Had a house fire... need recommendations/advice please (Melville: sales, insurance)

[Beverly14]

Hi there,

Long time reader, first time poster!

Unfortunately, we had a home fire and the house is essentially destroyed.
Everything needs to be gutted to the studs. No one was hurt and hardly anything was lost as we were in the process of moving in so that is the positive aspect of this.

We are in negotiations with our insurance company - don't have any numbers yet - but we are looking for solid reputable contractors/builders to rebuild our home.

If anyone has recommendations, I'd greatly appreciate it.

[cottercutie]

Sorry to hear about the fire, hope all works out for you

[amyla]

I'm out in Melville and just used someone-still finishing up last minute items-who was reputable and did about $225,000 worth of renovations for us. He had been recommended by a friend who completely lost everything in a fire-he rebuilt their house in Melville as well. I would gladly-hopefully when economy picks up-use him for more work. Feel free to pm for his name and number.

Also. best of luck to you during this challenging time.

[longislandmike]

Just watch out with the insurance company...I had a nightmare situation with a puff back !

Be ALL OVER THEM, and read EVERYTHING and UNDERSTAND everything they send you...a lawyer would be a good investment.

They have different standards of accounting...they count differently and creatively, if you will...believe me, be scrupulous ABOUT EVERYTHING and don't let your guard down !

[longislandmike]

Another thing...when you get to the construction stage...if that is your choice...it's a minefield, and BE MORE CAREFUL, with these Morons !

[KENNY GUIDO]

www.shellsonly.com is a great company to deal with to rebuild your home.

[AndrewMensch]

Get an advocate to negotiate on your behalf... not an insurance company employee. You'll get alot more coverage!

[OhBeeHave]

Originally Posted by AndrewMensch

Get an advocate to negotiate on your behalf... not an insurance company employee. You'll get alot more coverage!

VERY good advice.

One person I know had a fire, and the insurance company wanted to pay to have the stair treads replaced but not the risers or stringers, and to have some windows replaced which wouldn't have matched the older ones. After some back and forth, the advocate got them all new windows so that they would match, and was able to get the staircases completely replaced.

There were other things, too, but those two were the ones that stick out in my mind.

[longislandmike]

Originally Posted by OhBeeHave

VERY good advice.

One person I know had a fire, and the insurance company wanted to pay to have the stair treads replaced but not the risers or stringers, and to have some windows replaced which wouldn't have matched the older ones. After some back and forth, the advocate got them all new windows so that they would match, and was able to get the staircases completely replaced.

There were other things, too, but those two were the ones that stick out in my mind.

Amazing conincidence ? NO !

The EXACT SAME THING...sort of...happened to me, with the insurance company.

When they measured our house, inside, for painting...the insurance company short-changed the measurement of the cellar railing, and didn't count the risers or springers for paint...somehow, our cellar stair were an architectural oddity...they were suspended in mid-air !

In addition, there was NO sales tax calculated in what were owed us in the final amount !

What you probably already encountered is a MULTITUDE of STRANGERS, literally, POURING over your property and personal things...your Personal Property....EVERYTHING ! And until the job it done "right" the first time...if you are LUCKY...the endless flow of STRANGERS, transversing your property line, is LITERALLY, ENDLESS !

What the "SCAM" is, is the following : there is A LOT of $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$ "floating around" in ANY KIND of home repair/ construction situation, and the aim is NOT to "put you back were you were before"...the insurance company types will say this a lot...but TO MAKE MONEY FOR THEMSELVES, AT, ULTIMATELY, YOUR EXPENSE !

I know what you are thinking..."but the insurance company is paying for this and that, and I'm not..". The insurance company AND the contractor...who they are in "ca-hoots with" will cut corners on materials and construction, etc....THIS is how they make their money, on "cutting corners" and short-changing you on materials and methods !

YOU NEED AN ADVOCATE TO INTERPRET AND PROTECT YOUR RIGHTS, AS PER THE POLICY ! It's NOT that the insurance company and the restoration/construction company/people will STOP cheating, it's that they will cheat you LESS, in the end !

This is "why" insurance costs and premiums are so "HIGH"...CORRUPTION ! AND AN "HONEST" PERSON, IN ALL OF THIS, IS HARD TO FIND ! IT'S ALL OF THIS $$$$$$$$$$$$$$ BEING PASSED ALONG...a hundred $ or a thousand $$$ here or there, adds up, and THEY COUNT ON YOU NOT BEING SOPHISTICATED OR SMART OR TOUGH ENOUGH TO SAY "NO" !

Don't want to scare you...but, this is only the, proverbial "tip" of what you will encounter in your journey !

Just keep going forward, and be ALL OVER EVERYONE, AND DON'T TRUST ANYONE...ANYONE, even your advocate !

[Kbinspections]

Get a public adjuster on your side.....they know how to deal with your insurance companies. For sure, this is your first step.

Sorry to hear about your misfortune......