MODULE 3: PROTOCOLS & ESTIMATES

Reading Protocols

Lesson 3.1 - The Billing Blueprint: Mold Edition

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The Billing Blueprint

The Protocol is Your Bible

In mold remediation, you don't decide what work to do.
The protocol does.

Every line item on your estimate needs to trace back
to something in that protocol.

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The Billing Blueprint

Standard Protocol Structure

Header - Property address, dates, inspector info
Background/Findings - What was found, moisture levels
Affected Areas - Exact locations and extent
Remediation Procedures - THE GOLDMINE
Containment Requirements - Barrier specs, negative air
Removal Specifications - What to remove, how far
Clearance Criteria - What passes clearance

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The Key: Look for Action Verbs

            Every action mentioned is potentially billable work.

            Establish containment → Containment line items

            Remove drywall → Demolition + disposal

            HEPA vacuum → Equipment + labor by SF

            Apply antimicrobial → Treatment by SF

            Wear appropriate PPE → Suits, respirators, etc.

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Example Protocol Translation

            Protocol says:

            "Establish full containment using minimum 6-mil poly. Include decontamination chamber at entry point. Maintain negative pressure using HEPA-filtered negative air machine exhausted to exterior."

Poly Sheeting

by SF

Setup Labor

containment

Decon Chamber

construction

Neg Air Setup

+ daily rental

Ducting

by LF

One paragraph = 5+ line items

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Systematic Translation Process

Step 1: List every action verb in the protocol
Step 2: Match each action to Xactimate line items
Step 3: Calculate quantities from specifications
Step 4: Add supporting items (equipment, PPE, disposal)

                Create a cheat sheet of common translations. After a few jobs, it becomes automatic.
            

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Common Protocol Translations

"HEPA vacuum all surfaces" → Equipment + Labor by SF (walls+ceiling+floor)
"Establish containment with negative air" → Poly + Setup + NAM + Ducting
"Remove and dispose" → Demo + Bagging + Haul-off + Fees
"Apply antimicrobial" → Application by SF + Product
"Workers shall wear PPE" → Suits + Respirators + Cartridges + Gloves

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The Billing Blueprint

When You Discover More Mold

Step 1: STOP work in that area
Step 2: Document what you found (photos, measurements)
Step 3: Contact the IEP who wrote the protocol
Step 4: Get protocol amendment IN WRITING
Step 5: Now proceed and bill according to amendment

No amendment = No payment for that work

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Why Amendments Matter

You do extra work without amendment...

Adjuster says: "This wasn't in the protocol. Denied."

Without third-party verification that work was necessary,
you're asking insurance to take your word for it.

They won't.

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Key Takeaways

Protocol defines your scope - learn the standard structure
Identify billable scope by looking for action verbs
Each verb = potential line items
Translate systematically: actions → line items → quantities
Discovery beyond protocol = STOP → Document → Get amendment

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Coming Up Next

Lesson 3.2: Working Within Limits

When protocol exceeds coverage limit
Prioritization strategies
Customer payment options
The coverage limit conversation

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MODULE 3: PROTOCOLS & ESTIMATES

End of Lesson 3.1

Reading Protocols

Action Item: Get a recent protocol. Highlight every action verb. List corresponding line items.

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