Trade Category Prefix
The three-letter code Xactimate uses at the start of each line item to identify the trade or category of work. Examples include RFG (roofing), PLM (plumbing), ELT (electrical), PNT (painting), DRY (drywall), and WTR (water mitigation).
The trade category prefix is the three-letter code Xactimate uses at the beginning of each line item to identify the trade or category of work. It is how the software organizes tens of thousands of line items into navigable trades.
Common Prefixes
Typical prefixes include RFG (roofing), PLM (plumbing), ELT (electrical), PNT (painting), DRY (drywall), FLC (floor covering), WTR (water mitigation), CON (contents), DOC (documents), and many more. Each prefix corresponds to a trade category under which specific line items are listed. Estimators learn the prefix shortcuts because they speed up item lookup during estimate writing.
Why It Matters in Estimates
When reviewing an estimate, the prefixes give a quick picture of what trades are involved. A heavy RFG list means a roofing-focused scope. A mix of RFG, DRY, and PNT suggests a roof loss that also caused interior damage requiring drywall repair and repaint. Contractors scanning an unfamiliar estimate can orient to the scope quickly by reading down the prefixes.
Category-Level Adjustments
Many pricing and markup rules apply at the category level. Overhead and profit, for example, is commonly applied when three or more trade categories are involved. Pricing adjustments, waste factors, and custom settings can target specific categories. Because Xactimate structures its catalog by trade prefix, these category-aware adjustments are straightforward to apply once the prefix structure is understood.
Frequently asked questions
The prefix groups items by trade so estimators can navigate the huge catalog efficiently. It also helps users apply category-level settings like overhead and profit, markups, or pricing adjustments to specific trades without touching others.
Indirectly. The pricing is set per line item, but the category prefix lets contractors and carriers apply category-specific adjustments. For example, an O&P application may apply to trade categories with more than three subcontractors. The prefix makes that kind of category-aware logic possible.
No. The prefix structure is defined by Verisk and applies uniformly across Xactimate installations. Custom pricing, custom line items, and user-specific settings can be layered on top, but the underlying prefix taxonomy is standardized.
No credit card required