The depreciation method used here
The calculator applies straight-line depreciation — age divided by expected life — and stops at the cap you choose. Real estimates may adjust for condition, use different life tables or leave items such as permits and debris removal undepreciated, so treat the result as a planning figure.
Life expectancies you’ll often see
| Item | Common range |
|---|---|
| Laminated asphalt shingles | 25–30 years |
| Steel or aluminum siding | 35–50 years |
| Vinyl siding | 30–40 years |
| Interior paint | 8–12 years |
| Carpet and pad | 8–12 years |
| Gas furnace | 15–20 years |
Getting the holdback released
Most replacement-cost policies release recoverable depreciation after the work is completed within a stated time. With a short building season, a late-summer storm can push repairs into the next year — so note the deadline in the policy clock & freeze-up planner and ask in writing for an extension if a contractor can’t finish before freeze-up.
Default line items and prices are illustrative.
Questions about this tool
Can labor be depreciated?
Practices vary by policy, carrier and court decisions. Look at whether your estimate depreciates labor and ask the carrier to explain its method in writing.
What happens if I don’t repair?
Under most replacement-cost policies you keep the actual cash value payment, but you may not collect the depreciation that was held back.