Fire in my rental house

[Missy]

I had fire in one of my rental house in the middle of decemeber.
I was out of town so , I filed the claim when I got back after Christmas. Thankfully, nobody was hurt but the house has extensive damage. Possible total gut job even though the kitchen is only one that was completely damage.

I am running into few issues and need expartise from people who have gone through this process:
- I had several call from public adjuster looking to represent me. Their cost is 10% or whatever Insurance will pay.
- I spoke to multiple general contractors specialized in fire damage. I got one estimate already. Getting another one soon.
The first estimate that I have received is quite high.
I am expecting to get the numbers from the Insurance adjuster sometime next week.
So - what should I do if the there is big gap between the insurance numbers and the numbers the contractors are giving me?
Should I hire the PA to discuss that with the Insurance adjuster? or should I handle that myself if I feel their cooperating.

TIA

[thyme4change]

Bummer - I'm sorry to hear about this. I don't know anything abou it, but if I were you, I would wait until I get the information from the Insurance adjuster. If it is close, I would try and work with your insurance company. See how far you can get. If you feel like their estimate is way off and you are beating your head against the wall, I would consider a PA.

[8 Bit WWBG]

I did this dance when I had snowpocalypse damage. Here is how it went down.

1) I got the insurance company to come check out the damage. He did his look around, went to his van, and wrote me a check.

2) I had his preferred contractor come in to do their estimates. The agreement was that if the contractor found the job would cost a lot more, then insurance would pay the difference.

2a) I, being smarter than most, made it clear that I would prefer to receive the money, and THEN have the contractor do the work, rather than the contractor bill the insurance company. I verified that this was OK.

3) Contractor came in and surprise surprise, estimated $2k more than insurance had. Insurance wrote me an additional check, per our agreement.

4) With the money in hand, I then called the contractor back and changed the scope of the job (ex. walls did not need painting, but flashing needed to be done). The contractor was no longer interested as I'd cut out their highest profit fluff garbage, and fired me.

5) I got my favorite handyman to do the work just as well for 1/2 what insurance gave me. I used the rest for new hardwood and doors.

[Missy]

Thanks.. I never thought of using their preffered vendor to get estimate. That is great idea. Actually I am planning on asking them to cut the check for me and I will have my regular contractor do the work.

[ziyia]

We did something similar when our house flooded. The insurance gave us the money to have the hardwood floors refinished, walls repainted, etc. We did all the work ourselves for a fraction of the cost and used the rest for other improvements on the house.