How the worksheet estimates depreciation
It applies straight-line depreciation — age divided by expected life — up to the cap you choose. Carriers may adjust for condition or treat some items, like permits, as non-depreciable, so treat the result as a planning number.
Life expectancies you’ll see in estimates
| Item | Common range |
|---|---|
| Architectural asphalt shingles | 25–30 years |
| Impact-resistant (Class 4) shingles | 30+ years |
| Exposed-fastener metal roofing | 30–40 years |
| Vinyl siding | 25–40 years |
| Fiber-cement siding | 40–50 years |
| Interior paint | 8–12 years |
Collecting the holdback
Most replacement cost policies release recoverable depreciation after repairs are finished within a time limit. Send invoices and completion photos, and put the deadline on a calendar with the claim timeline builder. Wyoming’s short building season can make a one-year window tight after a late-summer storm — ask for an extension in writing if you need one.
Questions about this calculator
Is labor depreciated in Wyoming?
Practices vary by carrier and policy, and courts in different states have reached different answers. Ask the carrier to explain in writing whether and how labor was depreciated.
What if I decide not to repair?
Under most replacement cost policies you keep the actual cash value payment but give up the held-back depreciation.