Reconstruction
The rebuild phase of restoration: drywall, flooring, paint and cabinetry, after mitigation is complete.
Reconstruction is the rebuild phase: putting back what mitigation took out. Insulation, drywall, texture, paint, trim, flooring, cabinets, countertops, and whatever else came out to dry or clean the structure.
Where the line sits
Mitigation stops the damage and dries or removes the affected materials. Reconstruction restores the property to pre-loss condition. That handoff is a real boundary in the claim, not just a scheduling one. Mitigation and reconstruction are frequently written as separate estimates, sometimes reviewed by different adjusters, and sometimes performed by different companies. Getting the mitigation scope documented tightly matters because it defines what reconstruction is entitled to put back.
What makes it different from mitigation work
- It is a construction schedule. Trades, lead times, permits, and inspections, not a three-day dry-out with daily readings.
- Selections drive delays. Waiting on the homeowner to pick tile is one of the most common reasons a rebuild sits.
- Coverage questions get sharper. Matching, code upgrades, and betterment all surface here, since the argument is about what gets installed rather than what gets removed.
- Depreciation is visible. Recoverable depreciation on the rebuild is usually released after the work is completed and documented.
How it shows up on an estimate
Line by line and room by room, priced at the carrier's regional rates, typically with overhead and profit at stake when enough trades are involved to require general contractor coordination. Change orders and supplements are normal here, because concealed damage rarely reveals itself until demo is done.
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Wave Intelligence
Wave's estimating intelligence: the part of the product that understands the context of a job, such as residential or commercial and the type of loss, and shapes the estimate the way an experienced estimator would.
Actual Cash Value (ACV)
The depreciated value of damaged property: replacement cost minus depreciation for age and wear.
Additional Living Expenses
Coverage for lodging, meals, and other costs when a home is uninhabitable during restoration.