Water remediation crew did more damage than the water

Water remediation crew did more damage than the water

Member since 2023 · 3 posts · 0 votes

Recently we had a minor sewer backup, which soaked the carpet pad but didn't leave any standing water. We hired a pro water remediation company and asked them to remove dry wall, base boards, carpet, and drop fans, dehumidifier equipment, as well as apply any anti-microbial disinfectant, etc.

However, shocked did we find out that they destroyed the bathroom without any notifications to us. Include damaged cement board walls in unaffected areas, threw out the vanity, damaged one water supply valve, tiles. In addition, they destroyed every door on the level. Currently they don't answer any of our calls or communications regarding the damages and the work they did. Btw, landlord insurance doesn't cover this.

It'd be great to hear your ideas and wisdom on:

 The company wants full payment (we paid half up front) even though they incurred more damage than their service. How should we handle it? What would be a good outcome of the negotiation with them? 

While trying to repair the damage (new tiles, new toilet, new vanity, new door, new cement board, etc.), how should we work with our tenants? We have good tenants but their lease ends in one month. The whole situation might deter them from renewing especially when the lower level is not fully usable now.

Thank you so much.

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  • Investor · Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    3y

    Did you not have insurance? Or just not make a claim?

    I dealt with this twice. (two different properties, same problem. Toilet supply line exploded..) Both times Allstate sent out Servpro, handled everything and 4 days later they were done. Once I paid $1,00 deductible, once they covered as they sued the supply line manufacturer. 

    These were both $30-$40k claims so not huge, but the only 2 claims I’ve ever made with a dozen Properties over 25 years. I guess what I’m asking is was your damage so small you didn’t make a claim or is your insurance company letting you down and should they be your next call? If you’re self insuring you’re probably going to need a lawyer and it might turn out to be cheaper and make the claim. Good luck and let us know if it’s an insurance or no insurance situation, and how it turns out. 

  • Member since 2023 · 3 posts · 0 votes
    3y
    Quote from @Bill B.:

    Did you not have insurance? Or just not make a claim?

    I dealt with this twice. (two different properties, same problem. Toilet supply line exploded..) Both times Allstate sent out Servpro, handled everything and 4 days later they were done. Once I paid $1,00 deductible, once they covered as they sued the supply line manufacturer. 

    These were both $30-$40k claims so not huge, but the only 2 claims I’ve ever made with a dozen Properties over 25 years. I guess what I’m asking is was your damage so small you didn’t make a claim or is your insurance company letting you down and should they be your next call? If you’re self insuring you’re probably going to need a lawyer and it might turn out to be cheaper and make the claim. Good luck and let us know if it’s an insurance or no insurance situation, and how it turns out. 


    Thanks a lot Bill.

    For the two incidents you dealt with, how did you work with the tenants? Did they live at the property during the repairing? 

    We have State*arm and little did we know that they don't carry a sewer back up rider. We wonder whether (1) interior damage from the sewer overflow is covered (2) damage from the Water Remediation company's work is covered.

    #1 seems to be NOT covered reading the insurance policy terms;
    #2 is unclear; but it would be hard for the insurer to judge. The remediation company can spin up stories to their benefits? There can be fineprint agreement that we've signed saying they are not reliable for any damage incurred during the remediation process.

    Do you have any thoughts on dealing with insurance in our situation? 
  • Investor · Las Vegas, NV · Member since 2013 · 8k+ posts · 10k+ votes
    3y

    They stayed in the unit, bedrooms were upstairs, damage was downstairs.

    Did state farm offer you a sewer backup rider and you turned it down? If not I would assume it should be covered. I did specifically leave American modern when they put some silly limit on water damage of $10-$15k? You might want to get the sewer scoped so at least you will know if it was sewer related  

    The remediation company’s insurance should cover damage they caused. I assume you have a work order/quote/scope of work/something that says do this work listed and the bathroom isn’t on it. Or at least a customer just approve change orders, especially over a certain amount. 

  • Member since 2023 · 5 posts · 0 votes
    3y

    Do they have any photo evidence proving that other areas of the property were damaged? If not, that along with the other items damaged while doing mitigation and demo may be grounds for a credit or removal of line items on a bill. I know on our end we've done both those things when it's been brought to our attention that we have caused unnecessary damage to the property, especially when the job is out of pocket. 

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