Fire Rebuild Estimate Checklist: 15+ Things to Review Before You Sign Off

After a fire, it's easy to feel like the big number on your rebuild estimate is the whole story.

But in practice, what matters just as much is how that number is built:

• What's included
• What's missing
• How it's priced
• How it matches your policy and your actual home

This checklist is designed to be used with your estimate open in front of you. You don't need to be a contractor to use it—you're just looking for areas where the scope or pricing doesn't seem to match reality.

Section 1: Big-Picture Questions

1. Does the estimate clearly describe your home?

Look at the basic description:

• Square footage
• Number of stories
• Major features (garage, decks, patios, pool, etc.)

If the starting description doesn't reflect what you actually had, that inaccuracy can ripple through the entire estimate.

2. Is every major area of the property represented?

Check for line items or sections for:

• Main living areas
• Bedrooms and bathrooms
• Kitchen(s)
• Garage(s)
• Decks, balconies, and exterior living areas
• Site work, driveways, retaining walls, stairs

If a space existed before and isn't clearly represented in the estimate, that's a flag.

Section 2: Room-by-Room Scope

3. Are the room finishes consistent with what you had?

For each key room (especially kitchens and baths), ask:

• Are flooring, cabinets, counters, and fixtures at a similar level to what you lost?
• Do "standard" materials appear where you had high-end, custom, or specialty items?

4. Are built-ins and custom details included?

Look for allowances for:

• Built-in cabinetry and shelving
• Custom closets
• Fireplace surrounds
• Trim and moldings beyond the basic level

Custom features add cost—if they're missing or simplified, the estimate may be low.

5. Are allowances realistic for finishes?

Some estimates include lump-sum allowances for:

• Tile
• Countertops
• Lighting
• Plumbing fixtures

Cross-check these against what you actually had and what similar quality costs today. Unrealistically low allowances can hide a shortfall.

Section 3: Structure, Systems & "Unseen" Items

6. Structural work and framing

Check whether the estimate addresses:

• Foundations and slabs
• Structural framing (walls, beams, roof structure)
• Special conditions (hillsides, retaining structures, piers)

Simplified structural assumptions can seriously understate real cost.

7. Mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP)

Are there clear line items for:

• Electrical rough-in and fixtures
• Plumbing rough-in and fixtures
• HVAC systems, ductwork, and controls

If MEP scopes look overly basic, that may not reflect actual labor, materials, and complexity.

8. Insulation, air sealing, and envelope

Modern code requirements often require:

• Upgraded insulation
• Air sealing
• Energy-efficient assemblies

Check whether these are considered, especially if your rebuild must meet updated codes.

Section 4: Exterior & Site Work

9. Roofing and exterior envelope

Look at:

• Roofing materials and installation
• Exterior siding, stucco, stone, or cladding
• Windows and doors (including quality level)

If you had higher-end materials, check whether the estimate reflects that.

10. Hardscape, retaining walls, and access

Hillside or sloped lots often involve:

• Retaining walls
• Stairs and walkways
• Driveways and access improvements

These can be major cost drivers. If they're missing or minimized, the estimate may be light. This is especially common in Pacific Palisades and Altadena hillside communities.

11. Landscaping and site cleanup (where covered)

If your policy includes some coverage for landscaping and site cleanup, review:

• Tree removal
• Debris removal
• Rough grading

These items can add up quickly after a fire.

Section 5: Pricing & Labor

12. Unit pricing vs. real-world bids

If you have contractor bids, compare a few line items:

• Framing labor
• Roofing
• Tile installation
• Drywall and painting

If the estimate's unit pricing is significantly lower across the board, that's a sign the overall number may not reflect current local conditions.

13. Labor intensity & access

Ask yourself:

• Does this job require more staging, scaffolding, or protection than the estimate suggests?
• Are there tight access conditions or hillside challenges?

If the estimate reads like a simple, flat-lot build, but your home is more complex, that's a gap.

Section 6: Code Upgrades & Allowances

14. Code upgrades and ordinance or law coverage

Check:

• Are required code upgrades listed?
• Are there line items or sections for ordinance or law work?
• Do amounts align with what your contractor says is required?

If your jurisdiction or current codes require upgrades, but the estimate doesn't reflect them, that cost has to be covered somewhere.

15. Temporary measures and additional living expenses (ALE)

Your policy may have:

• Coverage for temporary repairs and stabilization
• Separate coverage limits for additional living expenses

These might not be in the rebuild estimate itself, but they're part of the overall picture. Make sure you understand the limits and how far they'll realistically go.

Section 7: Policy Alignment

16. Does the estimate line up with your coverage structure?

Questions to consider:

• Does the estimate "fit" inside Coverage A, or is it bumping into the limit?
• If you have extended replacement cost, is that clearly understood?
• Are other structures, code upgrades, and additional coverages reflected where they should be?

This is where a conversation with a public adjuster or attorney can be especially valuable. They can help you understand how the estimate and policy interact and what options you have.

What to Do If the Checklist Raises Concerns

If you go through this checklist and find multiple areas that feel light or missing:

Talk to your contractor

Ask them to mark up areas where the estimate doesn't match real cost.

Consider professional advice

That might include:

• A public adjuster can help with adjusting and negotiating the claim
• An attorney can advise on legal rights, disputes, and potential bad-faith issues
• Consumer resources like the California Department of Insurance and nonprofit groups such as United Policyholders

Consider an independent rebuild valuation

A service like ClaimArchitect focuses on:

• Digitally reconstructing your home using professional construction-estimating tools
• Running detailed takeoffs for materials, labor, and scope
• Applying local pricing based on real-world construction conditions
• Having a licensed general contractor review and sign off on the numbers

You end up with a builder-verified valuation and a detailed report you can put into the hands of your adjuster, public adjuster, or attorney. Learn more about how the process works.

How ClaimArchitect Fits Into Your Rebuild Strategy

ClaimArchitect does not:

• Replace your attorney, public adjuster, or contractor
• Negotiate, adjust, or settle claims
• Provide legal or tax advice

What it does is help answer this question as accurately as possible:

"What does it truly cost to rebuild my home, as it was, in today's market?"

If the answer from your carrier feels off, having your own architect-level, builder-verified valuation in hand can be a powerful way to ground your decisions in data, not guesswork.