Second Opinion on Your Adjuster’s Estimate in Houston
Already have an estimate from an insurance company, a contractor or a mitigation company, and want an independent look at the repair? I’m Benny Mancillas. I walk the property, document what’s there and write my own itemized Xactimate estimate that you can compare against the other one. Start with a free review: text me the adjuster’s estimate and your photos.
Free review of your adjuster’s estimate
Send me the adjuster’s estimate and your photos. I’ll look it over for free and tell you what may be missing, like rooms, materials or repair steps that don’t seem to be included. The free review is a look-over, not a written estimate, and it doesn’t promise any change to your claim.
If you want a full written estimate of your own, that’s the paid service, and it always starts with an on-site walkthrough. See how pricing works.
Do I have to accept the adjuster’s estimate?
No. The adjuster’s estimate is the insurance company’s figure for the repair, not the final word. You can get your own independent repair estimate and share it with your insurance company or your contractor.
This isn’t legal advice. I’m not a public adjuster, and I don’t negotiate with your insurance company or represent you. If you want someone to represent you on the claim, you can contact a licensed public adjuster or an attorney.
Adjuster’s estimate too low or missing repairs?
When you disagree with the adjuster’s estimate, the most useful thing is a clear, room-by-room description of the repair. My estimate lists what I measured and documented at the property, with labeled photos and a Matterport 3D scan, so you can see exactly where the two estimates differ instead of comparing only totals. I can’t promise what a claim will pay.
Why adjuster estimates miss things
Adjusters often carry heavy caseloads, especially after big storms, and may have limited time at each property. In that time, some items are easy to miss: hidden water damage inside walls or under flooring, matching materials so repaired areas blend with the rest of the room, contents that need to be moved or replaced, code-required items, demolition and haul-off, and repairs tied to drying out the house.
The adjuster works for the insurance company. An independent estimate documents the full repair scope for you, room by room, so you have your own record to share with your insurer or contractor.
The insurance company sent its own preferred contractor. Do I have to use them?
Some insurance companies refer preferred or program contractors who work under pricing agreements with the carrier. In Texas, the homeowner generally chooses who repairs their home. This isn’t legal advice, so check your policy for the details.
An independent estimate lets you compare the program contractor’s scope and pricing against a full, documented repair scope before you agree to anything.
What a second-opinion estimate is
A second-opinion estimate from me is a separate, complete repair estimate based on my own walkthrough of the property. It isn’t a markup of someone else’s paperwork, and it isn’t a ruling on whether another estimate is right or wrong. It’s a second description of the repair, prepared independently, with labeled photos and a Matterport scan behind it, so you can compare the two scopes item by item.
Most people looking for an insurance estimate second opinion want to understand the repair: what’s included, what each line means and why two estimates come out differently. A documented scope gives you specific questions to ask instead of just two totals.
What I don’t do
I’m not a public adjuster or an insurance adjuster. I don’t negotiate with insurance companies, contact them on your behalf, interpret your policy or tell you what you’re owed. I can’t promise that a second estimate will change a claim decision or a payment. I also don’t do repairs or mitigation myself, so I’m not bidding on the work.
What you do with my estimate is up to you. Questions about coverage or claim decisions belong with your insurance company or a licensed professional.
How the visit works
Every written estimate starts on site; the free review is only a look-over of the adjuster’s estimate and photos. When we set up the visit, you can share the other estimate so I know which areas you have questions about. I write my scope from what I document at the property.
At the walkthrough I measure the affected rooms, note materials and finishes, and record how damaged areas connect to cabinets, fixtures, doorways and continuous flooring. I also note anything that has to be moved or protected to do the work. The photos are labeled by room and condition, and the Matterport scan keeps a 3D record of the property as I found it.
How to compare two estimates
The total is the least useful place to start. Compare room by room. Are the same rooms included? Do the quantities, like square feet of drywall, linear feet of baseboard and square yards of flooring, describe the same area? Is an item written as remove and replace in one estimate and detach and reset in the other? Are supporting tasks such as moving contents, floor protection or access to cabinets and appliances described?
Differences can have ordinary explanations: different assumptions, different access on inspection day, conditions that changed because demolition or repairs started, or a different pricing date. My estimate separates what I observed from what I assumed, so the reason behind a difference is easier to see.
Who asks for a second opinion
Homeowners who want their own independent description of the repair. You don’t need a contractor to hire me.
Restoration and mitigation contractors, roofers and general contractors who want an outside, documented scope before committing to a project or planning the rebuild.
Second opinion or supplement?
If you already have an Xactimate estimate and want only the supported differences written up, that’s my supplement writing and scope review service. If you want a full, independent estimate of your own to compare, that’s this service. Not sure which you need? Tell me what you have, and we’ll sort it out before I come out.
Pricing, service area and hours
Pricing is the same as every estimate. The fee is based on my estimating work, not on any claim result. See pricing.
I serve Houston and the surrounding metro, including Katy, Cypress, Spring, The Woodlands, Sugar Land, Pearland, Pasadena, Baytown, La Porte, Deer Park, Seabrook, Kemah, Nassau Bay, Shoreacres, Morgan’s Point, Humble and League City. Visits take place at your property, not an office. Hours are Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM Central. Spanish is available.
Questions about second-opinion estimates
Will a second-opinion estimate change what my insurance pays?
I can’t promise that, and I don’t try to. I document the property and price the repair work. I don’t negotiate claims or influence coverage decisions, and the result of any claim isn’t something I control.
Can you review the adjuster’s estimate for free?
Yes. Send me the adjuster’s estimate and your photos. I’ll look it over for free and tell you what may be missing. A full written estimate is the paid service and starts with an on-site walkthrough.
Do I have to accept the adjuster’s estimate?
No. The adjuster’s estimate is the insurance company’s figure, not the final word. You can get your own independent repair estimate and share it with your insurer or contractor. This isn’t legal advice; if you want representation, contact a licensed public adjuster or an attorney.
The insurance company sent its own preferred contractor. Do I have to use them?
In Texas, the homeowner generally chooses who repairs their home. This isn’t legal advice; check your policy. An independent estimate lets you compare the program contractor’s scope and pricing against a full documented scope before you agree.
What if I disagree with the adjuster’s estimate?
Start by comparing the estimates room by room. An independent estimate gives you a documented description of the repair to share with your insurance company. I don’t negotiate for you or promise a payout.
Do I have to give you the other estimate?
No, but it helps. It shows me which areas you have questions about. My estimate is still based on what I document at the property.
Will you talk to my insurance adjuster for me?
No. I don’t represent you with your insurance company or negotiate on your behalf. You receive the estimate and supporting documentation and decide how to use them.
What if repairs or demolition have already started?
Tell me when you call. I document what’s visible at the time of the walkthrough and note areas that were already removed, repaired or couldn’t be accessed.
How much does a second-opinion estimate cost?
The same as any estimate. The fee, any deposit and any travel fee are explained on the How pricing works page.
Request a second-opinion walkthrough
Call or text Benny Mancillas at 346-680-8880, Monday–Friday, 8 AM–5 PM Central, with the property address, what happened, where the project stands and what estimate you already have. You can also send an inquiry. I will confirm the address is in my service area and walk you through the next steps before anything is scheduled.
Free review of your carrier or adjuster estimate
Upload the estimate you received and I’ll look it over for free and tell you what might be missing. A full written Xactimate estimate is a separate, paid service.