What’s Missing in My Scope? (A Room-by-Room Checklist)

A detailed, accurate initial scope is the backbone of every successful restoration job. Yet, even the most experienced field technicians can overlook small but critical details that impact both profitability and client satisfaction. This article identifies what a good scope contains, and also provides a practical room-by-room checklist to help you capture essential information at every new job site.

Why a Scope Is More Than a List

A helpful scope isn’t just a list of tasks — it’s a narrative that answers a crucial question: Where, why and how much work needs to be done?

The Best Scopes Are Measurable, Specific and Backed by Clear Visuals.

They include square footage, linear footage, and numbers that describe amounts (like the number of cabinet doors affected or the number of fans to be set out). This level of detail not only supports accurate estimating, it also protects your business from disputes and missed revenue opportunities.

Effective scopes also include photos, videos and 360-degree scans.

These visuals don’t just document the “what” — they also show the “where” and “how much.” And the best way to capture good visuals is with a digital tool like magicplan. The magicplan app make it easy to sketch each affected room, and then attach visuals to exact locations within the sketch. That way, nothing gets lost in translation. (It’s also faster and more intuitive than handwriting a scope sheet and having to draw rough sketches.)

And remember: While photo documentation is important, videos and 360-degree scans are equally helpful in making sure your estimator doesn’t miss a detail. Just make sure each video or scan is thorough and well-composed, to create trust and transparency between you and the estimator.

Room-by-Room Checklist for Scoping Restoration Jobs

KITCHEN

What commonly gets missed:

Cabinet interiors, toe kicks, under-cabinet lighting, appliance connections, and hidden water damage behind or beneath cabinets. Technicians also often forget to count the number of cabinet doors and drawers affected, or to note the exact square footage of flooring or drywall removed.

Remember to:

o   record the number of upper and lower cabinet doors and drawers affected

o   measure and note the square footage of flooring and wall finishes removed or replaced

o   document appliance disconnections and needed reconnections to water and gas lines

o   check under-sink and behind-appliance areas for hidden damage, and document it

o   specify the linear footage of baseboards, countertops, and backsplashes impacted

BATHROOM

What commonly gets missed:
Behind-vanity water damage, subfloor issues, exhaust fan cleaning or replacement, and the number of fixtures (towel bars, mirrors, shelves) affected. It’s also easy to overlook the need for GFCI outlet upgrades or the square footage of tile removed.

Remember to:

o   count and describe all fixtures and accessories removed or replaced

o   note the square footage of tile, drywall, and flooring affected

o   check for and document subfloor or framing damage after demolition

o   record the type and location of each exhaust fan, lighting fixture, and GFCI outlet that needs attention

o   photograph before and after, including inside cabinets and under vanities

LIVING ROOM

What commonly gets missed:

Baseboards, crown molding, built-in shelving, and the number of electrical outlets or switches affected. Also, the number and placement of air movers or dehumidifiers that need to be set, as well as notes about the exact area of carpet and/or drywall removed.

Remember to:

o   photograph all four walls, ceiling, and floor — including close-ups of damage

o   measure and record the linear footage of affected baseboards, crown, and trim

o   count and describe all built-ins, shelving, and entertainment centers affected

o   specify the number and placement of fans, dehumidifiers, or other equipment that will be used

o   document the square footage of carpet, pad, and drywall removed or replaced

GARAGE

What commonly gets missed:

Ceiling and wall insulation, garage door mechanisms, storage racks, and electrical panels. It’s also common to overlook the need for code upgrades or to miss documenting the condition of concrete floors and expansion joints.

Remember to:

o   check and record the condition of insulation and vapor barriers

o   note the number and type of storage racks, shelving, or cabinets affected

o   document the location and condition of electrical panels, outlets and lighting

o   measure and describe the area of concrete floor affected, or wall areas where repairs are required

o   photograph garage doors, openers, and any mechanical systems affected

EXTERIOR

What commonly gets missed:

Soffits, fascia, gutters, downspouts, exterior lighting, and hidden water intrusion points. Also, the exact number of windows affected (ditto for doors and specific fixtures), and the specific the amount of siding, roofing, trim work that needs to be replaced.

Remember to:

o   count and describe all windows, doors, and exterior fixtures affected

o   measure and record the square footage of siding, roofing, or trim that must be replaced

o   document the condition of affected drainage-system components (gutters, downspouts)

o   photograph all elevations, including close-ups of damage

o   note any code upgrades or accessibility improvements that need to be made

What Makes a Scope Truly Helpful?

Wording that is clear and specific.

So, try to avoid vague entries like “remove lower portion of drywall.” Instead, write specific instructions, such as “Remove 36 SF drywall from west wall, 2 ft up.”

Again, the main thing to remember is to always include square footage, linear footage, and numbers that describe amounts. These numbers are crucial for accurately estimating restoration work — whether it’s water damage mitigation and restoration, fire restoration, or some other type of project.

Essentially, you need to use “a restoration estimator mindset”: be aware of the exact information your estimator needs, and then be sure to provide it. That’s a winning way to create a scope that is truly helpful.

Wrap-Up

A detailed, room-by-room initial scope is an important part of claims documentation – and it’s your best defense against missed revenue, disputes, and delays. By gathering ALL relevant information at each new job site — while leveraging a proven tool like magicplan to optimize your workflow — you can ensure your documentation is complete, accurate, and easy for estimators to trust.

RESTORATION BUSINESS OWNERS & MANAGERS:

If you’re responsible for training field technicians, learn how YOU can help them create better scopes.