[amandanichols]

A few weeks ago DH visited our rental and found that there was water under the house. He assumed a sump-pump failure and called that guy. It took a couple weeks for the sump-pump guy to come, and when he did, he told us that the water appeared to be from a leak in our main water pipe (from well). We called the plumber, who went out and said that it appeared to be a broken pipe in the wall between kitchen and master bath, and that we should call our insurance company. He stopped the supply of water to that area. It was not the main line, so the only disruption is the hot water to the master bath sink (I think). DH called insurance agent and was told that the insurance company would want two estimates. He immediately set up the first estimate, telling the guy not to open up any walls or tear out anything, but that he could set up his fans. We let him do this because he told DH that the insurance would want that to be done immediately. ETA: we live 2500 miles from the rental and plan to sell it when current tenants move out (which hopefully they will want to do, with this going on). Insurance claims guy contacted his preferred contractor to also do an estimate, which was set up but has not yet occurred. Insurance guy visited house and decided that the water was from a slow leak under a sink, therefore not covered, as it would be a maintenance issue. We don't know yet if that is the case, as the wall has not been opened up, but I.G.'s response so far is, No Insurance Help. We just got the estimate from Contractor #1. While we were looking at it, Contractor #2 called and cancelled the appointment, saying that they didn't want to come because #1 had already set up his fans, and that we should just use #1 without getting a second estimate. So . . . we think we should get a second estimate for such major work. I wonder . . . Is it common for these companies to overcharge? Are the fans their main profit, and is that why Company #2 is no longer interested? Should we let this company (which has already lied to us at least once) do the work, despite not having a second estimate, feeling that this estimate may be excessive, seeing from reviews that they go way beyond their estimates, and being generally unhappy with their aggressive approach? Should we find a contractor to do the rebuilding (this one just rips out) and have that person also do the ripping out?

 

[amandanichols]

A few weeks ago DH visited our rental and found that there was water under the house. He assumed a sump-pump failure and called that guy. It took a couple weeks for the sump-pump guy to come, and when he did, he told us that the water appeared to be from a leak in our main water pipe (from well). We called the plumber, who went out and said that it appeared to be a broken pipe in the wall between kitchen and master bath, and that we should call our insurance company. He stopped the supply of water to that area. It was not the main line, so the only disruption is the hot water to the master bath sink (I think). DH called insurance agent and was told that the insurance company would want two estimates. He immediately set up the first estimate, telling the guy not to open up any walls or tear out anything, but that he could set up his fans. We let him do this because he told DH that the insurance would want that to be done immediately. ETA: we live 2500 miles from the rental and plan to sell it when current tenants move out (which hopefully they will want to do, with this going on). Insurance claims guy contacted his preferred contractor to also do an estimate, which was set up but has not yet occurred. Insurance guy visited house and decided that the water was from a slow leak under a sink, therefore not covered, as it would be a maintenance issue. We don't know yet if that is the case, as the wall has not been opened up, but I.G.'s response so far is, No Insurance Help. We just got the estimate from Contractor #1. While we were looking at it, Contractor #2 called and cancelled the appointment, saying that they didn't want to come because #1 had already set up his fans, and that we should just use #1 without getting a second estimate Water damage restoration Houston. So . . . we think we should get a second estimate for such major work. I wonder . . . Is it common for these companies to overcharge? Are the fans their main profit, and is that why Company #2 is no longer interested? Should we let this company (which has already lied to us at least once) do the work, despite not having a second estimate, feeling that this estimate may be excessive, seeing from reviews that they go way beyond their estimates, and being generally unhappy with their aggressive approach? Should we find a contractor to do the rebuilding (this one just rips out) and have that person also do the ripping out?

thanks in advance for any help