fbpx
Search
Close this search box.
Life, arts, health, tech, beauty and more for women 60+ in and around Boston
Life, arts, health, tech, beauty and more for women 60+ in and around Boston
Browse by Category
Browse by Date

When a Home Disaster Happens

Last year, a summer evening at my family’s home ended in the aftermath of an indoor hurricane when the pipes in our third-floor bathroom erupted. Luckily, we found contractor Matt Foley, owner of All Around Management, to help us put the house back together. We sat down to ask Matt a few questions we wish we’d known the answers to before the flood. – Brenda

Matt, what’s the most important thing you tell customers?
When dealing with insurance companies on restoration loss, a lot of people think the insurance company is looking out for them. They are not. They are looking to pay as little as possible.

Also, insurance companies will recommend that the homeowner get three bids for the work, and then recommend you work with the lowest bidder, even if the lowest bid won’t provide you with the quality and amount of work you need done.

I recommend that homeowners hire a contractor they’re comfortable with, maybe through recommendations from family or friends. I also recommend homeowners hire a contractor who is very familiar with insurance work because it’s completely different from what you’d call a normal renovation or restoration.

What’s the biggest mistake people make when they make home repairs or renovations?
The biggest mistake people make is automatically settling for what the insurance company will allow them. You need to know how to push back to make sure you’re covered for all the work that needs to be done. It doesn’t matter if the insurance company says they will cancel your policy. It’s a normal practice and they expect pushback. A contractor who’s used to working with insurance companies can help you navigate and negotiate the settlement.

What’s your advice about whether people should hire a Public Adjustor when they have a catastrophic event in their home?
I recommend hiring a Public Adjustor – it’s what they do for a living. However, PAs generally are paid 10% of the total settlement which can run to a lot of money. That’s why some customers prefer to hire a contractor who is experienced at negotiating with insurance companies, and who won’t expect a percentage of the settlement. They just want the work.

L

Subscribe
Notify of
guest
0 Comments
Oldest
Newest Most Voted
Inline Feedbacks
View all comments

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Receive a monthly digest of our latest posts (one email per month) and be informed of any events or special offers in and around Boston.

Brian Nash Art

Pop Art for the Child at Heart

Related Posts

Chronic Friends

Wit and wisdom on aging, aches and friendship from our friend Marjorie Taylor Hollman.

Elsewhere on the Web