When Should Law Firms Bring in an Estimator After a Disaster?
After a hurricane, flood, or fire devastates a property, one of the first calls most people make is to their insurance company. But for law firms handling the aftermath, there’s another expert who needs to be looped in—fast: a qualified damage estimator who knows how to support litigation.
Waiting too long to bring in a forensic appraiser can mean losing access to crucial evidence, falling behind in negotiations, or even weakening your case in court.
So when should law firms bring in an estimator? The short answer: immediately.
Here’s why.
1. Damage Changes Quickly After a Disaster
Debris gets removed. Roofs get tarped. Mold starts to spread. Contractors walk the site. By the time litigation begins, the property may look completely different, and you’ve lost your strongest visual evidence.
Early estimating allows you to:
Capture undisturbed structural and material damage
Document moisture, smoke, or wind intrusion before cleanup
Photograph site conditions before contractors alter anything
Preserve time-stamped imagery for court or mediation
Remember: What you see on day 1 will not be there on day 14.
2. “Have You Testified or Provided Affidavits in Litigation Before?”
Before filing a lawsuit or entering mediation, you’ll need to know the true value of the loss—not just what the insurance company says.
A reliable estimate helps:
Determine whether the case is worth pursuing
Structure the initial complaint or demand letter
Anchor your negotiation position
Justify expert opinions on causation or scope
Pro tip: Bringing in an estimator early often reduces the need for last-minute trial prep or eleventh-hour supplementing.
3. You Need an Appraisal Expert Who Can Grow With the Case
Many law firms rely on public adjuster estimates at first, only to realize too late that the report won’t hold up in court. If the case escalates, you’ll need an expert who can defend the work—not disappear when it’s time to testify.
By bringing in a litigation-focused estimator early, you get:
Reports built for legal use, not insurance
Affidavits or declarations for early motions
Expert availability for deposition or testimony
Credibility from day one
Red flag: If your estimator says, “I don’t do court,” you’re using the wrong expert.
4. You Can Use Early Estimates to Pressure Opposing Counsel
When you submit a clear, detailed, third-party estimate before discovery even begins, you put the other side on notice—and in a weaker position.
Early documentation can:
Accelerate settlement talks
Undermine lowball insurer estimates
Discourage frivolous defenses
Make mediation more productive
Litigation is leverage. A defensible estimate gives you more of it.
5. The Best Estimators Book Up Fast Post-Storm
After a major storm, qualified experts are in high demand. Waiting too long can leave you stuck with a slow, inexperienced, or unqualified estimator—or worse, one who primarily works with insurers.
The best time to call is before your competition does.
If you’ve worked with a trusted appraiser before, get them on standby before storm season even begins.
So, When Should You Call?
Immediately after the damage is reported? Yes.
While preparing the demand letter? Definitely.
When filing suit or entering discovery? Ideally, you already have the report.
Right before mediation or trial? It’s better than never—but not ideal.
Law firms should treat forensic estimators like they do investigators or expert witnesses: part of the legal team, not an afterthought. The earlier you involve a trusted appraiser, the stronger your foundation for litigation, negotiation, and trial.
At On Point Estimating & Appraisals, we specialize in disaster estimating exclusively for attorneys. Our reports are built for court, and our team is ready to deploy within 24–48 hours of any major event across South Florida.