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Xactimate Billing Guide: Professional Line Items for Shrink Wrap

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In the high-stakes environment of property insurance claims, the distinction between “temporary repair” and “professional stabilization” is often the difference between a closed file and a multi-year litigation over secondary mold or structural rot. For claims adjusters and restoration project managers (PMs), the technical accuracy of an estimate is paramount. However, a common friction point remains: the misuse of Xactimate codes for emergency roof enclosures.

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Historically, many adjusters have defaulted to the RFG TARP code for all roof-related mitigation. In a modern restoration landscape, where 12-mil heat-welded polyethylene is the standard for high-wind or long-term exposure, this legacy coding is not only inaccurate—it is financially negligent. This technical briefing, authored by our Technical Authority on Claims Documentation, provides a comprehensive roadmap for utilizing Xactimate shrink wrap codes to ensure accurate indemnification and project profitability.

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Navigating the Price List

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The Xactimate price list is a dynamic database, but its effectiveness depends entirely on the user’s ability to select codes that reflect the true scope of work. When a restoration firm installs a professional shrink wrap system, they are not simply “tarping” a roof. They are engineering a custom, drum-tight membrane that is heat-fused to the structure. This process requires specialized labor, high-BTU heat tools, and premium materials that far exceed the cost basis of a standard blue tarp and furring strips.

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RFG SWRAPP: The Professional Standard

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The primary code for this application is RFG SWRAPP (Shrink wrap – flame retardant – polyethylene). Unlike the standard tarping code, RFG SWRAPP accounts for the material costs associated with high-density, UV-inhibited polyethylene. This material is designed to withstand extreme wind loads and sustained UV exposure for six months or longer.

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When justifying the use of RFG SWRAPP over RFG TARP, the PM must highlight the “Duty to Mitigate.” Under most standard ISO homeowners and commercial policies, the insured is required to take reasonable steps to protect the property from further damage. A traditional tarp, which typically fails within 14 to 30 days due to wind-flutter or UV degradation, often fails this “reasonableness” test in the context of major catastrophes where permanent repairs may be delayed for months. By using professional Xactimate codes for emergency shrink wrap, the adjuster validates a solution that effectively pauses the claim clock, preventing costly secondary water intrusion.

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The Component Breakdown

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In certain complex scenarios, a single line item may not capture the full scope of the mitigation effort. For example, large-scale commercial losses or multi-family complexes may require structural strapping or perimeter weighted systems. In these cases, adjusters should look toward a “bid item” or a composite of line items that include specialized equipment and skilled labor categories.

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Xactimate Category	Standard Code	Professional Code (Alternative)
Material	RFG TARP	RFG SWRAPP
Labor	WTR LABOR	General Skilled
Equipment	None	Heat Gun/Specialized Tools

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The use of General Skilled Labor is often more appropriate for shrink wrap applications than standard Water Restoration Labor. The installation requires specific training in heat-welding techniques to ensure the membrane does not ignite while reaching the necessary shrink-tension. This is a technical trade skill that warrants a higher labor rate than general debris removal.

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Building a Bulletproof Supplement

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For a restoration PM, getting the RFG SWRAPP code approved often requires a “Bulletproof Supplement.” This is a documentation package that answers the adjuster’s questions before they are asked. In the world of insurance compliance, “if it wasn’t documented, it wasn’t done.”

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Documenting the Material Grade

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The most common reason for a line-item denial is the lack of material specification. To secure the higher reimbursement rate for shrink wrap, the file must include the technical data sheet for the 12-mil (or higher) polyethylene used. Documentation should clearly state that the material is:

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• UV-Inhibited: Crucial for preventing the “flaking” that leads to micro-plastic contamination and subsequent leakages.

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• 12-Mil Thickness: Standard tarps are often 5-8 mils. The 12-mil threshold is the industry standard for structural stabilization.

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• Heat-Welded: Photos must show the seams where the plastic has been fused together, creating a monolithic barrier.

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The F9 Note Strategy

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The F9 note (line item note) in Xactimate is your most powerful tool for financial justification. A well-crafted F9 note for RFG SWRAPP should read: “Professional 12-mil shrink wrap system installed to satisfy the Policyholder’s Duty to Mitigate. Standard tarping was deemed insufficient due to [Insert Reason: high wind exposure, roof pitch, or projected lead times for permanent materials]. This system provides a 6-month weather-tight seal, significantly reducing the risk of secondary mold and structural rot.”

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By framing the discussion around risk mitigation and indemnification, the PM aligns their interests with the adjuster’s goal: closing the file with no future supplements for water damage to the interior finishes.

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Wind Resistance and Code Validation

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In many coastal or high-wind jurisdictions, local building codes may actually mandate a certain level of temporary enclosure. If a project is located in a High-Velocity Hurricane Zone (HVHZ), a standard tarp held down by sandbags is often a code violation. Documenting these local requirements and attaching them to the Xactimate estimate makes the use of premium codes like RFG SWRAPP non-negotiable for the carrier.

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The ROI of Premium Mitigation

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From a financial and actuarial perspective, the “higher” cost of professional shrink wrap is an illusion. When we analyze the total cost of a claim (TCOC), premium mitigation is the single most effective way to control severity.

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Financial Data: Cost-Savings Analysis

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Based on our internal claims data and cost-savings analysis, professional shrink wrap systems reduce long-term claim severity by approximately 40%. How is this calculated? Consider a $100,000 commercial loss where the roof is damaged.

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• Scenario A (Standard Tarp): The $1,500 tarp fails after the first heavy rain. Water enters the building, damaging the ceiling grid, insulation, and electronics. A mold remediation sub-claim is opened. The total claim cost swells to $160,000.

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• Scenario B (Professional Shrink Wrap): A $6,000 professional shrink wrap (RFG SWRAPP) is installed. It remains intact for four months until the permanent roof is installed. No interior damage occurs. The total claim cost remains $106,000.

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In this scenario, the “more expensive” line item saved the carrier $54,000. This is the argument that professional PMs must present to adjusters. We are not just selling plastic; we are selling guaranteed dry-in.

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Seamless Integration with Xactimate Billing

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At Storm Wrappers, our Brand USP centers on the seamless integration with Xactimate billing. We understand that our clients—the restoration companies—cannot wait months for reimbursement. By providing photo-documentation packages that are pre-formatted for Xactware’s “Images” tab and line-item descriptions that mirror the RFG SWRAPP requirements, we ensure that the financial side of the mitigation is as tight as the wrap itself.

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Furthermore, the equipment involved—industrial heat guns, propane delivery systems, and specialized strapping—represents an overhead cost that standard “General Overhead” (10/10) does not always cover. In large-scale losses, it is appropriate to include these as direct job costs or “Additional Charges” if the scope of work requires mobilizing a specialized team. This is particularly true for steep-slope applications or high-rise commercial structures where specialized safety equipment (harnesses, lifts) is required to facilitate the wrap.

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Conclusion: The Path to Fair Indemnification

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The transition from “tarping” to “shrink wrapping” represents the maturation of the restoration industry. As buildings become more complex and catastrophes more frequent, the tools we use to protect them must evolve. For the adjuster, the goal is to pay what is owed—no more, no less. For the PM, the goal is to be compensated for the actual labor and material burden of the project.

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By mastering Xactimate shrink wrap codes and moving beyond the RFG TARP default, both parties achieve a more accurate, defensible, and stable claim outcome. Professional 12-mil systems are not a luxury; they are a structural stabilization service with a performance warranty that protects the interests of the carrier and the policyholder alike.

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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Q: Why is shrink wrap more expensive in Xactimate than tarps?
\nA: Shrink wrap represents a structural stabilization service with a 6-month warranty, not a temporary debris cover. It requires specialized 12-mil UV-protected materials and skilled labor for heat-welding, which significantly increases the material and labor cost basis compared to a poly-tarp.

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Q: Does RFG SWRAPP include the labor for installation?
\nA: Most versions of the Xactimate price list for RFG SWRAPP include the labor to install. However, for complex commercial roofs or high-rise applications, additional labor hours or specialized equipment (like lifts) should be billed as separate line items to reflect the actual incurred costs.

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Q: Can I use RFG SWRAPP for vertical surfaces?
\nA: Yes. Shrink wrap is frequently used for building envelopes after fire or vehicle impact. In these cases, it is often more effective than plywood for maintaining interior climate control and preventing further weather damage.

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