Steep & High Roof Documentation
Field procedure for documenting steep-slope and high-access roofing work: pitch verification, safety staging evidence, and line items that carriers omit on desk-reviewed estimates.
Claims Ninja Operations
Purpose
Capture pitch and access evidence on site so steep and high labor modifiers survive desk review — the most commonly omitted roofing line items on aerial and remote estimates.
When to use
Any plane measures 7/12 pitch or greater
Signal: Pitch gauge reading or measurement report steep flag
Two-story or greater eave height on affected slopes
Signal: Ground-to-eave measurement exceeds one-story threshold
Carrier estimate lacks steep/high modifiers
Signal: Estimate review flags pitch without corresponding charges
Zero-lot-line or limited staging access
Signal: Dump location, ladder setup, or equipment requires extra labor
Required documentation
Pitch gauge photo per steep plane
Readable gauge at eave or ridge; include date and elevation in filename.
Wide elevation showing roof height and slope
Ground-level shot showing full wall height to ridge.
Photos of staging, ladder setup, or equipment constraints
Support high charge and labor difficulty on multi-story or tight lots.
Measurement report pitch table excerpt
Highlight planes where report pitch exceeds carrier sketch defaults.
Step-by-step process
- 1
Measure and record pitch on every plane
Field- Use digital pitch gauge at eave on each slope — not guess from ground.
- Record pitch as rise/run (e.g., 9/12) on field sketch or CRM form.
- Photograph gauge reading with elevation context in frame.
- Flag any plane at 7/12+ for steep charge and 10/12+ for second steep tier per pricelist.
- 2
Document eave height for high charges
Field- Measure eave height from grade on two-story and multi-story elevations.
- Photograph wide shot showing full height with reference (ladder, story count).
- Note zero-lot-line, fence, or pool constraints affecting staging.
- 3
Align documentation to Xactimate modifiers
Field- Cross-check pitch breakpoints in current pricelist (typically 7/12 and 10/12).
- Confirm which squares fall in steep vs. super-steep categories.
- Match high charge to story count thresholds in estimate software.
- Hand off pitch table and photos to supplement coordinator same day.
Misaligned pitch tiers are an easy partial-approval fix if documented early.
- 4
Stage for adjuster or reinspection
Field- Leave pitch gauge available for adjuster demonstration on visit.
- Prepare one-page pitch summary by elevation for roof walk.
- Duplicate adjuster angle if they photograph pitch during visit.
Quality gates
Pitch recorded for every plane on scope — not sample only
Gauge photos readable without enhancement
Eave height documented on multi-story affected elevations
Pitch evidence uploaded before shingle install completes
Common mistakes
| Mistake | Impact | Correction |
|---|---|---|
| Relying on aerial pitch without field verification | Aerial models smooth pitch; steep charges denied on 8/12+ planes. | Field gauge reading required on every steep supplement file. |
| Applying steep charge to entire roof when only one plane qualifies | Overreach triggers credibility loss; entire steep request denied. | Allocate steep squares per plane using measurement report facets. |
| No height evidence on two-story jobs | High charge omitted when adjuster never accessed site. | Wide elevation photo plus eave height measurement. |
| Pitch photos taken after install — gauge not visible | Cannot prove slope at supplement review. | Capture during inspection or tear-off before coverage. |
Relying on aerial pitch without field verification
Impact: Aerial models smooth pitch; steep charges denied on 8/12+ planes.
Correction: Field gauge reading required on every steep supplement file.
Applying steep charge to entire roof when only one plane qualifies
Impact: Overreach triggers credibility loss; entire steep request denied.
Correction: Allocate steep squares per plane using measurement report facets.
No height evidence on two-story jobs
Impact: High charge omitted when adjuster never accessed site.
Correction: Wide elevation photo plus eave height measurement.
Pitch photos taken after install — gauge not visible
Impact: Cannot prove slope at supplement review.
Correction: Capture during inspection or tear-off before coverage.
Supplement opportunities
Planes at 7/12 to 9/12 without steep modifier
Gauge photos + measurement facet pitch table
Line item hint: Steep charge per qualifying square
Planes at 10/12+ without super-steep tier
Gauge photos at steepest plane; safety staging photos
Line item hint: Super-steep or second steep breakpoint per pricelist
Two-story eave height without high charge
Elevation wide shot + height measurement from grade
Line item hint: High charge per story threshold
Tight access requiring extra labor for tear-off and haul-off
Staging constraint photos with narrative in supplement
Line item hint: Additional labor hours or equipment line per local pricelist
Related resources
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FAQ
Solutions
FAQ
Common questions
Quick answers related to this procedure.
Carriers expect photos of all slopes and damage, accurate measurements, line items aligned to how the roof was built, and code-related accessories where applicable. Supplement opportunities often hinge on drip edge, ice and water shield, ventilation, steep charges, and waste factors documented clearly.
Accurate measurements anchor defensible quantity arguments. Waste, pitch, and cut-up factors should reflect actual roof geometry — not generic defaults. We compare carrier quantities to field documentation and flag gaps worth pursuing.
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