Fire, water and catastrophic damage reconstruction
Rebuilding a damaged building is a different discipline from building a new one. The structure is occupied or partially occupied, the existing conditions are unknown until they are opened, the insurance carrier is a stakeholder, and the schedule matters to people whose lives are on hold.
The estimate written in week one governs the entire project
On a loss of any size, the scope agreed early with the carrier determines what gets paid for later. Damage that was concealed at the time of the original estimate becomes a supplemental claim, and supplements are where reconstruction projects stall.
We approach the first inspection as an evidence gathering exercise, not a walk through. Concealed conditions are anticipated and flagged. Code upgrade triggers are identified before demolition rather than discovered at plan check. Smoke and odor migration is traced beyond the visibly burned area. Water is traced through the assembly rather than measured only at the surface.
Because this firm has spent decades on both sides of insurance estimating, including appraisal and umpire work, we know what documentation a carrier requires to approve a supplement and we produce it in that form the first time.
Loss types we reconstruct
- Structure fire and smoke damage
- Wildfire damage and total loss rebuild
- Plumbing failure, slab leak and supply line rupture
- Roof leak and storm driven water intrusion
- Flood and surface water inundation
- Sewage backup and category three water loss
- Wind, hail and falling tree damage
- Motor vehicle impact into structures
- Earthquake and earth movement damage
- Vandalism, theft and malicious damage
- Explosion and impact loss
- Collapse and structural failure
How a large loss rebuild proceeds
Secure and document
Board up, shoring, temporary weather protection and utility isolation, combined with full photographic documentation before anything is disturbed.
Investigate concealed damage
Selective demolition to determine the true extent of fire, smoke, water and structural damage beyond the visible area.
Scope and estimate
Written repair scope and line item estimate, reconciled against the carrier estimate where a claim is involved, with code upgrades identified.
Permits and approvals
Design professional coordination where required, plan check submittal, permit issuance and, for associations, board and architectural approval.
Reconstruction
Structural repair, envelope restoration, mechanical, electrical and plumbing repair, and finish work, phased around occupancy where the building remains in use.
Inspection and closeout
Final building department inspection, punch list completion, warranty documentation and a closeout package the owner can hand to a future buyer.
What to do in the first forty eight hours
- Secure the property and stop ongoing damage, but do not begin repairs
- Photograph everything before any cleanup, including areas you assume are undamaged
- Report the claim promptly and record the claim number and adjuster contact
- Keep every damaged item until the carrier has inspected or released it
- Retain receipts for emergency expenses and temporary living costs
- Get an independent scope before agreeing to the carrier estimate
- Do not sign a work authorization that assigns your claim benefits away
For carriers and adjusters
We are equally accustomed to working from the carrier side, and we understand that an accurate scope early is cheaper for everyone than a contested supplement later.
On assignment we provide independent scope verification, reconstruction cost estimates on large and complex losses, evaluation of contractor supplements, code upgrade coverage analysis, and reconstruction performed under our own license where the insured elects it.
Large loss to rebuild?
Get an independent scope before agreeing to any estimate. The scope written in week one governs everything that follows.
- Direct(619) 464-3997
- Toll Free(800) 619-4833
- Office7777 Alvarado Road, Suite 408A
La Mesa, CA 91942 - LicenseCSLB #345079