u/Open_Material1719

Contractor we signed with giving us a hard time with itemized estimate. We settled our first work itemization with adjuster and insurance around 26,000. our contractor wants 43,000. The adjuster gave us the time to come back with more bids which we did that matched or were higher due to the times (the work is mostly dry wall repair, flooring for most of our first floor from water damage in February). I asked the contractor we signed with to come back with an itemization for the work that is supposedly 43000. He gives me a hard time then finally agrees but says he uses a 3rd party. Mind you he is quote a larger company and in fact researched and reputable said he’s worked with insurance companies before and would fight for us. We are suppose to start work 7/13 and he’s been nothing but a hassle. First he sends me an exactimate that is 46000 with many errors. A huge one i didn’t see is 16000 in removing and reinstalling a toilet 35x which the insurance examiner laughed at and i think took pity on me for even considering this guy. I kept it cool but instantly thought is my contractor conning me? I approach him again about it saying we need this done and I need the real itemization as to why it’s $43000 so we can get the rest of the money so I don’t pay almost 17g out of pocket. he comes back now with a $33,000 exactimate still with errors and tells me he’s matching the adjusters itemization but that’s not what he costs? like what?!? Why isn’t the other $10,000 mystery money listed. Isn’t the whole point to ask for what you are worth and need so we can get to as close to the scope of work value so the insurance can match ? Or am I the dumb one? Someone please let me know if this is industry standard. Mind you this is with ZERO upgrades in the estimate included, just the repairs and restoration needed. He refuses to list the full scope properly and look over his 3rd party estimate and I’m having a freak out because we have animals and a whole family and airbnbs settled to move and he’s about to crumble everything I’ve set in place for months to keep his time line. And I’ve gone above and beyond to help him to find other estimates as he was who I was going with. thanks!

also posted in insurance group no answer: I’ll try to keep this informative but semi short. We had a severe ice dam claim this winter and we finally came to a head with our insurance after finding a contractor. Our contractor came to $42,900 with repairs (no roof repairs which is actual problem we didnt want to be marked for life by insurance so will be covering this ourselves as no shingles came off or gaping holes but if I’m wrong please let me know if i should fight) and insurance is paying out $19,207 plus $5664.25 in depreciation. However we have RCV not ACV but do understand how they start off here. My question/concern is it seems everyone’s insurance basically pays out closer to what their contractor quoted from the beginning and if it costs more they send back any extra receipts etc supplemented/itemized every nail etc. There really is no fluff in contractors quote I thought. I also had help from a well known public adjuster for free, one time use situation name drop, when my insurance didn’t want to pay dwelling despite having it in my policy. They kept refusing it saying I could stay at hotel during work only on bathroom portion for a few days with 3 dogs, cat, 2 kids and 2 adults and they’ll ‘possibly‘ reimburse me later which was so stressful and laughable because what hotel was I going to find to accommodate that... When I dropped the PA name in a voicemail to the insurance claim agent I was dealing with he rapidly called me next day changing tune saying I was covered for $110,000 in dwelling plus all food, groceries etc just no tips and alcohol. Funny how that worked right? So do I start the work leave things as be and have the contractor slowly submit all itemized extras as we go and he opens up walls or should I be concerned about this huge 17,000+ difference already before work even started? Wondering if I should actually hire that public adjuster full time and contract? It is quite a bit for my family and we already are taking a loan for the bathroom that needs to be fully gutted since we are in the thick of it. thank you for all advice.

I’ll try to keep this informative but semi short. We had a severe ice dam claim this winter and we finally came to a head with our insurance after finding a contractor. Our contractor came to $42,900 with repairs (no roof repairs which is actual problem we didnt want to be marked for life by insurance so will be covering this ourselves as no shingles came off or gaping holes but if I’m wrong please let me know if i should fight) and insurance is paying out $19,207 plus $5664.25 in depreciation. However we have RCV not ACV but do understand how they start off here. My question/concern is it seems everyone’s insurance basically pays out closer to what their contractor quoted from the beginning and if it costs more they send back any extra receipts etc supplemented/itemized every nail etc. There really is no fluff in contractors quote I thought. I also had help from a well known public adjuster for free, one time use situation name drop, when my insurance didn’t want to pay dwelling despite having it in my policy. They kept refusing it saying I could stay at hotel during work only on bathroom portion for a few days with 3 dogs, cat, 2 kids and 2 adults and they’ll ‘possibly‘ reimburse me later which was so stressful and laughable because what hotel was I going to find to accommodate that... When I dropped the PA name in a voicemail to the insurance claim agent I was dealing with he rapidly called me next day changing tune saying I was covered for $110,000 in dwelling plus all food, groceries etc just no tips and alcohol. Funny how that worked right? So do I start the work leave things as be and have the contractor slowly submit all itemized extras as we go and he opens up walls or should I be concerned about this huge 17,000+ difference already before work even started? Wondering if I should actually hire that public adjuster full time and contract? It is quite a bit for my family and we already are taking a loan for the bathroom that needs to be fully gutted since we are in the thick of it. thank you for all advice.