All Forum Posts by: Tavisha Grant

Troy S, I see this nightmare all the time with my clients who get an insurance settlement and want to manage the job themselves.  They have no professional experience in construction (maybe some side jobs they did with friends in the 80s), yet they think they are capable of running a $40k kitchen restoration job on their own.  You hit the nail on the head when you said it's ALL about getting the right subs.  The good guys don't advertise on Craigslist because they're too busy.  Great subs stay busy all the time.  Without the right subs, the job is sunk!

In many instances, $10k is not going to be nearly enough.  I'm a public insurance adjuster specializing in water damage claims.  I just settled a claim last Friday with Liberty Mutual for $164k that was the result of an icemaker supply line failure that occurred while the homeowner was on vacation.  (Before the homeowner retained us, Liberty Mutual's initial offer was only $20k.)  Many policies are starting to limit or exclude water damage altogether, which is amazing to me since it's the most common type of home insurance claim. 

While this is an example of an extreme water damage claim, it's not unusual at all for a water event to cause upwards of $40k in damage.  Keep in mind that a lot of that will depend upon the finishes.  Hardwood flooring costs a lot more to replace than carpeting.  The grade of the cabinetry will also be a huge factor, as well as whether or not the solid surface countertops break upon removal (laminated counters can typically be detached and reset without breakage).  In my experience in handling these types of situations on a daily basis, $10k would not be nearly enough unless the home has below builder-grade finishes.

@Marvin McTaw:  I would suggest consulting with a public adjuster.  Many people don't know that we even exist.  I work with many investor clients to help them get their claims paid - and for the right amount.  A reputable public adjuster will work with you on a contingency basis either for a percentage of the entire claim (if they work with you from the beginning) or on an "over and above" basis if you hire them if you've received a substantial amount that is still too low.  That way you only pay a fee on any additional settlement funds they negotiate on your behalf.  All fees are negotiable.  

An experienced public adjuster can be an invaluable resource in the event of a claim.  The insurance companies call us back and typically reply on a timely basis since most states have statutes regarding unfair claim settlement practices.  They don't want to get in hot water by not complying with someone who will certainly document their claim file with such infractions.

Just check references and proper licensing.  Call me if you have questions.  I'm not licensed in Georgia, but I would be happy to answer any questions you have.  I can't leave my phone number here, per the rules, so Google me.  I'm easy to find.  Best of luck to you with your claim.

Tavisha Grant, Public Adjuster, Property Claim Adjusters, Phoenix, AZ

@Ryan K.  That's the great thing about being the client.  You can request the estimate to be written using whatever criteria works best for you.  Best of luck to you on your remodel.

Troy hit the nail on the head.  The reason your insurance claim damages were broken down into very detailed estimates is because it's required by the insurance company in order to arrive at a settlement amount for the claim.  Most non-insurance jobs will likely not be estimated in as much detail.  I would ask for at least a break-down by trade (or category), that way you will know what each phase will cost. 

Another alternative you could do is hire someone like me (a public adjuster) to give you an estimate based on exactly what you wanted to have done.  Most PAs will charge a flat rate to create a very detailed estimate - exactly like what you received in your insurance claim.  I imagine you could have it done for $300 or so, depending on the complexity of the job. Most of us use Xactimate - an estimating software that is supposed to value each line item according to the pricing for that specific zip code (that is debatable at times).  Then, you could redact the prices and shop out the estimate to as many contractors as you'd like.  You'll have a thorough scope of work and any contractor who agrees to do the job will know exactly what you expect to have done.  They won't have to spend as much time (as Troy S suggested) in creating a scope, as they will simply be giving you their price to do the job per your own scope.  You could ask them to break it down by trade, so you know exactly what they're charging for each category.  You'll also get an idea if any of the GCs is way out of the ballpark in pricing compared to what Xactimate's valuation is.  Doing it that way might get you some quotes from busy GCs who perhaps wouldn't have time to create a scope.  Just an idea.

Tavisha Grant, Public Adjuster, Property Claim Adjusters, Phoenix, AZ

I'm a public adjuster in Arizona and if I was working on this claim here, I could get this damage paid for all day long.

However, as has been mentioned, filing a claim could end up not being in your best interest in the long run.  Your premiums could go up (but I doubt it on a $5k claim), you could get a non-renewal notice (which I also doubt), or your carrier could send you a long list of things to repair or replace on the property before the date of your renewal (I have seen this and this is a very real possibility).  On something relatively minor, you have to weigh out the pros and cons to decide whether or not to file a claim.

Tavisha Grant, Public Adjuster, Property Claim Adjusters, Phoenix, AZ

I tend to agree with Erick.  I am a public insurance adjuster and I specialize in water losses.  Grout often leaks.  For most of my investor clients, they tend to go back with the 1-piece surround if possible.  It's a much less expensive and quick fix and it isn't as prone to future leaks down the road.

I would get a IICRC certified water mitigation company out there and request that they do several things:

1.  Hire a leak detection company if the cause of the water loss isn't readily apparent.  It will just keep happening if you don't address the cause.

2.  Have an environmental hygienist do a test to rule out mold growth.  Mold can grow in as little as 72 hours depending on the environment of the home.

3.  Have the mitigation company come up with a plan to deal with any damage caused by the water.  They will also treat with an antimicrobial to make sure that no mold grows and to kill any mold that may have already grown.

I deal with water losses every day.  It doesn't sound like a deal breaker to me.  But, I would make sure to get a clearance from the mitigation company that everything is okay in the home before moving forward with closing.

Tavisha Grant, Public Adjuster, Property Claim Adjusters, Phoenix, AZ

I agree with everything Robert shared except when he advised to use bleach to treat the mold.  While bleach is effective in killing surface mold, it doesn't kill the roots of the mold.  There are many anti-microbial products on the market that would be a much better choice in the long run than bleach.  Just my $.02 as a public adjuster specializing in water and fire claims.

Tavisha Grant, Public Adjuster, Property Claim Adjusters, Phoenix, AZ