Restoration contractors who perform emergency shrink wrap installations frequently encounter the same frustrating scenario: the work is done, the property is protected, and then the insurance adjuster reduces or denies the line item because of documentation or billing format issues. The fix isn’t to stop billing for emergency wrap — it’s to bill correctly from the beginning. This guide covers the specific Xactimate codes, documentation requirements, and billing best practices that get emergency wrap jobs paid consistently.
Why Shrink Wrap Claims Get Reduced or Denied
The most common reasons emergency wrap line items are reduced or challenged during adjuster review:
- Vague description: “Emergency roof protection — $2,500” tells the adjuster nothing about what was done. They have no basis to evaluate reasonableness without material and labor breakdown.
- No square footage documentation: Shrink wrap is priced per square foot. Without documented dimensions, adjusters have no way to verify the scope matches the price.
- Wrong Xactimate code: Using a general code that doesn’t map to the actual work performed, or using codes inconsistently across claims, creates pattern flags in adjuster review.
- No before/after documentation: Adjusters need to see what was damaged and how the wrap addresses it. Photos that don’t clearly show the damaged area before wrap installation create uncertainty about whether the work was necessary.
- Timing gaps: Emergency wrap installed 2 weeks after the storm event is much harder to justify than wrap installed within 48 hours.
Xactimate Line Items for Emergency Shrink Wrap
The following Xactimate codes are the most accurate and consistently accepted for emergency shrink wrap work:
- RFG POLYE: Polyethylene protective covering — primary code for shrink wrap film material and installation labor. Priced per square foot of coverage area. This is your primary line item for residential wrap jobs.
- RFG TMPBRD: Temporary structural support / batten framing — for commercial installations that require batten frame construction before film application. Priced per linear foot of batten installed.
- RFG BOARD: Decking boards used in protective framework — for scaffolded commercial applications.
- WTR TEMP: Temporary protection — general emergency mitigation category. Use when a specific RFG code doesn’t capture the full scope of a complex enclosure.
- CONT DEBR: Debris removal — for removal of existing blue tarp, loose roofing materials, and debris that must be cleared before wrap installation.
- LABOR MISC: Miscellaneous labor — for work that doesn’t fit standard codes, such as emergency response premium, night or weekend installation, or hazardous access conditions.
Documentation Package That Gets Claims Approved
Build this documentation package for every shrink wrap job you want to get paid on:
- Pre-installation photos: Multiple angles showing the damaged area clearly, with date/time stamp visible
- Post-installation photos: Installation complete from multiple angles showing full coverage area
- Scope document: Written description of damage observed, protective measures taken, materials used (with specifications — film thickness, UV rating), and square footage of coverage
- Itemized invoice: Xactimate-formatted or line-item invoice with specific codes, unit quantities, unit prices, and extended totals. Include mobilization, materials, labor, and equipment separately.
- Measurement documentation: A quick sketch or markup photo showing how you measured the coverage area — length × width calculations that explain how you got to your square footage
- Storm event verification: Date of storm event, type of peril (wind, hail, tornado)
SubContractor Billing When Working with StormWrappers
Restoration contractors who subcontract shrink wrap work to StormWrappers receive documentation packages formatted specifically for insurance submission — including Xactimate line item invoices, photo documentation, scope descriptions, and material specifications. This documentation can be incorporated directly into your claim submission or used as support for your own Xactimate estimate. Contact your StormWrappers account representative to discuss documentation format preferences for your carrier relationships.
Frequently Asked Questions
What markup is appropriate on shrink wrap subcontractor costs?
Standard restoration contractor markup on subcontracted emergency services is 10–20%, which is defensible as project management, supervision, and administrative overhead. Higher markups require justification — significant coordination complexity, unusual access challenges, or specific carrier-requested documentation work that adds genuine cost to your overhead. Apply your standard subcontractor markup policy consistently across claim types.
Can I bill for emergency response premium on night or weekend calls?
Yes, with documentation. Night, weekend, and holiday emergency response typically carries a 25–50% labor premium over standard rates, which adjusters generally accept when documented as time-and-materials with actual timestamps. “Emergency call at 11 PM Saturday following tornado touchdown — 4 crew members × 6 hours × $85/hour (weekend rate)” is defensible; “emergency response fee — $2,000” is not.
