What a homeowners claim appraiser actually does
An appraiser is not a negotiator and not an advocate in the courtroom sense. Under a Texas homeowners policy the appraiser's job is narrow and specific: determine the amount of loss. That means inspecting the property, measuring and photographing the damage, pricing the repair with a defensible estimate, then meeting the carrier's appraiser to compare numbers line by line.
Where the two appraisers agree, that number becomes the award. Where they do not, the disputed items go to the umpire the appraisers selected together, and any two of the three sign an award that binds both sides as to the amount of loss.
Because the award is binding, who you appoint matters. A carrier's appraiser will arrive with a complete, software-priced estimate and a clear position on every line item. Your appraiser needs to be able to do the same, and to explain the difference in plain terms to an umpire who may be a contractor, engineer or retired adjuster.
Residential losses we appraise
- Roof claims: hail, wind, and the recurring argument over repair versus replacement, matching, and code upgrades.
- Water and plumbing losses: slab leaks, supply-line failures, drying, demolition and rebuild scope.
- Hurricane and windstorm: roof, siding, windows, fences, interior water intrusion and contents.
- Fire and smoke: structure, cleaning and deodorizing, contents, and additional living expense documentation.
- Freeze and burst-pipe events: widespread interior damage with scope disputes across many rooms.
- Condominium and tenant policies: unit-owner responsibility lines and contents valuation.
Qualified under the 2027 Texas appraisal rules
Beginning with residential policies issued or renewed on or after March 1, 2027, Texas rule 28 TAC ยง5.9804 requires any appraiser on a dwelling loss to be competent by training or experience, independent of both parties, disinterested in the outcome, and either a licensed adjuster or public adjuster with experience estimating residential losses, an engineer or architect, or someone with trade experience in the type of repair at issue.
Our appraiser is a Texas-licensed public adjuster (license #3356839) with day-to-day experience writing residential estimates. We do not serve as appraiser on any claim where Rise Public Adjusting acted as the public adjuster, and our fee is never tied to the size of the award. Both are necessary for the independence the rule requires, and both are the reason an umpire takes our numbers seriously.
Appraisal decides the amount of loss. It does not decide whether something is covered. If the carrier has denied the claim outright, appraisal is usually not the right tool and we will tell you so on the first call.
How a homeowners appraisal usually runs
- Review. We read the policy's appraisal clause, the carrier's estimate and any denial or partial-payment letters, and confirm appraisal fits the dispute.
- Demand. You (or we, on your instruction) send a written appraisal demand naming your appraiser. The carrier then names its own.
- Inspection and estimate. We inspect, document and price the loss independently.
- Appraiser conference. We meet the carrier's appraiser, agree what we can and isolate what remains in dispute.
- Umpire. If needed, the appraisers select an umpire and present the remaining differences.
- Award. Two signatures create a binding amount of loss. The carrier pays the award, less any deductible and prior payments, subject to the policy's terms.
Joseph DittmanAppraiser and licensed Texas public adjuster (Texas public adjuster license #3356839). Joseph serves as policyholder-appointed appraiser and as umpire on property losses across Texas. About