Restoration Estimator

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Estimating — Reconstruction (Core Claims)
  • Visit new assignments, scope the full extent of structural and finish damages, and document thoroughly with photos, notes, and measurements
  • Write accurate Xactimate estimates for reconstruction scopes including demo, framing, drywall, flooring, roofing, painting, and specialty trades — with a target turnaround of 24-48 hours from assignment
  • Submit estimates to insurance carriers or property management companies and manage the approval process through to signed contract
  • Negotiate line items, supplements, and scope disputes directly with adjusters — advocating with clarity and confidence for the full, accurate scope of work
  • Prepare and execute construction contracts in accordance with company standards
  • Schedule and lead pre-construction meetings with the client and assigned Project Manager
  • Identify and communicate change orders and insurance supplements throughout the project lifecycle
• Estimating — Emergency Services & Mitigation
  • Scope emergency services losses on-site — including water mitigation, fire/smoke cleaning, and mold remediation — with precision and urgency
  • Write mitigation estimates using Xactimate or Symbility, aligned with IICRC standards and carrier program requirements
  • Ensure scopes accurately reflect documented drying logs, equipment records, moisture mapping, and all labor performed
  • Carefully coordinate directly with Mitigation Project Managers to ensure field conditions align with the written scope
  • Handle supplement requests and negotiate additional line items for any scope changes arising during mitigation
• Xactanalysis & Carrier Portal Management
  • Own all day-to-day activity inside Xactanalysis — including file assignments, task completion, status updates, and SLA adherence
  • Monitor and respond to carrier reviewer notes and questions promptly, ensuring no file sits idle or falls outside program SLAs
  • Communicate with adjusters and carrier representatives via portal and direct correspondence — professionally, accurately, and without delay
  • Maintain clean, compliant file documentation across all carrier program portals as directed
• Supplement & Change Order Support
  • Partner with Project Managers to identify, write, and submit supplements throughout active project lifecycles — this is a core function of the role, not an occasional task
  • Write and submit change orders as scope changes arise in the field, coordinating with the production team to ensure accurate, timely documentation
  • Anticipate supplement needs proactively — reviewing project status, drying logs, and field updates — rather than waiting to be asked
  • Track supplement status and follow up with carriers to resolution
• Client & Adjuster Relations
  • Serve as the estimating team's point of contact for clients and carriers from assignment through estimate approval
  • Set clear, realistic expectations with property owners regarding scope, timeline, and the insurance process — communicating proactively so there are no surprises
  • Build and maintain strong working relationships with insurance adjusters, brokers, and TPA representatives
  • Communicate difficult or sensitive information with professionalism, empathy, and honesty
  • Resolve estimate disputes and escalate when necessary — always with the client's best interest and Merit's integrity at the center
• Operational Excellence
  • Manage a pipeline of active estimates and consistently meet carrier program SLAs and production team turnaround expectations — speed and accuracy are non-negotiable
  • Maintain complete and accurate documentation in DASH, Xactanalysis, and other platforms as directed
  • Ensure each project is set up to achieve minimum gross profit margins as determined by company standards
  • Participate in on-call rotation as required, serving as point of contact for new losses during evenings and weekends per the rotating schedule
  • Support the Accounting team as needed with job cost documentation, mortgage company correspondence, and invoicing details
  • Participate in company-sponsored marketing and networking events when requested

Requirements

• Experience & Technical
  • Minimum 2-3 years of insurance restoration estimating experience required; mitigation and/or commercial experience is a strong plus
  • Proficiency in Xactimate required; Symbility experience is a strong plus — familiarity with both platforms is ideal
  • Direct, hands-on experience working inside Xactanalysis — managing files, responding to reviewer notes, meeting carrier SLAs — is required
  • Familiarity with carrier program portals and IICRC drying standards
  • Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, Outlook)
  • Experience reading and interpreting construction plans and specifications
  • Understanding of subcontractor bid solicitation and construction cost fundamentals
• Character & Competencies
  • Production-speed mentality — this role demands consistent, accurate throughput across multiple active files simultaneously. You thrive when the volume is high, not when it slows down
  • Self-motivated and self-directed with strong initiative and independent ownership — you don't need to be managed toward your deadlines
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills; able to navigate complex conversations with adjusters, clients, and production teammates with clarity and confidence
  • Strong analytical skills; detail-oriented without being paralyzed by perfectionism. You write accurate estimates fast
  • Calm under pressure. Restoration is not predictable — this role demands someone who sharpens when the volume spikes, not someone who fades
  • Collaborative team player — you understand that your output feeds teammates downstream, and you treat that handoff with care
  • Committed to growth — personally and professionally. We build leaders from within and reward those who get better