One of the stress-inducing parts of having to deal with water damage as a homeowner, is the hassle of hiring a water damage specialist. The work that needs to be done is strenuous, time consuming, tedious, and the process can be very challenging for some homeowners. There are times when there is a lot of money invested in to the hiring process, and so it is understandable why some would feel frustration when things don’t fall in to place together, especially with a potentially hazardous situation on hands. To mitigate and make the process smoother, please read the guidelines below.
Understanding how progress can be measured:
As most homeowners are not professional restoration specialists, chances are you would be unaware of the technical details of restoration work. One aspect of this is not being able to differentiate progress from stagnation. Even when all of the equipment is ready and set up, it might take a few days to completely remove any and all traces of the water droplets. During this time, it is likely the specialist won’t come to the home. And while it makes sense why you would see that as laziness, it is actually just the specialist prioritizing time where needed.
One important thing you need for the process of restoration to fly by smoothly is to maintain a cordial and friendly relationship with the specialist. If you feel that the specialist isn’t providing the time to the home or the damages that you require from them, you can actually ask them for an explanation on their whereabouts and the degree of progress achieved. Although you have every right to ask these questions, it is best to do so in a friendly tone rather than an accusatory one, as that would only place more strain on the relationship.
Reassessments of the project’s details:
Even though it may seem like this is not the case, it is actually very common for the specialist to make several reassessments as the project is carried out. Some parts of the damages that need to be considered in the final estimate cannot be assessed in the earlier stages of reconstruction work. It is only when you remove the carpet and inspect the flooring, for example, that you will check the state of the underfloor area. An estimate isn’t definite, so if you have any queries, you can easily consult with the specialist.
Filing for claims with your insurance company:
It’s a good idea to delay the finalization of the settlement on your insurance claim until after all of the reconstruction is completed. If you settle the claim too soon, your estimate may be off, which may cost you money later on. Also, if the company needs any documentation of the whole restoration method, make sure that the specialist is aware and is knowledgeable of all the requirements to get your claim filed at the right time.
Working when things are just going wrong:
Sometimes, you will encounter a specialist who you will just not get along with. The best way to resolve this is to talk with them yourself, and sort out any differences that you feel are causing the problems. If you have concerns, simply redirect them to the contract and once you agree on something, don’t hold a grudge.
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