What does "research locally" involve?

"Research locally" primarily involves gathering contextual information about pricing and conditions in a specific geographic area. This means that when practitioners investigate prices that are not listed in standard estimating software such as Xactimate®, they are looking for locally relevant costs for materials, labor, or services that pertain to a specific claim or project. These locally sourced price points ensure that estimates reflect the true market conditions and costs particular to the location where the work will take place.

This approach is critical in disaster recovery and restoration efforts, where local market dynamics can significantly affect cost estimations. Gathering this type of information allows for more accurate and reliable financial planning, which is essential for successful project management and ensuring that resources are appropriately allocated based on local economic factors.