Check question

guest92i423 · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 2:52 am Post subject: Check question

I have a claim on some damage in my kitchen that has been approved. I received an estimate from Lowe's to do the repairs and my insurance company has approved the amount. The problem is due to the fact that they will only release 50% of the amount in a check to me now, and have promised to release the remaining when the job is completed.

Lowe's will not take partial payment for the project, the sales designer has stated that they will need 100% of supplies/installation paid for at the time of order. I do not have the $5,000 to cover this while I'm waiting for my insurance to reimburse me the remaining.

Is there anything I can do about this?

Also what are they expecting for proof of completion? Is there a standard request?

Thanks.

tcope · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 4:18 am Post subject:

I know of very few contractors that won't do the work first (with a signed work order from the owner) and then wait a few days to be paid. Yes, they will also probably require a deposit but this is usually 50% or less.

Lowes is not going to do the work. They are not even going to be the General Contractor as they won't be at the job site monitoring the work. They _will_ be taking a cut of the money paid for calling a contractor and/or subcontrators. Granted, they will probably be getting a discount from their subs in order to offset what they will be charging.

My recommendation, hire a contractor directly to do the work. Call several and have them come out and talk to you about the job and what they will be doing. Let them know up front that you will be talking to a few contractors about the job. After you speak to a few, choose one that you feel can do the job well. They will work with you on the payment.

simon · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 4:34 am Post subject:

I think the problem can be solved through discussion. You may ask both the constructor and the insurance company rep to discuss and solve the issue. Technically, there isn’t much that can be done other than finding a common ground.

tcope · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 4:46 am Post subject:

The problem is Lowes. They are not going to allow payment discussions between the insurance company and the actual contractors as they have an agreement (contract) with those contractors as far as payment is concerned. Lowes is a national company and follows their corporate rules.

simon · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 6:56 am Post subject:

Lori · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 1:46 pm Post subject:

You might ask your adjuster if they can pay lowes direct of if they would be willing to send a guarantee of payment once the repairs have completed...

guest92i423 · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 3:24 pm Post subject:

thanks for the advice! I'm going to try and get ahold of my claims rep today (good luck, right?). Hopefully he'll have a suggestion for me. I'm sure I'm not the first person who doesn't have the amount out of pocket.

Also, do you know if I would be covered for any ALE while the water is turned off in my home? There will probably be at least 10 days that my home will be without water during construction. I have extensive floor damage that will need to be repaired while the kitchen is torn out.

Lori · Posted: Wed Nov 05, 2008 11:45 pm Post subject:

Check question

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