-
Laptop $500 up to $800 (Any new laptop on
the market today has wireless internet capabilities and RAM enough to
run the programs necessary) Most adjusters trade laptops every 2 years
at least. Do not overspend (Toshiba,
Compaq, and
Dell all have models in this price
range which field tested well)
-
Digital Camera $100 - $300 Any
digital camera should work for you. (Olympus
has always worked well in field test)
-
Scanner/Copier/Printer $100 Lexmark
5400 can be found at any Walmart, Best Buy, or Office Depot. You
will need it for scanning basically since most files are paperless.
-
Mapping Program $129 -
Delorme is the most popular with adjusters especially with GPS
capability. Recommended
-
12' Aluminum Ladder (folding type) $120 - Some adjusters
prefer the 16'; however, they get heavy during the a long day. (Stay
away from wood folding ladders - too heavy)
-
Estimating Program Xactimate
$125 per month - 1 year minimum agreement. Many adjusters don't like
Xactimate, but approximately 80% of all Carriers use Xactimate.
-
Tape Measure
FAT MAX 35' -
$35 Recommended
Some adjusters like the 25' or 30' tapes, but you will find that the 35'
is best even though is larger and heavier (Carry a spare)
-
Cougar Paws -
$125 These roofing shoes can save your life. Order them online only.
Recommended
-
Half Gloves - $5-$20 - Roofs are hot and require with
many being steep. Half gloves will enable you to climb these roofs with
more confidence and preventing you from burning your hands.
Weightlifter, Baseball or Bicycle gloves can be found in any
Walmart.
Recommended
-
Clipboard(s) & Office Supplies. $100 You should have at
least (2) clipboards and a small amount of supplies.
Office Depot has been found
have the best pricing. (use Paper
Mate Sharpwriter Pencils)
-
Clothing $300 - Carriers require Docker style pants
(wrinkle free) and nice collared shirts (underwear and socks).
Dillard's brand are inexpensive.
Try to keep at least 1 weeks worth of clothes.
-
Rain Gear - $20- $50 - Find a rain poncho or giant
umbrella in order to work in the rain. Don't lose production in a Wind
Storm.
-
Mobile Phone $100 per month - Many companies have great
plans and service available. Try to stay with one that will allow you to
adjust your minutes in the middle of a storm or will allow a plan change
should work become slope. Sprint is good
about this.
-
High Speed Internet Connection $40-$60 month. Most
hotels have high speed connections or you can drive to hot spots, but
there is no guarantee that you will find one in a storm.
Verizon and
Sprint offer wireless cards with
slower speeds which should be considered. Great if you are busy.
-
Fax
E-Fax $12 month - Many adjusters prefer the
convenience of having all the faxes show up in your personal email box
rather than a physical fax machine.
Recommended
-
Bank Cards $5,000 minimum & Up.
REQUIRED - Most do not
understand the cost associated with CAT adjusting and do not plan. It is
easy to run through this amount in your first month and does not include
HOME expenses.
-
Home Expenses $4,000- $10,000 months) depends on your
financial obligations. Some Independent companies will advance you up to
$2,000 every 2 weeks. However, this will not pay your credit card and
your home expenses. You must plan ahead.
-
Training Expenses. $1,000 - $3,000 Annually. Expect to
spend this amount to maintain your State Adjusting License with CE
Credits. Also, if you plan to be successful, plan on educating yourself
since IA companies rarely provide training without a fee.
-
Dependable Vehicle. $3,500 - $30,000. You can spend as
much or as little as stated above on a clean presentable
vehicle. The tax advantages are the same for any price
car on mileage; therefore, the less you spend the more advantage mileage
becomes.
-
Licensing $250-$1,000 - Many CAT
adjusters work off of temporary licenses; however, any serious person
desiring to stay in this business will obtain a State License from their
home state or a state like Texas where there is reciprocity throughout
the U.S. The cost will vary as to cost of the course and travel/hotel
expenses.
