Roofing Xactimate Supplements (RFG DRIP, RFG ASTR, RFG IWS): Photo Packet Checklist for IRC R905 Code Upgrades
Xactimate Codes: RFG DRIP, RFG ASTR, RFG IWS, RFG STEP | Standard: 2021 IRC §R905.2.8.5, §R905.1.2 & §R905.2.8.1 | Protected: +$3,650 per roof replacement
Technical Answer Summary (2021 IRC §R905.2.8.5, §R905.1.2 & §R905.2.8.1)
In Xactimate roof replacement estimates, field shingle line items (such as RFG 300 laminated architectural shingles) do NOT include metal drip edge (RFG DRIP), universal adhesive starter strip (RFG ASTR), eave ice barrier (RFG IWS), or step flashing (RFG STEP). Insurance adjusters regularly omit these four supplements on initial scopes—costing roofing contractors $2,800 to $5,200 per roof—or deny them post-install if the crew shingled over the deck without photographing bare eave/rake edges and soffit overhang depth. Capturing a structured 4-shot tear-off compliance sequence with a tape measure hooked to the eave fascia and interior wall line forces approval under International Residential Code (IRC) §R905.
Adjuster Denial Trap: Carriers denying Ice & Water Shield (RFG IWS), Drip Edge (RFG DRIP), and Universal Starter Strip (RFG ASTR) unless tear-off photos show bare wood decking, eave overhang measurement, and shingle manufacturer installation requirements.
3-Column Xactimate Denial Trigger vs. Field Photo Evidence Matrix
| Adjuster Denial Reason / Scrub Trigger | Required Field Photo & Meter Evidence (IICRC Standard) | Copy-Paste Xactimate F9 Note Justification |
|---|---|---|
| Adjuster omits or denies RFG DRIP (Drip Edge at Eaves & Rakes) | Close-up photo of eave and rake roof edge before and during tear-off + new L-metal drip edge installed under underlayment at eaves and over underlayment at rakes | Per 2021 IRC §R905.2.8.5, corrosion-resistant drip edge (RFG DRIP) is mandatory at all eaves and rakes of asphalt shingle roofs, extending minimum 2" back on roof deck and 1/4" below sheathing. |
| Carrier denies RFG IWS (Ice & Water Barrier) claiming only 1 row (3 ft) is needed instead of 2 rows (6 ft) | Tape measure photo showing 24-inch soffit overhang + calculation proving 24" inside warm exterior wall requires 54" total coverage (2 courses of 36" IWS) | Per IRC §R905.1.2, ice barrier must extend from the lowest edges of all roof surfaces to a point at least 24 inches inside the exterior wall line. With a 24" soffit overhang and 6/12 pitch, reaching 24" inside the warm wall requires 53.6" upslope—mandating 2 rows of 36" RFG IWS. |
| Reviewer claims starter strip (RFG ASTR) is included in Xactimate 10% shingle waste factor | Photo of factory adhesive starter strip along eaves AND rakes + shingle manufacturer wind-warranty spec sheet | Xactimate explicitly states that field shingle waste factors cover cut hip/valley/rake waste only and exclude starter course. Manufacturer 130-MPH wind warranty requires factory sealant-strip starter (RFG ASTR) along all eaves and rakes per IRC §R905.2.8.1. |
Copy-Paste Xactimate F9 Note Justification
F9 NOTE (RFG DRIP / RFG IWS / RFG ASTR / RFG STEP): Per 2021 International Residential Code (IRC) §R905.2.8.5 (Drip Edge), §R905.1.2 (Ice Barrier extending 24" inside warm wall line), and §R905.2.8.1 (Starter Strip), these components are mandatory building code and manufacturer warranty requirements that are explicitly excluded from Xactimate field shingle line item RFG 300. Attached VouchCam tear-off and installation photos verify bare deck substrate, soffit overhang measurements, and code-compliant installation.
Mandatory On-Site Field Photo Checklist
- Hard Gate #1: Eave & rake edge close-up showing pre-existing drip edge condition or bare wood fascia
- Hard Gate #2: Soffit overhang measurement with tape measure from exterior wall to fascia (for RFG IWS 2-row calculation)
- Hard Gate #3: Bare OSB/plank decking at eaves & valleys with Ice & Water Shield (RFG IWS) rolled out
- Hard Gate #4: Factory sealant starter strip (RFG ASTR) and new metal drip edge (RFG DRIP) fastened on deck
Frequently Asked Questions
Is starter strip (RFG ASTR) ever included in Xactimate shingle waste?
No. Verisk/Xactimate published documentation confirms that field shingle line items (RFG 240, RFG 300) do not include material or labor for starter courses. Furthermore, cutting 3-tab or laminate shingles for rakes leaves no sealant strip at the roof edge, voiding the manufacturer wind warranty.
How do you prove 2 rows of Ice & Water Shield (RFG IWS) are required by code?
IRC §R905.1.2 requires the ice barrier to reach 24 inches inside the exterior wall line. Whenever the soffit overhang is 12 inches or wider, a single 36-inch roll of Ice & Water Shield cannot reach 24 inches past the interior wall plane on pitched roofs—requiring 2 courses (72 inches) at all eaves.