I got a personal problem :(

[The Homemommy]

I thought I would ask my friends on here for some advice about a problem I got goin' on. Last Friday, the pipe to my sink burst overnight and flooded my house. It ruined my kitchen floor and the water spread to my bathroom (behind my kitchen) and down the walls into my downstairs. When I got up that morning to take my daughter to school, I couldn't believe what I saw. I ran downstairs and it was like it was raining in my downstairs. The ceiling in my laundry room (under my kitchen/bathroom) was pouring water. It ruined the floors in the laundry room and the floors in my downstairs hallway.

I called my insurance company and they sent out a clean-up crew. They immediately ripped up my hardwood floors in my kitchen and found the water spread out under the flooring into the living room and upstairs hallway. They ripped all that out. Then they ripped the flooring up in the bathroom. They also ripped up the carpet on the stairs leading downstairs.

They ripped the flooring in the laundry room and downstairs hallway. The ceiling in the laundry room with have to be replaced along with the drywall. I also have another bedroom downstairs, they didn't rip up the carpet in there, they just pulled it up and put a dryer under it. We have a den with a pool table and since the carpet that goes on the stairs matches the carpet in the den, it will have to be replaced also. But the carpet in the bedroom matches it too. They said they won't replace it.

They placed dryers and heaters all throughout the house (IT IS SO HOT IN HERE!!!) and think it will be dry by tomorrow. The insurance adjuster won't come out until it is dry. But he gave us the option of having the clean-up crew do the repairs or they can cut us a check and we can have someone else do it.

I don't know what is best. I don't know how this works either. Do they alott so much money for each room? Do I have to try and find the same type of flooring that was in there before? For example, the hardwood floors upstairs go throughout the whole house (except the vinyl in the bathroom), when they replace them with new in the kitchen, living room, etc, they won't match the other rooms upstairs. Should I ask them to replace the flooring the bedrooms too so they will match?

I have never had anything like this happen, and would really appreciate any advice you can give.

Thanks in advance,

Carrie

[Rose]

I thought I would ask my friends on here for some advice about a problem I got goin' on. Last Friday, the pipe to my sink burst overnight and flooded my house. It ruined my kitchen floor and the water spread to my bathroom (behind my kitchen) and down the walls into my downstairs. When I got up that morning to take my daughter to school, I couldn't believe what I saw. I ran downstairs and it was like it was raining in my downstairs. The ceiling in my laundry room (under my kitchen/bathroom) was pouring water. It ruined the floors in the laundry room and the floors in my downstairs hallway.

I called my insurance company and they sent out a clean-up crew. They immediately ripped up my hardwood floors in my kitchen and found the water spread out under the flooring into the living room and upstairs hallway. They ripped all that out. Then they ripped the flooring up in the bathroom. They also ripped up the carpet on the stairs leading downstairs.

They ripped the flooring in the laundry room and downstairs hallway. The ceiling in the laundry room with have to be replaced along with the drywall. I also have another bedroom downstairs, they didn't rip up the carpet in there, they just pulled it up and put a dryer under it. We have a den with a pool table and since the carpet that goes on the stairs matches the carpet in the den, it will have to be replaced also. But the carpet in the bedroom matches it too. They said they won't replace it.

They placed dryers and heaters all throughout the house (IT IS SO HOT IN HERE!!!) and think it will be dry by tomorrow. The insurance adjuster won't come out until it is dry. But he gave us the option of having the clean-up crew do the repairs or they can cut us a check and we can have someone else do it.

I don't know what is best. I don't know how this works either. Do they alott so much money for each room? Do I have to try and find the same type of flooring that was in there before? For example, the hardwood floors upstairs go throughout the whole house (except the vinyl in the bathroom), when they replace them with new in the kitchen, living room, etc, they won't match the other rooms upstairs. Should I ask them to replace the flooring the bedrooms too so they will match?

I have never had anything like this happen, and would really appreciate any advice you can give.

Thanks in advance,

Carrie

Hi Carrie,

Arrrrgh,:arghh: sounds like a mess!
Usually when the insurance company comes out they appraise the damage and tell you what they will cover. If they give you a check for a set amount you have to decide how much work you can get done with it, you may end up having to pay some money out of your own pocket if you want things replaced that aren't covered.

My sympathies are with you...
Rose

[The Homemommy]

Hi Carrie,

Arrrrgh,:arghh: sounds like a mess!
Usually when the insurance company comes out they appraise the damage and tell you what they will cover. If they give you a check for a set amount you have to decide how much work you can get done with it, you may end up having to pay some money out of your own pocket if you want things replaced that aren't covered.

My sympathies are with you...
Rose

Hi Rose,

Yes, It is a huge mess. I worked that night (I'm a nurse) and I came home at 11:30, took a shower and went to bed around 12:30am. I got back up at 6:30 am to take my daughter school and found it. Who woulda thunk that in that short amount of time that it would cause so much damage? It's so crazy. The clean-up crew said that we have good insurance that would cover most if not all the damage. I hope they are right.

I think I will take some time to decide on what to do. The insurance company isn't getting in any hurry, so I won't either. I got another guy coming out to estimate the damage tonight, so I guess we will compare the estimate from him to the one from the clean-up crew. I want as much done as possible. I'm thinking of my home value in the future.

Thanks for caring.

Carrie

[Richard Amiel McGough]

Hi Rose,

Yes, It is a huge mess. I worked that night (I'm a nurse) and I came home at 11:30, took a shower and went to bed around 12:30am. I got back up at 6:30 am to take my daughter school and found it. Who woulda thunk that in that short amount of time that it would cause so much damage? It's so crazy. The clean-up crew said that we have good insurance that would cover most if not all the damage. I hope they are right.

I think I will take some time to decide on what to do. The insurance company isn't getting in any hurry, so I won't either. I got another guy coming out to estimate the damage tonight, so I guess we will compare the estimate from him to the one from the clean-up crew. I want as much done as possible. I'm thinking of my home value in the future.

Thanks for caring.

Carrie
Hi Carrie,

It sounds like you know what needs to be done. I can't think of anything to help except to let you know I care, and that we can be thankful it was water and not fire!

God bless,

Richard

[The Homemommy]

Hi Carrie,

It sounds like you know what needs to be done. I can't think of anything to help except to let you know I care, and that we can be thankful it was water and not fire!

God bless,

Richard

Hi,

It may sound like I know, but not really! I really wish the insurance man would call or come out or something! I haven't spoken to him since Friday morning when I found the mess and even then I had to leave several messages and keep calling to get ahold of him to see what to do about the water. He said just call someone to come and help you clean it up. I asked "who" and he said "Do you have a phone book?" :confused:

I asked him if he would come and look at the damage on Friday and he said he couldn't because it was....Friday!! I guess he dosen't work on Friday. Must be nice. :mad: I called him yesterday, He hasn't called back yet.

I was really hoping that someone here has had this happen before and could tell me how this works. Do we have to find the exact same floors we had? Do they pick things out for us or do we need to start looking for similar flooring? Do they give us so much for flooring and so much for walls,etc??

I guess these are questions for the insurance man. I would ask him, if he would call.

Anyway, thanks for letting me vent and for caring.

Carrie

[Gil]

Hi Carrie,

Let the insurance adjuster come up with a final amount of damage
coverage allowable in a dollar amount. (Cut check amount).

Get at least two or three independent estimates from private contractors
or re modelers and tell them what you want done and materials that you
wish to have them replaced with. The same or with other type material.

Start with what you want . You can always downgrade to less expensive.
Do not tell the contractors what the insurance has settled for.

Take your time, pick and choose for the best result.
Good insurance should cover it all, if not downgrade a little so as to the least amount of out of pocket expense to hold the appraisal value of your home.

If you let the insurance company choose the contractors ,the contractors will
know what the dollar amount is and will charge accordingly.

Get your water pipe replaced. If you cannot do it yourself , get someone in to
do it. It has to be done anyway.
Same routine, get a couple of estimates from plumbers if you have to go that route.

Don't panic, the damage is already done. Take all the time you need and
don't let anyone try and push you.

Gil

[Gil]

Hi Carrie,

An after thought.
If you find the residence to be unlivable until repairs are made, most Insurance will cover expenses to stay somewhere else. Check your insurance.
Also, hardwood is kind of spendy. If they didn't rip it to shreds , hardwood,
even if under water for a bit can be stacked with air strips in between layers
in the garage or somewhere for awhile and will hold it's shape without warp
until the moisture contend is reduced to to the right value.

You could sell it later and make a few bucks.
Someone will buy it and re - rip it to be used again.

If they were careful when they took it out , a lot of it could be re-used.

Knowing how they work, they may have keep't it for themselves or just hauled it to the dump. A waist if they did.

Gil

[Brother Les]

This is a good time to remodel.

Take your time and plan and dream.


No, you do not have to put the 'exact' same stuff in as you did before.

If you had 'Hardwood' floors. know that there are 'different' types of 'hardwood'. I have 3/4 inch oak hard wood that will last forever. What is sold in many places now is a 1/8 inch peel and stick that will 'wear out'. Don't get the cheap junk.

know what you 'want' and know what you 'get' as it may not be the same.

Have the 'bidders' itemize each and every room. Each and every item in the room(s) that is to be done.

Know what each room ,floor, wall, ect. will cost. seperately.

If you 'hire' a company to do all (or some) of the work make sure they are 'Bonded' and ask about Guaranties and warrenties. HAVE Everything in Writing, signed and dated.
Get three 'bids' on everything that 'could' or possiabley needs to be done.

The insurance adjustor will look at the 'type of policy you have...

1)Full replacement value....
2) deductables and a percentage paid after that....
3) set amount
4) none?
Get the 'bids' to be on the 'high side' as there is always unforseen events and cost overruns.

If you 'piece' the job out
(after showing the adjustor the 'two'((( (hold back the lowest bid))) 'bids' for work and are able to get the most amount for the best product availible)

you can now 'piece' the job out or have one 'company' do it all of the work.

any company that does any work should be bonded and have warrenties and gaurrenties for any work done. Make sure you and 'the company' have a written plan that you both agree on and make sure they stick to it step by step. Ask for the origianl reciepts of any material that is to be used in your home. (Some contractors will buy more material than needed and not bring it to the job site and use it on other 'jobs' that they are working on)

All boards, paint, sheet rock,ect. belongs to you and should be left at your home when 'the job is done'. If there is any 'excess' boards, sheet rock, boxes of nails, ext. they should be returned to the store and the money give back to you or you may keep the items for 'other'uses. Make sure that you have an inventory or what is bought for your project and what is used and what is done with the excess.

It is fine if you think that you and some friends can do 'some of the work' and 'save' money (for your pocket). Be aware that any problems on work that 'you' (and friends) did is not 'warrentied'..... (if a light ficture is bad or the wood floor is defective the manufacture will warrenty is, but not the instulation)

Don't 'rush' to get it done.
Learn the process and get it fixed the way YOU want it. (Example) Don't settle for the 'limegreen' laminate that you always hated, get it remodeled in a new styl that you want.



These are only a small suggestions start.

Go on the 'web' and do some searches for suggestions in
1)the process
2)remodel ideas
3)DYI ideas

(my wife works for an insurance company)

[The Homemommy]

Hi Carrie,

Let the insurance adjuster come up with a final amount of damage
coverage allowable in a dollar amount. (Cut check amount).

Get at least two or three independent estimates from private contractors
or re modelers and tell them what you want done and materials that you
wish to have them replaced with. The same or with other type material.

Start with what you want . You can always downgrade to less expensive.
Do not tell the contractors what the insurance has settled for.

Take your time, pick and choose for the best result.
Good insurance should cover it all, if not downgrade a little so as to the least amount of out of pocket expense to hold the appraisal value of your home.

If you let the insurance company choose the contractors ,the contractors will
know what the dollar amount is and will charge accordingly.

Get your water pipe replaced. If you cannot do it yourself , get someone in to
do it. It has to be done anyway.
Same routine, get a couple of estimates from plumbers if you have to go that route.

Don't panic, the damage is already done. Take all the time you need and
don't let anyone try and push you.

Gil

Gil,

Thanks for all your suggestions. We fixed the plumbing ourselves...it was so easy!! I think that's the part that is so frustrating, all that damage over one line to the sink that was fixed in 15 minutes. It is so totally crazy.

Your suggestion about not rushing is correct. The insurance man finally called back and said depending on what the estimate is from the clean-up crew, he said he might not even come out and look at our house!! :eek: If he is not in a hurry to help us, I won't be in a hurry to make any decisions.

I'm not in the insurance business, but this seems weird.

Thanks for listening.

Carrie

[The Homemommy]

This is a good time to remodel.

Take your time and plan and dream.


No, you do not have to put the 'exact' same stuff in as you did before.

If you had 'Hardwood' floors. know that there are 'different' types of 'hardwood'. I have 3/4 inch oak hard wood that will last forever. What is sold in many places now is a 1/8 inch peel and stick that will 'wear out'. Don't get the cheap junk.

know what you 'want' and know what you 'get' as it may not be the same.

Have the 'bidders' itemize each and every room. Each and every item in the room(s) that is to be done.

Know what each room ,floor, wall, ect. will cost. seperately.

If you 'hire' a company to do all (or some) of the work make sure they are 'Bonded' and ask about Guaranties and warrenties. HAVE Everything in Writing, signed and dated.
Get three 'bids' on everything that 'could' or possiabley needs to be done.

The insurance adjustor will look at the 'type of policy you have...

1)Full replacement value....
2) deductables and a percentage paid after that....
3) set amount
4) none?
Get the 'bids' to be on the 'high side' as there is always unforseen events and cost overruns.

If you 'piece' the job out
(after showing the adjustor the 'two'((( (hold back the lowest bid))) 'bids' for work and are able to get the most amount for the best product availible)

you can now 'piece' the job out or have one 'company' do it all of the work.

any company that does any work should be bonded and have warrenties and gaurrenties for any work done. Make sure you and 'the company' have a written plan that you both agree on and make sure they stick to it step by step. Ask for the origianl reciepts of any material that is to be used in your home. (Some contractors will buy more material than needed and not bring it to the job site and use it on other 'jobs' that they are working on)

All boards, paint, sheet rock,ect. belongs to you and should be left at your home when 'the job is done'. If there is any 'excess' boards, sheet rock, boxes of nails, ext. they should be returned to the store and the money give back to you or you may keep the items for 'other'uses. Make sure that you have an inventory or what is bought for your project and what is used and what is done with the excess.

It is fine if you think that you and some friends can do 'some of the work' and 'save' money (for your pocket). Be aware that any problems on work that 'you' (and friends) did is not 'warrentied'..... (if a light ficture is bad or the wood floor is defective the manufacture will warrenty is, but not the instulation)

Don't 'rush' to get it done.
Learn the process and get it fixed the way YOU want it. (Example) Don't settle for the 'limegreen' laminate that you always hated, get it remodeled in a new styl that you want.



These are only a small suggestions start.

Go on the 'web' and do some searches for suggestions in
1)the process
2)remodel ideas
3)DYI ideas

(my wife works for an insurance company)

Les,

Your suggestions are awesome, once again you have helped me. We had another guy come out last night to estimate the damage, so we will see what he says compared to the other crew and go from there. As I wrote in response to Gil, the adjuster said depending on the estimates, he might not even come out and look at our house! I'm not in insurance, but this seems totally weird.

Thanks for all your help. Please keep us in your prayers, it is really hard to keep my youngest daughter who is home with me during the day away from all the mess, I don't look forward to having move everything out from the rooms while they are being repaired and still try and find things for her to do. She is four. Then I have a 6 year old to take back and forth to school and then have to go to work at night on top of everything else. This totally sucks.

I'll let you know how things go.

:signthankspin:

Carrie

[Brother Les]

Carrie,
You may be the owner of the Home, but you need to look at this as if you are the 'General Contractor' and are hiring people to do the 'Job'. Try to understand the process of what is done and how the job should be done. As 'General Contractor' it is up to you to look at everything as the 'jobs' progress and ASK Questions that may come up. Be very aware that those doing the 'work' WILL make what seems to be a bigger mess as construction goes along. Example: Sheet Rock must be 'hung' (nailed in) and plaster put on the seams and nail holes.... The plaster has to dry and then it is sanded down smoother, this is very dusty...... more plaster is put on and it drys and then sanded down again, more dust... This will take Days because the plaster has to dry before it can be sanded again. It will be dusty and dirty and carpet and floor can only be put in After all of this messy stuff is down. It will take more than a couple of weeks for Professionals to get it all done.... longer if done by friends. Keep your ching up and be patient. Talk in depth with who will do the work and what they will do and keep 'notes' of everything that is said. ect. ect.


This will be one of 'those' growing experiences. be calm and have patience.