Download State Farm Insurance Companies Catastrophe Fire Independent Adjuster Training and more Exams Agricultural engineering in PDF only on Docsity!

State Farm Insurance Companies Catastrophe Fire Independent

Adjuster Training Estimatics Study Guide with Complete Solutions.

Catastrophe – Estimatics Study Guide

This material is for authorized State Farm Insurance Companies use ONLY. Do not reproduce without the consent of State Farm Insurance, P&C Claims, Catastrophe Services Learning and Development Department, Bloomington, Illinois. These instructions are prepared for national distribution and are not individually modified for each state. Claims personnel must be alert to individual state differences in construction practices and state statutes. All activities of State Farm Company personnel must be in compliance with local laws and federal regulations. If there is a conflict between this material and local laws or federal regulations, the law shall control.

Administration Information

The Catastrophe Fire Independent Adjuster Estimatics Study Guide is designed to be a self-study aid. It provides information regarding particular State Farm estimating and pricing practices and procedures. The guide also includes exercises and answer keys so you can practice the estimating and pricing skills discussed in the text. The exercises may be photocopied as needed. A copy of the Catastrophe Fire Independent Adjuster Training Price List and the other study materials (pens, pencils, paper, etc.) are needed to complete this training.

Using the Price List

Information included in the Price List for each item:

• Category code Similar^ to^ a^ trade^ breakdown.
• Selector code Identifies^ a^ specific^ item within^ a^ category.^ For^ example, DRY is the category for drywall and 1/2 is the selector code for 1/2" drywall - hung, taped, floated, ready for paint.
• Activity Code This^ is^ a^ default^ code^ used^ by^ the computer^ software.^ The most common codes are "&" which means "remove and replace" and "+" which means "replace". Disregard this column for this training.
• Description Briefly^ describes^ the^ selector^ code^ (also^ called "line^ item").
• Unit Calculation The^ unit^ of^ measure^ (for^ example,^ SF^ stands^ for^ square^ feet).
• Replace The^ unit^ cost^ to^ replace^ only.
• Remove The^ unit^ cost^ to^ remove^ only.
• Reset The^ unit^ cost^ to^ detach,^ store^ on^ site,^ and^ reinstall.
• Remove & Replace The^ unit^ cost^ to^ remove^ an^ item^ and^ replace^ it^ with a^ new item.
• A more detailed description of materials
• A quality statement Building items vary in size and quality. The “Item Information” included in the Price List further defines the size and quality. Follow along in your Price List for the following example: Example 1 Assume a house was destroyed by fire. You need to replace a 4'-0" x 4'-6" double-hung wood window that has insulated glass, aluminum cladding on the outside and Low E treatment of the glass. (Underlined items are key items used in this exercise.) To find the category, selector code, and unit price for this window do the following:
• Start by looking in the Table of Contents by Category in the Price Book. Near the bottom of the list, is the code WDW which stands for "Windows - Wood". Since our window is a wood window, turn to WDW in the Price List. Note: To help you page through the Price List, category codes are tabbed.
• In the WDW category, look for the selector code that stands for a "double hung" window. Since double hung starts with a "d", begin by looking for codes starting with "d". Remember, the list is alphabetical by selector code. In this case, "D" does stand for "double hung". However, there are several codes for double hung windows.

• Next, look at the Item Information for WDW D. First, the size of a WDW D window is 10 - 15 SF. Our window is 4 x 4.5 or 18 SF and does not fall in this range. Greater than (>) and less than (<) symbols are added to a code to change the size it represents. ">" makes an item bigger, and "<" makes it smaller. Go down the list until you find the code "D>". The size range for D> is 16 - 21 SF. Our window is 18 SF and falls in that range. So far then, our code is WDW D>. Does this code have all the other window characteristics we need?
• Our window has insulated glass. The Item Information for WDW D> says it is a double glazed window. That is the same as insulated glass, so this code meets that criteria.
• Our window also has aluminum cladding. The Item Information for WDW D> has the cladding we seek, so this code continues to meet our criteria
• Our window has Low E treatment of the glass. The Item Information for WDW D> does not mention Low E treatment, so you can assume it does not have it. You must now look for a code that does include the Low E treatment cladding. Plus (+) and minus (-) signs are added to a code to change the quality it represents. "+" increases quality and "-" decreases quality. The code without a "+" or "-" is considered " average quality ". Example: LIT CHAN is an average grade chandelier. LIT CHAN+ is a high grade chandelier.
• Move up one level of quality by looking for a code that includes a "+" sign. Go to WDW D>+ and look at the Item Information for that window. It says it has Low E treatment. It also is the right size. WDW D>+ is the correct code.
• Since the house was destroyed by fire, you only need to replace the window (not remove and replace). Go to the "Replace" column to find the correct price. It is $424.. Note: A common and costly error is to remove and replace an item that should only be replaced. Things other than "+" or "-" can also change the quality. For example, adding an "H" to a trim code changes it to "hardwood," which generally increases the price. Suggestion: When you think you have the correct selector code, look at the Item Information for the code one grade above and the code one grade below to verify your selection as the best choice for the item being estimated. Some code Item Information descriptions are very similar and a little closer look may influence your decision.

Basic Estimating Considerations

Estimating is not an exact science. There are several approaches to scoping and estimating. Below are some of the scoping practices that we encourage.

Estimating Doors

One method of estimating doors, particularly in new construction, is to include the door and all related items in the room into which the door opens. Since you have already addressed all the damage to the door from the room into which it opens, you can ignore the door when you get to the room on the other side of the door. Door operations may include:

• Removing and replacing a door
• Painting a door (both sides if necessary)
• Staining and finishing a door (both sides if necessary)
• Detaching and resetting, or removing and replacing a lockset (or deadbolt)
• Painting an opening (both sides if necessary)
• Staining and finishing an opening (both sides if necessary) There are other methods of scoping damage to doors, but the one mentioned above works well.

Painting Around Openings and Trim

Professional painters seldom mask the perimeter of rooms when painting ceilings or mask floors when painting walls or ceilings. They do spread drop-cloths and protect furnishings, but seldom mask surfaces not to be painted. Likewise, they seldom mask around door openings or trim such as window casings, chair rail or baseboards. Therefore, without a reason to mask those items, do not allow such masking in estimates.

Estimating Trusses

A truss is made up of several parts:

• (^) Top chord Serves as a roof rafter.
• Bottom chord Serves as a ceiling joist. Note: The length of the bottom chord is the “span.”
• (^) Webbing Bracing that ties top and bottom chords together.
• Gussets Wood or metal plates that hold the pieces together at the joints. To determine the linear feet of trusses on a building, you need the following information:
• Span of a truss. The^ span^ of^ a^ truss is^ the^ length^ of^ its bottom^ chord.^ This^ is usually the width of the building the trusses are resting on.
• O.C. of the trusses. The^ on-center^ (o.c.)^ of^ the^ trusses^ is^ the^ distance^ from^ the centerline of one truss to the centerline of an adjacent truss. Common truss spacing is 24" o.c. (also called 2' o.c.).
• Length of the building. This^ does^ not^ include^ the^ roof^ overhang.^ It^ is^ the distance from end wall to end wall. Formula: [Length of building (in inches) / o.c. (in inches)] + 1 = # of trusses

of trusses × span of one truss = total LF of trusses

The slope of the truss is also important. The truss prices change for different slopes.

• Slope of the truss. Slope is the inches of vertical rise in the top chord of the truss in 12 inches of horizontal run.

Top Chord (^) Gussets Bottom Chord (length is the span of the truss) Top Chord (^) Gussets Bottom Chord (length is the span of the truss) As the slope increases, the pitch of the roof increases. It takes more lumber to build a truss with a greater slope because the top chords are longer and the trusses extend up higher. Therefore, as the truss slope increases, the truss cost increases. The following diagram shows the parts of a common "W" truss and “Gable-end” truss. T his i m ag e c ann ot c ur r ent l y be di s pl ay ed.

Parts of a Roof

These are the most common parts of a roof: Valley Ridge Flashing Rake Deck Dormer Eave

sawn so the shingles lay flat. Wood shakes come hand-split (or hand-split and re-sawn), taper split, or straight split. All “split” surfaces are rough. The hand-split and re-sawn shakes have a sawn or smooth back and a rough face. With a smooth back, they lay flatter than the other styles of shakes. Shakes come in random widths. Standard lengths are 18" and 24" inches. Shingles and shakes come four bundles to a square and are purchased by the bundle or square. Rigid roofing materials include, but are not limited to, shingles or tiles made of clay, aluminum, steel, copper, fiberglass, concrete, slate or plastic. Rigid roofing is sold by the piece, in bundles, and in squares. These products do not deteriorate easily and are more durable than the other roofing materials. Rigid products are also heavier and require more labor to install than wood or composition roofing.

Roofing Vents

One important part of all roofs not shown in the figure above is roof vents. There are several types, but all serve the same function. Roof vents allow heat and moisture to escape the attic. This increases the life of the roof by slowing deterioration from excessive heat and moisture in the attic. Three basic types of vents found on the roof are: Ridge Vent : Normally runs most of the length of the ridge. Roof Vent : Sometimes called a turtle vent, normally box-shaped and made of aluminum or vinyl. Several are usually installed on a back slope. Turbine Vent : These vents usually extend above the roof surface and include a turbine shaped set of louvers that spin when the wind blows.

A Cupola is a special type of vent seen most often in barns but occasionally on homes. Other types of roof vents include Power Ventilators which force air movement through an attic. Power vents are normally larger than roof vents and usually have a bubble-shaped cover. They have an electric motor and fan controlled by a thermostat in the attic. At a preset temperature, the thermostat turns the motor on and draws hot air out of the attic.

Exterior Finishes

Exterior finish products generally include exterior wall coverings, trim around doors and windows, soffit and fascia. Exterior finish products do not directly contribute to the structural integrity of the building. They provide a covering that protects the framing, insulation, and interior from weather. Exterior wall products also contribute to the appearance of the building. There are two categories of exterior finishes: masonry and non-masonry. Masonry products include brick veneer, stucco (true and synthetic), concrete block and stone (true and synthetic). Glass blocks also form an exterior finish for some window installations, and are installed by a brick mason. Common stone products include granite, sandstone, marble, slate and limestone. In some earlier construction, brick was not a veneer, but a structural part of walls and exterior finishes. Non-masonry products include wood, aluminum, vinyl, steel, vinyl clad and hardboard siding. Siding products are usually measured by the square foot and sold by the square (100 SF) or piece. Wood siding includes cedar shingles, plywood sheets, beveled or lap, drop, board and batten, reverse board and batten and a style of sheet called T1-11. Wood siding is very common, but is more vulnerable to deterioration than the other siding products. Wood siding requires periodic painting or staining to protect it cosmetically and structurally. Aluminum sheets or panels can be pressed or molded to provide almost any desired shape or look. Aluminum has a baked-on enamel factory finish and can provide an appearance that closely resembles painted wood siding. Aluminum siding requires little maintenance. Vinyl siding is made of a rigid polyvinyl-chloride (PVC) compound that is tough, durable, and economical. Vinyl siding is manufactured in various thicknesses with color added to the siding during the manufacturing process. Vinyl siding may be installed with a backer board. The backer board is an insulation board that may be attached directly to each sheet of vinyl. The backer enhances the rigidity and strength of the siding, and increases the R-value. Steel siding is more durable than vinyl, aluminum or vinyl-clad siding. Like aluminum siding, steel siding has a baked-on enamel factory finish. You can distinguish between steel and

Gutters

Gutters are the troughs attached to eaves to catch and divert water running off a roof. Guttering includes downspouts. Gutters can be made of aluminum, galvanized steel, vinyl, copper or wood. They are measured by the LF.

Insulation

Insulation is any material that resists the passage of heat into or out of a building. It surrounds living or work areas and foundations. It is installed in floors, walls, ceilings or attics. As a general rule, for any type of insulation, the thicker the insulation, the more it resists heat transfer. This resistance to heat transfer is called R-Value. There are many types of insulation. Rigid polystyrene is usually a white or blue board that varies in thickness and size. It is usually nailed or glued in place and used to insulate concrete footings and slabs, and concrete or concrete-block foundations or basement walls. Batt insulation is a roll of pre-cut pieces made to fit standard wall cavities. There are several types of batt insulation. Paper-(kraft) backed insulation has paper attached to the insulation on one side. The paper serves as a vapor barrier to keep moisture from traveling through the walls into the insulation. It also reduces air infiltration through the wall. If applied properly, this also keeps moisture from getting trapped in the insulation. Moisture trapped in the insulation reduces its R-Value. Foil-backed insulation has a metal foil attached to the insulation on one side. It functions as a moisture barrier in the same way as paper-backed. Additionally, the foil also tends to help reflect heat back into the room, reducing heat loss. Unfaced insulation (also called friction fit ) has no backing. It is used in walls. Because it has no backing, the inside wall surface is often covered with plastic to provide the vapor barrier. Blanket insulation is an uncut roll of insulation cut to length at the job site. It is used in walls and attics, and may or may not have a backing on it. Cellulose insulation is treated, ground-up newspaper that is blown into wall cavities and attics. It is normally gray in color. Shredded-styrene insulation is a white, Styrofoam-type material used primarily to fill cavities in masonry-block walls. Vermiculite insulation is a tan, Styrofoam-type material used primarily to fill cavities in masonry-block walls. Shredded-fiberglass insulation is blown into wall cavities and attics. It is normally white in color. Following are 9 exercises to complete as part of this guide. An answer key and Inch to Foot Conversion Chart follow the exercises.

Exercise 1 - Two questions Remove and replace 1/2"drywall on a ceiling. The ceiling has blown-acoustic (popcorn) texture.

1. What is (are) the category and selector code(s) for the drywall and acoustic texture?
2. What is (are) the unit price(s) for this repair? Exercise 2 - Two questions Remove and replace 1/2"drywall on a ceiling. The ceiling has orange-peel texture.
3. What is (are) the category and selector code(s) for the drywall and orange-peel texture?
4. What is (are) the unit price(s) for this repair? Exercise 3 - Two questions There is new drywall (1/2" hung, taped, floated, ready for paint) on the walls and ceiling.
5. What is (are) the category and selector code(s) for painting the walls?
6. What is (are) the unit price(s) for this repair?

Exercise 5 - Five questions Answer the following questions regarding the above roof:

1. How many squares of 220 # composition shingles would you remove from the entire roof?
2. What is the unit cost for removing a square of 220 # composition shingles?
3. How many squares of 220 # composition shingles would be required to replace the entire roof? Assume three bundles of shingles per square.
4. What is(are) the category code(s), selector code(s), and unit price(s) for replacing the roof?
5. What is the area of slope “A?”

Exercise 6 - Six questions Answer the following questions regarding the above roof:

1. How many squares of wood shingles would you remove from the entire roof?
2. What is the unit cost for removing a square of wood shingles?
3. How many squares of wood shingles would be required to replace the entire roof? Assume four bundles of shingles per square.
4. What is the category code, selector code, and unit price for replacing the wood shingles? A. Category code? B. Selector code? C. Unit price per square?
5. What is the area of slope “A?”
6. What is the area of slope “B?”

Exercise 8 - Ten questions

• Wall Height........................................ 8’ 0”
• Wall thickness........................................4”
• Exterior/perimeter doors ......... 3’0” x 6’8”
• Pantry and closet doors ........... 3’0” x 6’8”
• Patio door (family room, west end): 6’0” x 6’8”
• Kitchen to family room opening ................................... 3’0” x 6’8”
• Kitchen window ......................3’0” x 2’0”
• Family room windows ... 3’0” x 4’0” @ 2 ..6’0” x 5’0” @ 1 - Base trim does not surround the cabinets. - No hardwood floor under the cabinets. - Dashed lines in kitchen represent upper cabinets. The upper cabinets butt against the casing on the kitchen window. Upper cabinets are standard 1' depth. - Base cabinets are standard 2' deep. - The north wall of the kitchen is an interior wall. All other perimeter walls are exterior walls. - Exterior siding height is 9 ft.

1. How many SF of exterior wall studs?
2. How many SF of interior wall studs?
3. How many SF of exterior siding?
4. How many LF of baseboard in the kitchen and the pantry?
5. How many LF of upper cabinets in the kitchen?