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.
For further assistance, contact us via our webform or Live Chat.