A home’s construction significantly affects the coverage and premium available under a homeowners policy. When quoting, selecting the correct home build quality is essential to determining an accurate reconstruction value for the property.
- State Specific: The Building Quality selection field is state-specific and will not be displayed in the Agent Portal for all states.
- Overlapping Features: When a home fits multiple quality descriptions, select the higher-quality tier that applies.
- Post-Bind Modifications: Changing the home quality on an already-issued policy requires underwriting verification. Agents must submit a request via our webform accompanied by supporting photos of the exterior and the interior (including the kitchen and primary bathrooms).
Home Quality Tiers
Use this quick-reference matrix to compare building tiers within the Agent Portal's dropdown menu.
| Tier | Architectural Shape & Corners | Cabinets & Countertops | Finishes & Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|
| Economy | Basic square or rectangular footprint; no foundation extensions. | Pre-fabricated particleboard box-style cabinets; standard laminate countertops. | Painted walls with minimal / no molding; low-grade carpet or sheet vinyl. |
| Standard | Square, rectangular, or L-shaped; 1–2 foundation extensions. | Solid softwood (pine) or pre-fab box cabinets; laminate with wood edging or natural marble / granite tile. | Medium-grade finishes; crown molding, chair railings, or vaulted ceilings restricted to 1–2 rooms. |
| Above Average | L-shaped or T-shaped footprint; 2+ foundation extensions. | Hardwood raised-panel or glass pane cabinet fronts; high-grade laminate, solid surface, or domestic granite / marble slabs. | High-grade materials (stone / travertine / hardwood); crown molding or exposed beams in several rooms; basic built-ins (bookcases, wet bar). |
| Custom | Irregular or complex architectural design; 8+ corners. | Custom solid hardwood with premium hardware (soft-close, slide-out shelves); domestic granite / marble, quartz, or butcher block. | Premium accent walls (brick / tile), tray ceilings; premium wool / luxury hardwood; ornate primary staircase, detailed custom lighting, extensive built-ins. |
| Premium | Highly irregular, custom design; 13+ corners. | Bespoke solid hardwood cabinetry; highest-grade imported granite / marble, quartz, decorative concrete, or stainless steel. | 9 to 12-foot ceilings throughout; ultra-luxury finishes (marble walls, hand-painted murals); commercial-grade appliances, architectural columns, grand / curved staircases. |
Economy
- House Shape: Basic square or rectangular footprint. No rooms or structural features extend past the foundation (such as bay or bow windows).
- Ceilings and Walls: Standard paint with minimal or no decorative molding.
- Flooring: Low-grade carpet or standard sheet vinyl.
- Cabinets and Countertops: Pre-fabricated, modular box-style particleboard cabinets paired with standard laminate countertops.
Standard
- House Shape: Square, rectangular, or L-shaped. May feature one or two structural extensions past the foundation (e.g., a bay or bow window).
- Ceilings & Walls: Medium-grade wallpaper or natural wood paneling alongside standard paint. One or two rooms may feature crown molding, chair railings, or vaulted ceilings.
- Flooring: Medium-grade finishes, such as standard carpet, sheet vinyl, ceramic tile, hardwood, or laminate.
- Cabinets & Countertops: Cabinets constructed from solid pine (or other softwoods) or pre-fabricated box-style particleboard with hardwood frames. Countertops are laminate with hardwood edging or natural marble / granite tile
Above Average
- House Shape: L-shaped or T-shaped footprint with two or more rooms extending past the main foundation line.
- Ceilings & Walls: High-grade wallpaper or premium natural wood paneling. Multiple rooms feature architectural details like crown molding, chair railings, vaulted ceilings, or exposed wood beams.
- Flooring: High-grade materials including top-quality carpet, premium vinyl, ceramic tile, solid hardwood, engineered laminate, or natural stone (marble, granite, or travertine).
- Cabinets & Countertops: Cabinets feature hardwood raised-panel doors, cathedral styling, or glass panes. Countertops consist of high-grade laminate with hardwood edging, medium-grade solid surface materials, or domestic solid natural marble or granite slabs.
- Special Features: Includes some built-in elements, such as permanent bookcases or a custom wet bar.
Custom
- House Shape: Irregular or highly complex architectural design featuring eight or more corners.
- Ceilings & Walls: Accent walls utilizing brick or tile in addition to premium paint, high-grade wallpaper, or natural wood paneling. Several rooms feature extensive crown molding, chair railings, vaulted / tray ceilings, or exposed wood beams.
- Flooring: Top-tier selections including premium wool or luxury carpet, high-grade tile, solid hardwood, or luxury marble, granite, or travertine slabs.
- Cabinets & Countertops: Custom-built solid hardwood cabinets featuring raised panels, cathedral styling, or glass window panes. Cabinets include premium upgrades such as slide-out lower shelves, concealed hinges, soft-close or self-close mechanisms, or heavy-duty drawer slides. Countertops consist of high-grade solid surface materials, domestic solid natural granite / marble slabs, premium quartz, or solid wood butcher blocks.
- Special Features: Built-in custom bookcases, a wet bar, an ornate primary staircase, detailed chandeliers, architectural hanging fixtures, and extensive recessed lighting throughout.
Premium
- House Shape: Highly irregular, unique, or complex custom architecture featuring 13 or more corners.
- Ceilings & Walls: Walls may feature premium marble cladding, custom hand-painted murals, or bespoke wall coverings. Rooms feature oversized, multi-layered crown molding, intricate tray/vaulted ceilings, and nine to 12-foot ceilings throughout the entire home.
- Flooring: High-end luxury finishes including premium wool carpeting, designer ceramic / porcelain tile, top-tier exotic hardwood, or imported marble, granite, or travertine.
- Cabinets & Countertops: Bespoke solid hardwood cabinetry with premium detailing (cathedral glass, integrated slide-outs, soft-close hardware). Countertops consist of the highest-grade imported solid natural granite/marble, premium quartz, custom concrete with decorative edging, or commercial-grade stainless steel.
- Special Features: Architectural columns, expansive built-in features (bookcases, wet bars), curved or ornate grand staircases, and premium crystal or designer chandeliers. Kitchens feature integrated spice racks, custom pantry entries, bespoke valances, and fully built-in or commercial-grade appliances.
The above is meant as general information. This information does not modify any provisions, limitations, or exclusions expressly stated in any insurance policy. Descriptions of all coverages and other features on this page are necessarily brief; in order to fully understand the coverages and other features of a specific insurance policy, we encourage you to read the applicable policy. Whether an accident or other loss is covered is subject to the terms and conditions of the actual insurance policy or policies involved in the claim. References to general claims handling steps, average or typical premiums, amounts of losses, deductibles, costs of coverages/repair, etc., are illustrative and may not apply to your situation.
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