins · FL DFS #P159790 · Reviewed: · 1 min read
Short answer: Labor is often the largest cost in a repair estimate, so when your carrier applies rates below Florida's current market, the whole estimate falls short. Xactimate generally tracks median market pricing but misses post-catastrophe surges and under-prices specialty work, so document real labor costs with contractor quotes, posted rates, and market surveys to counter.
Florida labor rate benchmarks
Skilled trades (post-catastrophe)
- General contractor: $75-$150/hr
- Roofer: $60-$120/hr
- Electrician: $90-$150/hr
- Plumber: $90-$150/hr
- HVAC technician: $85-$140/hr
- Mold remediation: $75-$120/hr
Specialty trades
- Forensic engineer: $250-$500/hr
- Industrial hygienist: $150-$300/hr
- Public adjuster: contingency (no hourly)
Xactimate vs. real rates
- Xactimate typically aligns with median market
- Post-catastrophe surge not always reflected
- Specialty work often under-priced
- Urban vs. rural adjustment present but limited
Counter-documentation
- Contractor quotes in the market
- Posted rates from contractors
- Labor market surveys
- Florida Division of Workforce data
- Time-and-materials breakdown for comparable work