VR Restoration Residential Restoration FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Typically, restoration is done to repair a home or building damaged by water, fire, wind or vandalism. When these repairs are paid by insurance, the scope of work is written to restore the property to its condition before the damage. This means, damaged materials will be removed and replaced with products of like kind and quality.

Who is responsible for choosing and paying the contractor?
It’s up to you to choose a contractor and it is good practice to choose one with experience in the particular type of loss repair you need performed. It is also a good idea to bring the contractor in to provide an estimate BEFORE the adjuster settles the claim so any discrepancies can be resolved quickly. The timing of payments to you from your insurance company varies depending on the size of the loss. Smaller losses are often settled quickly with a check being issued directly to the policyholder. On larger losses, the insurance company is required to name your lender on the draft; this puts the mortgage company in control of the insurance proceeds and disbursements. However, it is your responsibility to arrange for the contractor to receive payments according to the draw schedule outlined in your contract for repairs. 

What if I don’t want to fix the damage?
If there is a mortgage on the home or building, property owners are often obligated by their mortgage company to make the appropriate repairs in order to minimize risk for future damage. It is recommended that you contact your mortgage company to verify any specific requirements such as progress inspections, lien waivers from the contractor, etc.

Who chooses materials?
Because insurance pays to replace products and materials with like kind and quality, we estimate the repairs using materials identical to those that were damaged. However, this is not always possible and comparable items may need to be chosen. If this is the case and the cost is more than the agreed upon estimate allows, insurance companies will cover the cost to replace the item or material as available. The adjuster will need to be notified of the difference in advance.It is your choice whether to have our representatives chose comparable products or to do the legwork yourself. When choosing products, keep in mind that the scope only covers items of comparable value; more expensive items can be used but will be charged separately with proper authorization and a signed change order. Any additional expense will not be covered by insurance.

What if I want to make changes to the scope of work?
The scope of work will be written to return your home or building to its original condition. However, some property owners choose to use this opportunity to make some changes or additions to their property. Any alterations to the scope of work will need to be estimated separately and will not be covered by insurance.