Walkout Basement Baptism

[dcyrilc]

Well, the insurance company has given us a preliminary check based on the adjuster's report. I truly believe it is a fair evaluation. It includes new carpet and painting the whole room, but I don't think paint will be necessary. My baseboard is 2-1/2 tall rough cedar and it will go right back onto the wall except in one location where the wall is covered by furniture and a cabinet, and it won't matter. We have $1000 deductible and that was deducted from the check. When I send photos and receipts for the rest of the job, they will cut me another check. I also will forward them the dewatering company's bill and they will pay all of that (about $1100).

Next week, I'll get a carpet company out to give me an estimate on the carpet. I also plan to install a freestanding woodburning stove into one corner of the basement. I talked to one stove company yesterday, and want to find at least one other for comparison. Because of the mess with that installation, I'd probably be better off to get that done before installing new carpet. In the meantime, moving furniture around (including a full slate pool table) is the major issue. I'm thinking of having a PODS delivered and used to store the furniture, but will wait to hear what the carpet guy says he needs.

I have no complaints about the insurance company. They have been very helpful and courteous. I'm guessing their final payout will be $3000 or less. That's not a big check. I've been a customer for 10 years and this represents about two year's premiums. They're still way ahead in this game.

Sounds like yours ended up pretty cheap. We'll see how we fair with State Farm. I came home Tuseday night from work to a house fire. Wasn't bad, pretty much just the sofa/sectional. We had a reptile terrarium which sat on one of the chair sections and the terrarium heater shorted out and caught fire. I came home just in time. The fire department felt another 15-20 minutes and we could have lost the whole house. I priced an equivilent sectional the other day at $8900.:confused2: Glad we have replacement value insurance. I paid $4200 for the sectional 19 years ago.

 

[JB4310]

I have no complaints about the insurance company. They have been very helpful and courteous. I'm guessing their final payout will be $3000 or less. That's not a big check. I've been a customer for 10 years and this represents about two year's premiums. They're still way ahead in this game.

Glad to hear it should work out OK for you, Homeowners insurance for the most part is fair, you hear horror stories once in awhile, but on average their pretty decent. That stove should make a nice comfy addition to the room.

Sounds like yours ended up pretty cheap. We'll see how we fair with State Farm. I came home Tuseday night from work to a house fire. Wasn't bad, pretty much just the sofa/sectional. We had a reptile terrarium which sat on one of the chair sections and the terrarium heater shorted out and caught fire. I came home just in time. The fire department felt another 15-20 minutes and we could have lost the whole house. I priced an equivilent sectional the other day at $8900.:confused2: Glad we have replacement value insurance. I paid $4200 for the sectional 19 years ago.

What a difference 15 minutes could make, just being out a sofa or being homeless. Man that was lucky!

But $8,900. for a couch? I guess I haven't been in the furniture stores for awhile, or at least not the stores you shop in

JB.

 

[Obed]

What a difference 15 minutes could make, just being out a sofa or being homeless. Man that was lucky!

But $8,900. for a couch? I guess I haven't been in the furniture stores for awhile, or at least not the stores you shop in

JB.

Wow, that's more than the cars I drive.
Obed

 

[Western]

Jim,

What are you going to put under the stove?

 

[dcyrilc]

What a difference 15 minutes could make, just being out a sofa or being homeless. Man that was lucky!

But $8,900. for a couch? I guess I haven't been in the furniture stores for awhile, or at least not the stores you shop in

JB.

I like quality. Can't usually afford it any more, but I still like it. Our sectional was about the highest quality made when I bought it back in '92. Our adjuster asked me if we bought it last year or the year before. They were suprised when I informed them that it was 19 years old. The cool part is that it was is still under warrenty. Too bad they don't warrenty fire damage.:laughing:

 

[yooper jim]

Wow....... I sure don't want my wife reading this. I think I could refurnish most of my house for that, but I still think a 3/4 ton pickup should be less than $2000. :laughing:

 

[Obed]

Wow....... I sure don't want my wife reading this.

That's exactly what I was thinking. We just moved into our new house and have almost no furniture in the living room. I've encouraged my wife to find used furniture on Craig's list. I'm looking for couch and loveseat for around $300. You guys don't think I'm cheap do you?
Obed

 

[Bird]

That's exactly what I was thinking. We just moved into our new house and have almost no furniture in the living room. I've encouraged my wife to find used furniture on Craig's list. I'm looking for couch and loveseat for around $300. You guys don't think I'm cheap do you?
Obed

When we bought our first house (1968), after living in a furnished apartment, I knew of a place in Dallas that sold new, used, antique, and junk furniture. The owner also ran estate sales, which is where he got a lot of the stuff. So we furnished the whole house from that store.

Are you cheap? Maybe so, but I think you're smart.

I would never buy anything like what dcyrilc bought, but if a sofa lasted 19 years, he liked it, and could afford it, I say more power to him.

 

[jinman]

That's exactly what I was thinking. We just moved into our new house and have almost no furniture in the living room. I've encouraged my wife to find used furniture on Craig's list. I'm looking for couch and loveseat for around $300. You guys don't think I'm cheap do you?
Obed

Hey! I have a fun idea. Let's all look for our favorite pieces of furniture on craigslist and post links for Obed. I think he needs a deep pile shag rug, a disco ball, and some bright purple and green furniture.

animal print

purple shelf

yellow chairs

great purple couch

HEY LET"S ALL HELP OUR BUDDY, OBED.:laughing::laughing::laughing:

 

[rrrkkk]

I'm also sorry about your flooded basement.

Being a waterproofing contractor I've seen it all, you mentioned stepping off the bottom step, A guy I worked for said he had water up to his top step!

I can tell you most people who have the one time flood as you have don't have to replace the carpet, they can dry it with fans and dehumidifiers. They will lift it to blow the fans under it, with no pad it would dry in pretty short order and would have no damage.

In your case you will probably want the drywall replaced up to 12" or so and need the wood trim replaced if it's stained, so the rug would have to be removed to facilitate that work. If insurance covers everything, great, you go that route. But I've seen more times than not where homes have had that much water and they don't even call insurance company, just dry it out and life goes on.

Mold or mildew need a cellulose base material to grow, wood frame and the paper on the drywall are areas of concern. Most likely with a one time occurrence like that you wouldn't have to worry but in certain environments especially down south, dangerous molds can grow.
There is a spray on material that could be applied inside the walls as opposed to cutting out the drywall to replace it.

I'm curious how the insurance company will handle your case, most likely they will cover everything, home owners adjusters are usually pretty liberal, often they are paid based on a percentage of the claim, talk about conflict of interest.

Good Luck, JB

As a retired insurance adjuster of 57 years, you have no clue how adjusters are paid. There is no % paid. Adjusters are paid a salary.