Residential Reconstruction Report

Square footage on floors that are both above and below grade are considered multiple classes. Evaluate costs at the entirety of the square footage added to above grade as well as finished below grade to make a determination.

Total Square Footage Includes:

• All habitable spaces under the main roof
• Area below the roof and above grade
  • Grade is above or below the natural ground level
• Finished areas outside of the exterior wall but under the main roof
• Built in garages

Total Square Footage Does Not Include:

• Attached garages (add to Garage Square Footage)
• Detached garages (separate structures not included in cost assumptions)
• Basements
• Porches, decks, and balconies
• Attics or lofts

Many structures do not fall into a single description. If the property has potential for two distinct classes, evaluate each option separately. When substantially more details fall into one category description over another, it would be appropriate to choose the higher classification. If details are evenly split, the most weight should be given to elements that have the greatest cost.

Many structures do not fall into a single description. If the property has potential for two distinct classes, evaluate each option separately. When substantially more details fall into one category description over another, it would be appropriate to choose the higher classification. If details are evenly split, the most weight should be given to elements that have the greatest cost.

Single family detached homes vary widely in quality and it is the most significant factor in influencing costs. 

• Luxury is the most expensive commonly encountered quality 
• Minimum Standard meets the minimum required under most building codes. 
• Most homes built by residential developers or from standard house plans fall into Semi Luxury, Best Standard, or Average Standard. 

Kitchens, bathrooms, and flooring are good indicators of quality level. 

Examples of Luxury Quality:

• High end custom construction with premium materials throughout
• Complex roof designs
• Stone countertops, kitchen islands, deluxe cabinetry
• Custom bathrooms with spa tubs, tile showers, decorative tile
• Decorative ceilings, high end lighting, built in shelving, alcoves
• 12’ to 16’ ceiling in the great room
• Several skylights and windows
• Expensive finishes like hardwood or marble flooring
• Advanced electrical and security systems
• More bathrooms than bedrooms
• Significant recessed lighting
• Luxury built in appliances

Examples of Semi Luxury Quality:

• Upgraded design and finishes
• Multilevel designs or decorative roofing
• Marble or granite kitchen and custom cabinetry
• Large tile showers, good fixtures, wet bars, or pantries
• Decorative molding, framed openings, cathedral ceilings
• Good quality hardwood or carpet with tile accents
• Most rooms have windows on 2 sides
• Formal dining area
• More bathrooms than bedrooms
• Significant recessed lighting
• Some built in appliances

Examples of Best Standard:

• Solid construction with several upgrades from base grade homes
• Decorative roofing or multiple pitched roofs
• Tile or acrylic countertops with good stock cabinetry
• Hardwood or sheet vinyl floors
• Some wall offsets, better windows, a walk-in pantry or breakfast nook
• Multiple electrical outlets and decent fixtures
• Formal dining area
• As many bathrooms as bedrooms
• Recessed lighting

Examples of Standard Good:

• Common in many newer tract homes and well built standard houses
• Composition shingle roof, closed soffits, and wood frame construction
• Standard cabinets, acrylic countertops
• Bathrooms with average tubs and showers
• 8’ to 9’ ceilings and basic trim
• Good quality vinyl and carpet, some tile in kitchen or bathrooms
• Standard electrical outlets and switches
• Separate dining room
• Sliding glass or French door 
• Limited to no recessed lighting
• Laundry room

Examples of Standard Average

• Modest construction with mostly basic finishes and materials
• Composition roof shingles with open soffits
• Stock cabinets, low cost acrylic or laminated counters
• Basic plastic tub and shower combinations
• 8’ ceilings with standard trim
• Mostly carpet and vinyl flooring, minimal decorative features
• Standard lighting and electrical systems
• Less bathrooms than bedrooms
• Switch operated lighting fixtures attached to duplex plug outlets

Examples of Minimal Standard

• Meets basic building code requirements at time of construction
• Simple rectangular design with no elevation or roof complexity
• Laminated or plastic counters, limited cabinetry
• 8’ ceilings or less, little to no trim or decorative work
• Carpet or sheet vinyl throughout, minimum grade doors and windows
• Switch operated plug outlets in most rooms
• 2 bathrooms or less
   

The year your home was built may impact its value or insurance needs. This report can be used for the base construction costs and should be adjusted separately for unique features and building needs.

Year Built Cost Assumptions Include:

• Modern materials
• Current building codes
• Conventional building methods

Year Built Cost Assumptions Do Not Include:

• Historic homes
• Remodeled homes
• Rebuilding an older home to original specs

A basement is a level of the home that is mostly or fully below ground. It is not included in the total square footage estimate unless it is finished and predominantly above ground. 

Finished Basements:

• Fully or partially finished to create usable space
• Includes but is not limited to:
  • Drywall
  • Finished floors
  • Lighting
  • Heating
  • Rooms like bedrooms, bathrooms, family rooms, etc.
• Square footage includes the finished area in square feet

Unfinished Basements:

• Might be used for storage, mechanical systems, laundry, or utility spaces
• Does not include crawl spaces
• Reinforced concrete floors and concrete or concrete block walls
• Floor drain
• Open ceilings
• One switched light feature
• No plumbing, partitions, or windows

No Basement:

• Enter 0 in the basement square footage field

Basement Cost Assumptions Include:

• Normal soil conditions, 
• 7’ headroom

Exterior wall type refers to the main material used to build the outside wall of the home. 

Most single family detached homes are frame. Masonry is less common in residential homes unless older or custom built.

Cost Assumptions for Frame include:

• Wood frame with siding (vinyl, fiber cement, wood, etc.)
• Stucco over wood frame
• Brick veneer over wood frame
• Engineered wood or composite siding

Cost Assumptions for Masonry include:

• Solid brick construction
• Concrete block walls
• Stone walls
• Structural class tile walls

Number of stories refers to the number of full, above ground living levels in a homeStories Cost Assumptions include:

Number of stories refers to the number of full, above ground living levels in a home. 

Stories Cost Assumptions include:

• Finished level, fully above ground, generally with living space
• Mostly above ground even if it is partially below ground on one side

Stories do not include:

• Basements
• Attics or lofts

Special Cases:

• Bi-level, split entry, or raised ranch
  • The front door is between two levels including options to go up or down right after entry
  • The upper level is fully above ground and includes living space
  • The lower level may be partially below grade but often includes finished space
• Count as 1 story if the lower level is mostly below ground
• Count as 2 stories if both levels are mostly above grade

• Tri-level, split level:
  • Home as three staggered levels often connected by a short flight of stairs
  • Typically includes a main level, an upper level, and a lower level
  • The lowest level may be partially below grade
• Count as 2 stories if two levels are fully above grade
• Count as 3 stories if all three levels are mostly above ground

Number of corners refers to the number of outside angles of your home where exterior walls meet a corner. Homes with more corners are more complex to rebuild and require more cutting, framing, and finishing work.

• Homes with extra corners may have more architectural features
• Do not count interior corners or the interior of the garage
• Basic rectangle or square homes with 4 corners are the most affordable to build
• L shape homes generally have 6 corners and a more complex floorplan
• Multi story or split level homes should use the outer most exterior walls, including the garage area regardless of the story level
• 8 corners or more can be a sign of semi luxury or luxury home quality

A forced air system is a common way to heat or cool a home using air pushed through ducts and vents.

Forced Air System: 

• Furnace for heat and/or an air conditioner for cooling
• Blower fan that pushes the heated or cooler air through ductwork
• Air comes out from grilles or vents in the floors, walls, or ceilings
• A thermostat controls when the system turns on or off
•  

You do not have a forced air system if the following exist:

• Baseboard heaters
• Wall units or space heaters
• Radiators using how water or steam
• Radiant heating
•  

Forced Air Cost Assumptions:

• Wiring
• Minimal duct work

A garage is an enclosed space designed for storage of vehicles and other household items. 

Approximate Garage Sizes:

• 1 car garage: 200 - 300 sq ft
• 2 car garage: 400 - 600 sq ft
• 3 car garage: 600 - 900 sq ft
• Actual square footage required for oversized garages

Garage Cost Assumptions Include:

• Single story
• Shared roof with main structure
• 20’ shared wall with main structure
• Minor interior finishes
• One light per 300 sq ft 

Garage Cost Assumptions Do Not Include:

• Built in garages (add to Total Square Footage)
• Finished garages

Slope refers to how much land rises or falls over a certain distance. It impacts how a home is built, especially the foundation, drainage, and site preparation.

Costs can escalate significantly depending on topography and design.

0% to 10% Slope:

• Flat sites
• Gently sloping
• No special foundation or retaining walls usually needed

10% Slope of Greater:

• Slightly uphill or downhill
• Drainage might run in one direction
• May require stepped foundations, limited grading, or extra drainage

Slope Cost Assumptions Do Not Include:

• Very steep slopes
• Built into hillsides

Assumptions in Pricing for Normal Construction:

• Wall Heights: Costs are based on a standard 8 ft height. 
• Foundations: Costs are based on normal soil conditions given a fairly level construction site
• Plumbing: Costs are based on systems connected to a city water supply and sewer system

Not Included in Pricing:

• Fireplaces
• Standalone or built in appliances
• Homes raised on piles or columns
• Open or covered porches
• Decks
• Balconies
• Exterior stairways
• Electric vehicle charging station hookup
• Detached garages or carports
• Skylights
• Solar System
• Land
• Yard Improvements
• Fencing and gates
• Two or more residences sharing a common wall
• Finished attics or lofts
• Smart home systems
• Structures and features not associated with normal construction

Definitions:

• Acrylic (countertops or flooring): Solid surface made from plastic like material, often shiny and easy to clean
• Alcove: A small built in space in a wall, often used for decoration or storage
• Attached garage: A garage that shares a wall and roofing with the home and does not include living space above the garage
• Breakfast nook: A small dining area, usually next to the kitchen
• Built in garage: A garage that shares walls, floors, and/or ceilings with the rest of the home. It is located under the house or partially below a living area.
• Built in shelving: Storage shelves permanently attached to walls, not free standing furniture
• Cabinetry
  • Stock: Pre-made and mass produced; more affordable
  • Custom or deluxe: Made to fit the home, higher quality materials
• Cathedral ceiling: Tall, sloped ceiling that rises upward in sections of the home, often matching the shape or height of the roof
• Ceiling height: Standard height is 8’
• Complex roof design: A roof with several angles, peaks, or layers
• Composition shingles: Asphalt based roofing; common, affordable, and easy to replace
• Countertops:
  • Stone: Durable and natural such as granite or marble
  • Tile: Ceramic or porcelain squares, often decorative
  • Acrylic: Plastic like material, often shiny and easy to clean
  • Laminated: Thin plastic layer over wood or particleboard
• Decorative ceilings: Includes items of visual interest
• Detached garage: A stand alone structure that does not share a wall with the home. 
• Electrical system: Includes outlets, switches, lighting fixtures. Better systems have more outlets and recess lighting
• Elevation change: Floor levels or roofing levels might vary
• Finished trim: Wood around doors, windows, ceilings, or floors
• Framed openings: Spaces between rooms that are finished with trim or molding but without doors
• Fixtures: Permanent features like sinks, toilets, and lighting
• Kitchen island: Counter in the middle of the kitchen used for cooking or eating
• Molding: Another word for trim
• Soffits:
  • Open: Exposed roof overhang under eaves (roof edges)
  • Closed: Covered with material for a finished look
• Trim: Materials outlining doors, windows, ceilings, and floors
• Walk in: A small room or large cabinet with the ability to physically step inside
• Windows:
  • Standard: Rectangular or single paned
  • Upgraded: Better insulation, framed, or custom shapes

This reconstruction tool is provided in accordance with § 10-1-144, C.R.S. and is intended to help homeowner insurance policyholders of standard single family detached homes as defined in § 10-4-110.8(3)(c), C.R.S. better understand the potential costs to reconstruct a home after a loss. The estimates provided are informational only and are based in part on the inputs and accuracy provided by the policyholder. Consumers should not rely upon the estimates generated by this tool in making coverage or financial decisions.