Understanding a Contractor's Scope of Work

What a scope of work includes

A proper scope of work lists every individual task needed to complete the repair. It includes demolition and removal of damaged materials, disposal, new material installation, labor for each trade, material specifications and quantities, and any supporting work like permits, equipment rental, and content manipulation. Each item should have a description, quantity, unit of measure, unit price, and total cost.

Vague descriptions like 'kitchen repair - lump sum' are a red flag.

How to read line items

Each line item represents a specific task. For example, 'Remove and replace drywall, 1/2 inch, 150 SF @ $2. 85/SF = $427.

50' tells you exactly what is being done, the material specification, the quantity, and the cost. You should be able to match each line item to a specific area of damage in your home. If a line item does not make sense, ask the contractor to explain it.

Understanding each line item is the only way to verify that the scope is complete.

Comparing the scope to your insurance estimate

Place your insurance estimate and contractor scope side by side and compare line by line. Every item in the insurance estimate should appear in the contractor scope, and the contractor scope should include additional items that were missed. If the contractor scope is shorter than the insurance estimate, ask why.

If it is longer, those additional items may be candidates for supplemental claims.

Common missing scope items

The most commonly missing items in both insurance and contractor scopes include appliance disconnectAppliance Disconnect and Reconnect Labor: Is It in Your Estimate?When your kitchen or laundry area needs repairs, appliances must be disconnected, moved, and reconnected. This labor is a standard line item in Xac...
Read more → and reconnect, content manipulation (moving furniture), permit and inspection fees, dumpster rental for debris, final cleaning after construction, baseboard and trim removal and replacement, texture matchingDrywall Texture Matching: Why Your Repaired Walls Should Look RightAfter drywall is repaired or replaced, the texture on the new section needs to match the rest of the wall or ceiling. Texture matching is a skilled...
Read more → on drywall, and full-room paintingFull-Room Painting After Repairs: Why Patching Is Not EnoughWhen walls are repaired after water damage, fire, or other covered losses, the repainted patch rarely matches the surrounding wall. Most insurance ...
Read more → for color matching. Walk through the damaged area and think about every step of the repair process from demolition to final cleanup.

What to do

Request a detailed line-item scope of work from every contractor you consider. Do not accept lump-sum bids without a breakdown. Compare the scope to your insurance estimate and note every difference.

Walk the property with the contractor and go through the scope room by room. Ask about items that seem missing. A thorough scope of work protects both you and the contractor by setting clear expectations for the project.