The most common roofing supplement line items fall into seven categories: drip edge, ice and water shield, starter shingles, ridge cap, step flashing, counter flashing, and code-required upgrades. Adjusters omit these because they rush the initial inspection, assume items are included in a system price, or rely on outdated software templates that do not reflect current building codes. When you catch them early and document each with photos, measurements, and code references, your supplement approval rate climbs and your change-order headaches disappear.
Why adjusters leave line items off the estimate
Initial inspections happen under time pressure. An adjuster may spend fifteen minutes on a roof, snap a handful of photos, and rely on an estimating platform's default assembly to generate the scope. Default assemblies rarely include every transition detail, and many carriers discourage line-by-line documentation to speed claim closure. The result is an estimate that covers shingles and underlayment but skips the accessories and flashing details that account for twenty to thirty percent of your actual material and labor cost. This is informational context, not a statement of any carrier's internal policy.
Drip edge: measure every eave and rake
Drip edge protects fascia and directs water into the gutter. Most building codes require it along eaves, and many jurisdictions also mandate it on rakes. Adjusters often assume it is included in a system price or omit the rake footage altogether. To document drip edge, photograph each eave corner and rake transition, measure the linear footage with a rolling tape or laser, and note the profile type—typically a D-style or L-style metal. Include a reference to the local building code section if your jurisdiction requires both eave and rake installation. When you submit the supplement, list eave and rake separately so the carrier can verify the footage against their own roof-cut measurement.
Ice and water shield: verify the code-required coverage area
Ice and water shield is a self-adhering membrane installed in valleys, along eaves, and around penetrations. The International Residential Code specifies coverage in areas where the January daily average temperature is below a certain threshold, and many local amendments expand the requirement to two rows or valley coverage regardless of climate. Adjusters frequently allow only one row of eave protection or skip valley coverage. Photograph the eave edge with a tape measure showing the width of coverage required by code, and capture each valley from multiple angles. Reference the IRC section or local amendment in your supplement notes, and list ice and water shield by square footage or roll count rather than a vague