The current estimate arrived and it’s not good at all

I heard from our adjuster last night and also received the current estimate via email. I say current estimate because until the tree is gone, he can’t tally the rest of the damage.

Basically, at this point we’re not looking good at all, not even a little.

At this point in time, I’m dealing with a total payout of about $1,000, and plus I get the chance to bless a random contractor and whoever did the marketing for construction companies near me. It’s important to understand that this is supposed to cover everything that has been currently inspected.

That $1,000 has to cover the cut up and removal of the enormous branch in the yard, damaged siding, about 80 feet of gutter and broken cedar fence.

The damage to the house alone is estimated to be at least $1,600 by the contractor I had look at it. He’s a family friend, with a highly reputable family business and understands what we’re up against. His estimate includes simply fixing what can be fixed and replacing the rest.

Insurance has estimated about $500 to simply remove the debris once it’s cut up. I’ve had someone from a very large tree service tell me I’m looking at about $600 – $1,000 minimum, to have the fallen part of the tree cut up.

The good news is that whatever the damage to the roof and related area amounts to, will be added to the $1,000 payout that we currently are looking at.

The bad news is that we’re going to have at least $1,000 out of pocket expense and there’s really no corners that can be cut. I have zero chance of coming up with that at this point, especially as the holidays are quickly approaching.

I’m trying not to panic but I’m up against a clock here and let’s be honest, I’m already in over my head with everyday life.

We have cold weather making its way and the insurance guy explained that any water damage caused as a result of delayed repairs will not be covered. I’m not entirely sure how we’d be able to decern the difference between damage the occurred after a certain date and that leads me to believe it would be open to interpretation. That means insurance may see it one way and I may see it another. I’ll likely be on the losing end of that one.

I’m overwhelmed and it’s taking everything I have not to just say fuck it and leave everything as it is.

I’ve already got ten million other things that I’m worrying about.

As bad as we are going to get it on this claim, we’re so lucky that it isn’t any worse than it is. With so many people’s lives destroyed by the recent hurricanes, we are truly lucky. My heart goes out to everyone who’s been impacted in that way.

Rob Gorski

Full time, work from home single Dad to my 3 amazing boys. Oh...and creator fo this blog. :-)
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kimmy gebhardt

Instead of letting it stress you out so much be proactive. Make a list of what needs to be addressed in order of priority and then break down what you can do yourself. Surely your father or Lizze’s has a chainsaw that you could borrow to get the tree cut up. I know it’s a large limb but it can be done piece by piece- I’ve had to do the same thing myself and it sucks but it’s doable. Then the fence. If it’s the small picket-ish fence out front, go to Home Depot and get a section and nail it up. Or even some chicken wire (if the issue is keeping Ruby in the yard). The harder parts will obviously be the gutter and siding so use the insurance money for those things. If there is any money leftover, get the tree pruned. Judging from the pics the limb that fell was live so the tree might still be okay. You’ve been putting off the raccoon damage in the attic- go buy a Tyvek suit, a mask, and some gloves and get to it. On the bright side, maybe having the gutters fixed will take care of the hole where the raccoons were getting in. Lemonade!

Maria Hall

I bet you could offer that tree free to anyone willing to cut and haul away and it would be gone in a day at no cost to you.

Suzanne Olsen

It’s not the tree that is the issue- it’s the damage the storm and the trees have done to their house.

Maria Hall

Suzanne Olsen yes I get that. But the tree removal is also a huge expense. At least issuing it free to someone that can use it next season for their wood burner frees up that number to use for the house. Also Canton has an arborist and might have limited finding for that as well.

Cindy Jones

Not sure how insurance works there, but in my experiences, the adjuster comes to access the damage and then typically you get two (approved by your insurance ) contractor estimates based on what the adjuster deems the damage to be,. As an adjuster here just assesses the damage and the cause to ascertain what and if is covered under your policy. I hope all goes well for you and you get covered what you need fixed.