by Guest » Tue Sep 16, 2008 01:35 pm
I hope I can explain my confusion, but after tons of calls Im more confused that I was at the begining.. please,,, someone give me some direction.. please?
April1, bad hail damage, causing my house and my rent house on the same property to need a new roof, and my house needing a half a ceiling in my dining room, new awning over my house as well as a dusk to dawn security light.
The insurance adjuster came out and did the estimate and it was close to $10,000 for allof this. he explained that i would get a check for 8,000 now and once it was all done then i wold get the other 2,000 after submitting a yellow form in this envelope with the receipts.
I called 10 roofing companies the next day and only one called back, I set up an appt with a local Contractor and was greeted by a great person, but he said because of the area( catastrophe area) and thousands of homes needing roofs in my area all their company could do now was the roofs. he had me sign some form saying that If I chose to use only them, they would accept the price of the estimates from the insurance adjuster, and they would deal directly with the insurance company and I wouldn't have too and that they( contractor) would get the insurance company to send all the checks to them so I wouldnt be out any money other than my deductible, they would get the Recoverable Depreciation check to cover the whole price.
Because of my having work done by this company professionally, i signed it and thought nothing of it. his bids were over 12,000 just for the roofs, which i recieved after the signed form. I didnt sign these bids. I was told someone would get back with in a week or two because of the amount of damage in our area it would take that long.
After a month, I called this company, They had never heard of me. By this time, Roofers were scarce and you couldnt get anyone to call you back or show up. Apparently, the roofer that came out was fired later. I explained the whole story to this company about having these forms, etc and a bid and someone made an appt to come out the next day. He did show up,, but at 1930 hrs and was only able to measure one house. he made plans to come the next day, He had me sign that " we will accept the bid of the insurance co if yu choose us" form again, that was not completed. But because ive had work done by this company I know how professionally they are, I signed it again.
Well another month goes by, there are roofers all over town, doing bad work, the news and newpaper is daily telling us about how to find a good contractor etc, so im scared.
I call the co again and was griping to the head guy who told me that because of the rising costs of supplies the bid we submitted was wrong and prices have risen 6 times they would have to have another person put in another bid and so on... the next guy comes out and I realize that during my conversation with him, im scared of this guy, hes a smooth talker. He said we needed the adjuster to come out again and re measure the roofs because he is wrong and then he needs an adjustment to the prices of supplies.
We call the adjuster who is not to be found and hes moved on and was given a new adjuster, who comes out and remeasures to find that the original measurements are accurate and he begins tellingme tha the roofing company over estimates the sizes to account for not being accurate in how they do the roof, but he was able to get me an additional $720 because of the prices going higher. He tells me that the bid sibmitted to him from the contractor has $300 per house for covering my plants, and tells me that The " good hands people" dont pay for that and the contractor is trying to cover up for their poor work possibly.
well the contractor called me and explained that he was ready to have the roof put on so we met at my office and signed the bid he sent to the Insurance adjuster saying he forgot to have me sign the bid before he did it. So i handed over th 8720 and signed them.
In a few weeks the Roofers came out and damaged my yard. they did a great job onthe roof! but the shingles were everywhere and nails etc all over... but I was over it.
The Contractor comes to my home the day after and asks for his $3000 for the remainder of the balance so i could them send my insurance company the bill and get my returnable depreciation check. I reminded this person again about the signed consent that i completed and the one I signed that wasnt filled out and he became angry! lol I have not ever filed homeowners insurance so this was a new one on me. I had during our numerous converstation informed him that our form said he would bill the insurance co and that they would do all the work and accept the estimate. thats when he began talking about the form i signed at my office being a contract( he said bid at my office) and how it said on the back about not paying could get you a lien on my house. I got so scared... but he said he would fax over the forms to the insurance and he hoped for my sake that approve it.
Ive been sitting here totally scared about all this. Now, the rest of the work to be done and im not sure f it will be done by this company and they would deal with the insurance company. I viewed this bid/contract and its for the entire amount of my roof damage insurance claim settlement if you include the returnable depreciation! So,,,, What do I do?
I called the insurance co to speak with someone about the check for the depreciation but Hurricane ike has now hit and it will be days before someone in claims can contact me. So here are my questions ....
1. will the insurance co send the returnable depreciation check for the roofs which would add up to almost the total of what I owe them... or will they send all of the returnable Depreciaiton money for the other items such as the ceiling, awning and light fixture? I did go out this weekend and buy all the supplies for the ceiling and light fixture and am going to start when i get home tonight to finish these. the awning I can keep for awhile and am not worried about this item.
2. Does any of this sound familiar to anyone here at this site? Ive heard so many times that Insurance agencies are notorious for low balling estimates but do contractors also do this? im just shocked that all of this is happening.
3. Will the insurance company give me back what ive paid for with this roof or just what they estimated? Its about 3,000 less. I have called numerous roofers since this issue and all of them gave me close to the same price based on squares and pitch within 1,000. Are all roofing insurance claims so complicated?
4. Can you do some of the work yourself? Such as the dawn to dusk light and ceiling? I was only given about 600 for both of these items, but was paid about 400 with 200 in returnable depreciation. Will I have to pay back these items since I was given some of it upfront?
5. How do you prove to the insurance company that all of this was completed if you did it yourself?
Thank you all so much for reading this long, mixed up post. this has gone on for 5 months now......
April1, bad hail damage, causing my house and my rent house on the same property to need a new roof, and my house needing a half a ceiling in my dining room, new awning over my house as well as a dusk to dawn security light.
The insurance adjuster came out and did the estimate and it was close to $10,000 for allof this. he explained that i would get a check for 8,000 now and once it was all done then i wold get the other 2,000 after submitting a yellow form in this envelope with the receipts.
I called 10 roofing companies the next day and only one called back, I set up an appt with a local Contractor and was greeted by a great person, but he said because of the area( catastrophe area) and thousands of homes needing roofs in my area all their company could do now was the roofs. he had me sign some form saying that If I chose to use only them, they would accept the price of the estimates from the insurance adjuster, and they would deal directly with the insurance company and I wouldn't have too and that they( contractor) would get the insurance company to send all the checks to them so I wouldnt be out any money other than my deductible, they would get the Recoverable Depreciation check to cover the whole price.
Because of my having work done by this company professionally, i signed it and thought nothing of it. his bids were over 12,000 just for the roofs, which i recieved after the signed form. I didnt sign these bids. I was told someone would get back with in a week or two because of the amount of damage in our area it would take that long.
After a month, I called this company, They had never heard of me. By this time, Roofers were scarce and you couldnt get anyone to call you back or show up. Apparently, the roofer that came out was fired later. I explained the whole story to this company about having these forms, etc and a bid and someone made an appt to come out the next day. He did show up,, but at 1930 hrs and was only able to measure one house. he made plans to come the next day, He had me sign that " we will accept the bid of the insurance co if yu choose us" form again, that was not completed. But because ive had work done by this company I know how professionally they are, I signed it again.
Well another month goes by, there are roofers all over town, doing bad work, the news and newpaper is daily telling us about how to find a good contractor etc, so im scared.
I call the co again and was griping to the head guy who told me that because of the rising costs of supplies the bid we submitted was wrong and prices have risen 6 times they would have to have another person put in another bid and so on... the next guy comes out and I realize that during my conversation with him, im scared of this guy, hes a smooth talker. He said we needed the adjuster to come out again and re measure the roofs because he is wrong and then he needs an adjustment to the prices of supplies.
We call the adjuster who is not to be found and hes moved on and was given a new adjuster, who comes out and remeasures to find that the original measurements are accurate and he begins tellingme tha the roofing company over estimates the sizes to account for not being accurate in how they do the roof, but he was able to get me an additional $720 because of the prices going higher. He tells me that the bid sibmitted to him from the contractor has $300 per house for covering my plants, and tells me that The " good hands people" dont pay for that and the contractor is trying to cover up for their poor work possibly.
well the contractor called me and explained that he was ready to have the roof put on so we met at my office and signed the bid he sent to the Insurance adjuster saying he forgot to have me sign the bid before he did it. So i handed over th 8720 and signed them.
In a few weeks the Roofers came out and damaged my yard. they did a great job onthe roof! but the shingles were everywhere and nails etc all over... but I was over it.
The Contractor comes to my home the day after and asks for his $3000 for the remainder of the balance so i could them send my insurance company the bill and get my returnable depreciation check. I reminded this person again about the signed consent that i completed and the one I signed that wasnt filled out and he became angry! lol I have not ever filed homeowners insurance so this was a new one on me. I had during our numerous converstation informed him that our form said he would bill the insurance co and that they would do all the work and accept the estimate. thats when he began talking about the form i signed at my office being a contract( he said bid at my office) and how it said on the back about not paying could get you a lien on my house. I got so scared... but he said he would fax over the forms to the insurance and he hoped for my sake that approve it.
Ive been sitting here totally scared about all this. Now, the rest of the work to be done and im not sure f it will be done by this company and they would deal with the insurance company. I viewed this bid/contract and its for the entire amount of my roof damage insurance claim settlement if you include the returnable depreciation! So,,,, What do I do?
I called the insurance co to speak with someone about the check for the depreciation but Hurricane ike has now hit and it will be days before someone in claims can contact me. So here are my questions ....
1. will the insurance co send the returnable depreciation check for the roofs which would add up to almost the total of what I owe them... or will they send all of the returnable Depreciaiton money for the other items such as the ceiling, awning and light fixture? I did go out this weekend and buy all the supplies for the ceiling and light fixture and am going to start when i get home tonight to finish these. the awning I can keep for awhile and am not worried about this item.
2. Does any of this sound familiar to anyone here at this site? Ive heard so many times that Insurance agencies are notorious for low balling estimates but do contractors also do this? im just shocked that all of this is happening.
3. Will the insurance company give me back what ive paid for with this roof or just what they estimated? Its about 3,000 less. I have called numerous roofers since this issue and all of them gave me close to the same price based on squares and pitch within 1,000. Are all roofing insurance claims so complicated?
4. Can you do some of the work yourself? Such as the dawn to dusk light and ceiling? I was only given about 600 for both of these items, but was paid about 400 with 200 in returnable depreciation. Will I have to pay back these items since I was given some of it upfront?
5. How do you prove to the insurance company that all of this was completed if you did it yourself?
Thank you all so much for reading this long, mixed up post. this has gone on for 5 months now......
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 02:28 pm Post Subject:
First, you may at some point want to report the contractor to the department of insurance in your area. If there has been a catastrophe, they are probably monitoring the "contractors" (as well as the insurance adjusters) in your area. Do this if you feel that you are being jerked around or taken advantage of.
I'm confused about the payment, charge and money left. Your insurance company is paying actual cash value for your roof damage insurance claim until you can show the work was done... then they issue another check to bring the compensation up to the replacement cost. That is the reason why you submit the receipts for the additional check. If this is done, would it cover all the repairs made? I'm confused if you needed to spend some money that was earmarked for something else on this current job (ie money paid to repair the rental come was spent on your home, etc). It sounds to me like the the roofing company is looking to get paid more for just the roof than the insurance company is paying, no? If so, did the roofing company not agree to repair the roof for what the insurance was paying for the roofing insurance claims ? If not, did you agree to pay them more?
#2: Yes... insurance companies pay just enough to get the work done and yes, contractors will want to charge as much as they think they can be paid. Nothing new or wrong about this. But in the time of such a situation, it's nerve racking. Basically the way it should work is that the contractor is shown the appraisal from the insurance company. If they cannot make the repairs for that amount, they should be asked to call the adjuster to discuss any difference. They should be able to come to an agreement as to what amount should be paid. You should not commit to paying the contractor more then you are going to be paid by the insurance company.
#4: Can you do some of the work yourself and save some money (if that is the question)? Yes... the amount owed under the insurance contract is the same if you do the work or you hire someone to do the work. Plus, shouldn't you be compensated for doing the work yourself?
#5: Submit the reciepts for the purchased items and send them a picture of the work. I'm guessing that your not making repairs that would require a licensed contractor and only doing things like installing lights, etc. As long as you can show that the work was done, the insurance company should be fine with it.
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 04:11 pm Post Subject: im so confused... 5 months now roof damage/insurance claim..
I'm guessing that your not making repairs that would require a licensed contractor and only doing things like installing lights, etc. As long as you can show that the work was done, the insurance company should be fine with it.
Plus. I need to get this recoverable depreciation money to give this contractor so my home doesnt get a lien on it....
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 04:12 pm Post Subject: oops heres the rest of it
Ty for your reply and the information given. I will be copy and pasting your questions and then putting in the information after each question.
“I'm confused about the payment, charge and money left. Your insurance company is paying actual cash value until you can show the work was done... then they issue another check to bring the compensation up to the replacement cost. That is the reason why you submit the receipts for the additional check. If this is done, would it cover all the repairs made?”
No, the insurance company estimated the roofs to cost to be as follows:
Main house: $6,049…RC. 4,782.90 acv 1,266 RD
32 square 2,937 sq ft
Little house: 3,794.84 RC 2,912.67 acv 882.17 RD
23.33 square 2,136 sq ft
Light fixture: 93.61 RC 66.86 ACV 26.75 RD
Dining room: $424.85 RC 345.77 acv 79.08 RD
Awning: 1,333.18 RC $568.80 ACV 0 RD
Air conditioner comb fins: 142.02 RC 142.02 ACV 0 rd
So I was paid approx $8,720 acv from the insurance company in two checks. First check was $8,000 immediately and was given a supplement check of 720.00 after we ( contractor and myself) had the insurance company come back out because the measurements that the insurance co did was short per the contractor( which to find out it wasn't short, but accurate) and the costs of roofing shingles getting more expensive.
The bid from the contractor was for the following:
Main house: for roof, vents and plant coverage: $6,300
Small house: for roof, vents and plant coverage: $4,900
Which totals to: $11,200
“I'm confused if you needed to spend some money that was earmarked for something else on this current job (ie money paid to repair the rental come was spent on your home, etc). It sounds to me like the the roofing company is looking to get paid more for just the roof then the insurance company is paying, no? If so, did the roofing company not agree to repair the roof for what the insurance was paying for the roof? If not, did you agree to pay them more?”
The roofing company did state in the contract that they would accept what the insurance company estimated, and also in a pamphlet that says verbatim” OUR COMPANY HONORS ALL INSURANCE ADJUSTMENTS AND PERFORMS QUALITY WORK AT INSURANCE RATES! IF WE FEEL THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS NOT ASSESSED ALLTHE DAMAGE , OR THEY ARE NOT PAYING MARKET PRICES FOR THE REPAIRS, WE WILL GET IT FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY OR ACCEPT THE SETTLEMENT” sorry for the caps, but its how its written in the pamphlet.
‘Basically the way it should work is that the contractor is shown the appraisal from the insurance company.'
I submitted both original estimates to the first man and the second man. Then after having the insurance co out the second time, I gave them a copy of the supplement which was the one that got an additional $720
“If they cannot make the repairs for that amount, they should be asked to call the adjuster to discuss any difference. They should be able to come to an agreement as to what amount should be paid”
The contractor was in discussions with the adjuster and I was told that they had come to an understanding and that's when I submitted what the company had already given me, $8720. I was then asked to sign the bid that the contractor had submitted to the insurance agent. It was later that I found out that it was a bid, but once you sign it it becomes a contract.
“Can you do some of the work yourself and save some money (if that is the question)? Yes... the amount owed under the insurance contract is the same if you do the work or you hire someone to do the work. Plus, shouldn't you be compensated for doing the work yourself?”
Because I was worried that the roofs had been completed and over priced compared to the estimates from the insurance co, I thought I could make up some of the monies from the roofs by doing the labor myself on the light fixture and the dining room ceiling. I don't even know how to charge for my services in a way that would be appropriate to submit to the insurance agency. I was really worried that because the insurance paid me 8,700 acv ( for everything to be done) already and that all that money wouldn't cover the 11,200 that the contractor wanted for just the roofs, that I could make up some of the moneys by doing the work myself. Hope that makes sense…
“I'm guessing that your not making repairs that would require a licensed contractor and only doing things like installing lights, etc. As long as you can show that the work was done, the insurance company should be fine with it.” Well the repairs that I can do are replacing the ceiling work and the outside light fixture. This would at least take care of those two items. The air conditioner combing I can get done soon. The awning I won't get any recoverable depreciation for anyway and it's still usable. So I thought that I would work this fall on building a new one that is wood.
So, the way I see it is that the insurance company has already paid me acv for all of this, but some items still have that recoverable depreciation and just to make some of my money back from the higher than the estimate cost of the roof, then I need to try to obtain it by completing some of the work myself.
I hope this helps you understand the dilemma I am in… I hate this.. and am learning a valuable lesson….. that's what's going through my mind right now…
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 04:26 pm Post Subject:
Sorry... I can't even read that.
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 04:59 pm Post Subject: hope this is better
Ty for your reply and the information given on roofing insurance claims . I will be copy and pasting your questions in bold and my answers below each of your questions… I hope that its easier to read. Please forgive me, I am not familiar with posting and the way to reply to several questions... but i am trying, and do appreciate the time your taking to help me
“I'm confused about the payment, charge and money left. Your insurance company is paying actual cash value until you can show the work was done... then they issue another check to bring the compensation up to the replacement cost. That is the reason why you submit the receipts for the additional check. If this is done, would it cover all the repairs made?”
No, the insurance company estimated the roofs to cost to be as follows:
Main house: $6,049…RC. 4,782.90 acv 1,266 RD
32 square 2,937 sq ft
Little house: 3,794.84 RC 2,912.67 acv 882.17 RD
23.33 square 2,136 sq ft
Light fixture: 93.61 RC 66.86 ACV 26.75 RD
Dining room: $424.85 RC 345.77 acv 79.08 RD
Awning: 1,333.18 RC $568.80 ACV 0 RD
Air conditioner comb fins: 142.02 RC 142.02 ACV 0 rd
So I was paid approx $8,720 acv from the insurance company in two checks. First check was $8,000 immediately and was given a supplement check of 720.00 after we ( contractor and myself) had the insurance company come back out because the measurements that the insurance co did was short per the contractor( which to find out it wasn't short, but accurate) and the costs of roofing shingles getting more expensive.
The bid from the contractor was for the following:
Main house: for roof, vents and plant coverage: $6,300
Small house: for roof, vents and plant coverage: $4,900
Which totals to: $11,200
“I'm confused if you needed to spend some money that was earmarked for something else on this current job (ie money paid to repair the rental come was spent on your home, etc). It sounds to me like the roofing company is looking to get paid more for just the roof then the insurance company is paying, no? If so, did the roofing company not agree to repair the roof for what the insurance was paying for the roof? If not, did you agree to pay them more?”
The roofing company did state in the contract that they would accept what the insurance company estimated, and also in a pamphlet that says verbatim” OUR COMPANY HONORS ALL INSURANCE ADJUSTMENTS AND PERFORMS QUALITY WORK AT INSURANCE RATES! IF WE FEEL THAT THE INSURANCE COMPANY HAS NOT ASSESSED ALLTHE DAMAGE , OR THEY ARE NOT PAYING MARKET PRICES FOR THE REPAIRS, WE WILL GET IT FROM THE INSURANCE COMPANY OR ACCEPT THE SETTLEMENT” sorry for the caps, but its how its written in the pamphlet.
‘Basically the way it should work is that the contractor is shown the appraisal from the insurance company.'
I submitted estimates to the first man and the second man. Then after having the insurance co out the second time, I gave them a copy of the supplement which was the one that got an additional $720
“If they cannot make the repairs for that amount, they should be asked to call the adjuster to discuss any difference. They should be able to come to an agreement as to what amount should be paid”
The contractor was in discussions with the adjuster and I was told that they had come to an understanding and that's when I submitted what the company had already given me, $8720. I was then asked to sign the bid that the contractor had submitted to the insurance agent. It was later that I found out that it was a bid, but once you sign it it becomes a contract.
“Can you do some of the work yourself and save some money (if that is the question)? Yes... the amount owed under the insurance contract is the same if you do the work or you hire someone to do the work. Plus, shouldn't you be compensated for doing the work yourself?”
Because I was worried that the roofs had been completed and over priced compared to the estimates from the insurance co, I thought I could make up some of the monies from the roofs by doing the labor myself on the light fixture and the dining room ceiling. I don't even know how to charge for my services in a way that would be appropriate to submit to the insurance agency. I was really worried that because the insurance paid me 8,700 acv ( for everything to be done) already and that all that money wouldn't cover the 11,200 that the contractor wanted for just the roofs, that I could make up some of the moneys by doing the work myself. Hope that makes sense…
“I'm guessing that you're not making repairs that would require a licensed contractor and only doing things like installing lights, etc. As long as you can show that the work was done, the insurance company should be fine with it.”
Well the repairs that I can do are replacing the ceiling work and the outside light fixture. This would at least take care of those two items. The air conditioner combing I can get done soon. The awning I won't get any recoverable depreciation for anyway and it's still usable. So I thought that I would work this fall on building a new one that is wood.
So, the way I see it is that the insurance company has already paid me acv for the roof damage insurance claim, but some items still have that recoverable depreciation and just to make some of my money back from the higher than the estimate cost of the roof, then I need to try to obtain it by completing some of the work myself.
I hope this helps you understand the dilemma I am in… I hate this.. And am learning a valuable lesson….. that's what's going through my mind right now…
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Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 06:01 pm Post Subject:
I huge part of the problem is that the contractor should have been given a copy of the insurance companies estimate and either asked to make the repairs for that amount or contact the insurance company to discuss. As with any work of this nature if you obtain 10 estimates, you are going to get 10 different amounts. Also, if the contractor based his bid on incorrect measurements, perhaps he should adjust his original estimate amount.
The second part of what you posted seems to address this situation (it's nice that they put it in writing).
See if I understand the deal with the roof... insurance is willing to pay $8700 and contracts estimate was $11k. Part of the contractors agreement is that they will take what the insurance company pays. Contractor and insurance company discussed and seem to have reach an agreement (?) but you then signed an estimate for the $11,200? If this is correct, why would the contractor have you sign an estimate for $11200 if they agreed before to take what the carrier was going to pay? I really think the contractor is just going to take the $8700 that your carrier is paying and call it a day. You might want to confirm this information with the contractor. It usually works this way.
You don't need to charge labor for your work as the insurance company should have written up their on appraisal for what that work would cost. They will simply pay you for the work that you did at the rates they would have paid anyone else. To be paid the difference between ACV and replacement cost, I'd recommend sending in a picture of the completed work with a note of what was replaced. If needed, simply explained to the adjuster that you were a little worried that you'd not have enough money so you did some simple work yourself, plus you'd know it would be done right if you did it. Trust me... in situations like this it hard to get people out to make repairs so many people do little things themselves.
So, the way I see it is that the insurance company has already paid me acv for all of this, but some items still have that recoverable depreciation and just to make some of my money back from the higher than the estimate cost of the roof, then I need to try to obtain it by completing some of the work myself.
Heck YES! I'm right there with you! Exactly what I would do as well and many people do.If I understood the deal with the roof contractor, I'd call up the contractor and ask them if they are all set with the amount paid by the insurance company. If not, ask them why they are not accepting the amount paid as they said they would in their contractor. If there is any difference, let your insurance company know about this so that they can call the contractor to discuss. You don't need to get in the middle of what the insurance company is paying and what the contractor is charging... have them discuss that issue together.
Thanks for re-formating that post... much easier to read! :)
Posted: Tue Sep 16, 2008 08:50 pm Post Subject:
Tcopes, thank you so much for all this info! Though some of it I can see I was plainly in the wrong and may have to eat crow or money. Lol but its wonderful to speak with someone that has some idea of what they are talking about and has no affiliation with either the contractor or the insurance co. The biggest issue I see here is a lack of communication on all parts. Below is additional answers to your questions, thank you again!
“huge part of the problem is that the contractor should have been given a copy of the insurance companies estimate and either asked to make the repairs for that amount or contact the insurance company to discuss. As with any work of this nature if you obtain 10 estimates, you are going to get 10 different amounts. Also, if the contractor based his bid on incorrect measurements, perhaps he should adjust his original estimate amount.”
I did give all three employees copies of these estimates from the insurance adjuster. Employee number 1 was the first guy that came out and never called again and I later found out that he was no longer working for the company. This person I signed the contract to not get any additional bids and they would accept the insurance estimate or adjustments.
Number two was the person that came out the next day after not hearing from the company for weeks. He had me sign that same contract to work for the estimate. Because I hadn't heard back for almost a month from this guy, I called and complained and then….
Number 3. This is the man that I've dealt with for 3 months and had been working directly with the insurance adjuster number 1 and number 2.
I wasn't able to get any contractors or roofers out after my contact with the contractor complaining about contractor worker number1. There were so many homes in my city of Texarkana that had major damage that there was thousands of homes with major damage and you would call the contractors and roofers and you wouldn't hear back from anyone, ever. This was the biggest issue that I had, after not hearing from the original employee of the contractor for a month, I began calling all the listing in the phone book, but with no reply back. That was when I called the contractor back and began getting really assertive. That's when employee number 2 showed up.
All three employees have measured the roof and only number 3 had the same measurements as the adjuster.
I work in the non profit sector and have 3 employees that had damage to their roofs also, and have yet to even get a bid.
Now that Hurricane Ike just hit us last week, with a whole lot of damage in my community and the homes from the hail storm on April1 are not completed. Lol sad…
“See if I understand the deal with the roof... insurance is willing to pay $8700 and contracts estimate was $11k. Part of the contractors agreement is that they will take what the insurance company pays. Contractor and insurance company discussed and seem to have reach an agreement (?) but you then signed an estimate for the $11,200? If this is correct, why would the contractor have you sign an estimate for $11200 if they agreed before to take what the carrier was going to pay? I really think the contractor is just going to take the $8700 that your carrier is paying and call it a day. You might want to confirm this information with the contractor. It usually works this way.”
I signed what was told to me was a bid on August 13 that was faxed to the Insurance agent on July 24th, and was told that he forgot to have me sign the “ bid” that he had faxed to the insurance agent and that they had come to an agreement. This was all told to me on August 13th, 2008 at my office. I signed and dated the forms and gave him a cashier's check for 8 grand then. I told you I gave him 8,720 on that day but I didn't get the 720 dollars from the insurance agent until after I signed, so I originally gave him 8000 then when the roof was completed I gave him the 720. He had been in communication with the adjuster that had to come out and re measure and I had not, so when he said they came to an agreement, I wasn't aware that the agreement was for the contractors estimate of 11,200 or 9,800 that the insurance estimate was for. So I took his word on “Agreement” being unsure of what it was. I was always told to never sign anything until you and your legal person read it, but I didn't.lol.. not so funny
“If I understood the deal with the roof contractor, I'd call up the contractor and ask them if they are all set with the amount paid by the insurance company. If not, ask them why they are not accepting the amount paid as they said they would in their contractor. If there is any difference, let your insurance company know about this so that they can call the contractor to discuss. You don't need to get in the middle of what the insurance company is paying and what the contractor is charging... have them discuss that issue together.”
Upon your suggestion, I have placed a call into the insurance company and because of the Hurricane it will take some time, but I do appreciate you and your wisdom. I guess I have really fell to be responsible just to not deal with the situation and I need to just “ buck up” as my grandmother would say. Lol
Also, must all my items be completed before I try to get the roofing recoverable deductible? Thank you again!
Posted: Wed Sep 17, 2008 03:40 pm Post Subject:
hey stuff is quite right, i mean like when you finish that teh work is done, you get your policy on papers and get your money back.
A simple solution for you might be that you go through teh company license agreement once again.
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San Diego Home Insurance
Posted: Thu Sep 18, 2008 07:24 pm Post Subject: 5 months ago
well ty for all your assistance. As I mentioned I was going to take your advise and visit my insurance agent. I was great at the door by one enthusiastic assistance that noticed my folder from the Construction co and explained that her landlord was having major issues with this company, so I felt a little comfy knowing I wasnt alone. I met with the head agent/owner and showed her the 30 pages of documents,i.e., proposals, bids, contracts etc and she began telling me that she has several customers that are already suing this contractor. She went on to tell me horror stories of how not only did some people have issues with the billing but one person had this contractor complete a 350,000 addition and Hurricane Ike blew the addition down. When this agent/owner went to the customers home, they found that the roof wasnt even connected to the joists? and that this company should not get paid another penny!
I believe I had mentioned that the contractor had told me it would be months before any of my ceiling, light fixture, awning could even be looked at, but in todays paper is a big ad letting everyone know that they will come out and provide bids are are ready to not only do roofing but small to large home remodeling and projects. Now I feel I was just used.... ty and I cant even tell you how much I appreciate you for your help
Posted: Fri Oct 03, 2008 03:00 am Post Subject: Hurrican Ike tore down our roof
This was interesting reading for me. My husband and I are having to deal with the same confusing scenario. However, our hands are tied because we signed a contract with a roofing company the minute he walked through our door pushed a contract w/pen in our hands. We thought it harmless to sign a piece of paper that states that we're allowing the roofing company to represent us with our adjuster/insurance company to negotiate prices but that we agree to let the roofing company repair our roof in return for whatever the insurance company allotted for the roof.
So, here we are. We've received the estimate from our insurance company and, no surprise, they "nickel and dime-d" us. Surprisingly though, the adjuster missed many damaged items that we're sure we showed him but he didn't include in the estimate. So, yes, we're having to deal with that too. Anyway, back to the roof. The insurance company gave us $7,800 (roughly) to get our roof fixed - that includes the actual cash value and the depreciation value. When our roofer came to have us sign the final contract and to look over the estimate, he was shocked to find that the insurance company gave such a low amount. You see, the adjuster and the roofer agreed on the number "210" - I don't even know what that represents. Yet, when the roofer calculated what the adjuster actually gave us, it was only "190". So, to get around it, the roofer told us that we had to pay our deductible to him (it's part of the reading material that he gave us during our first meeting with him). With the deductible, the roofer said that the amount to be paid to him would be just about right. Now, my husband is questioning why we have to pay the deductible to the roofing company. He thinks we should be able to sparse the deductible amount out to other contractors who will be fixing other parts of our house.
So, I my question to all of you is if the way the roofing contractor is doing this business with us is the standard way it's down especially with repairs being paid out by insurance claims?
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