Replacing Like for Like???

[Ohio_Frustrated]

We recently had severe water damage where a second floor toilet overflowed and the water ran out of the bowl overnight (about 5 hours). They considered this category 3 or black water and have gutted most of my house!

However, now that we are choosing the replacement parts, I am a bit confused as to how the insurance company determines what to replace it with. I was told they use a company to determine the quality of my flooring (vinyl and carpet) and countertops. But when it came to choosing my kitchen cabinets I was told that my solid wood cabinets were the "standard" for the time when the house was built (1968) and they want to replace them with the cheapest builder grade, furniture board cabinets available. Does this sound right? We are the second owners of the home and almost everything in the house was an upgrade when it was built, I can't imagine that my 3/4" solid wood cabinets were the "standard".

Also, our walls were plaster over the metal mesh. They want to replace with regular drywall. I have since read that plaster is less messy when it is being put up, structurally stronger, and noise reducing. Can I insist that they put this back the way it was or do I have to accept drywall since that is how they do it today?

I've been looking into a public insurance adjuster and think that I might have to resort to that. I hate to pay the extra money with all that we have already lost but I do want my home put back together the same quality that it was!

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Frustated - in - Ohio!

 

[Banned_Princess]

We recently had severe water damage where a second floor toilet overflowed and the water ran out of the bowl overnight (about 5 hours). They considered this category 3 or black water and have gutted most of my house!

However, now that we are choosing the replacement parts, I am a bit confused as to how the insurance company determines what to replace it with. I was told they use a company to determine the quality of my flooring (vinyl and carpet) and countertops. But when it came to choosing my kitchen cabinets I was told that my solid wood cabinets were the "standard" for the time when the house was built (1968) and they want to replace them with the cheapest builder grade, furniture board cabinets available. Does this sound right? We are the second owners of the home and almost everything in the house was an upgrade when it was built, I can't imagine that my 3/4" solid wood cabinets were the "standard".

Also, our walls were plaster over the metal mesh. They want to replace with regular drywall. I have since read that plaster is less messy when it is being put up, structurally stronger, and noise reducing. Can I insist that they put this back the way it was or do I have to accept drywall since that is how they do it today?

I've been looking into a public insurance adjuster and think that I might have to resort to that. I hate to pay the extra money with all that we have already lost but I do want my home put back together the same quality that it was!

Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated!
Frustated - in - Ohio!

Your plaster walls have a depreciated value of 0.00 so if you want plaster, tell them and they wont pay for it. no problem.


If the cabinets you had were standard in 1968 because they didn't have the same materials we have today.

when you say "replacement" do you mean the 'full replacement coverage", that restores your property to brand new ? or replacement in that they depreciate the value of your belongings and pay you that?




Maybe a public adjuster is the best option for you.

 

[Ohio_Frustrated]

Your plaster walls have a depreciated value of 0.00 so if you want plaster, tell them and they wont pay for it. no problem.


If the cabinets you had were standard in 1968 because they didn't have the same materials we have today.

when you say "replacement" do you mean the 'full replacement coverage", that restores your property to brand new ? or replacement in that they depreciate the value of your belongings and pay you that?




Maybe a public adjuster is the best option for you.

I'm pretty sure they had box cabinets in 1968 and mine were solid wood built on site when the home was built. We always thought they were oak but the adjuster is saying they were birch. The contracter that we went with, at the insurance co. suggestion, is saying "that is how they did it back then". I do agree that they didn't have the same materials that we have now. But, the company that they have given me to choose from (which is a lower quality, builder grade cabinet) does have a wood upgrade. It would by plywood as opposed to the maple that I have chosen, but at least it is real wood! I don't feel that I should have to pay to "upgrade" to my original wood cabinets. If that is what I had, shouldn't that be what they replace it with to the best of their ability? I am not asking for them to replace them with custom built cabinets, just something close to the same quality so that it might last for many more years!

As for the walls, the adjuster told me they would put up drywall because I wouldn't be able to find anyone to do plaster anymore!

From what I am understanding of my policy, I get full replacement coverage as long as I replace the item. I get depreciated value if I choose to take the cash. Which opens a whole bunch of other questions about my personal property that got ruined but I will deal with that later!

How do you go about finding a good public adjuster and are they really worth the money????

Frustrated - in - Ohio

 

[ecmst12]

I think you have a better chance of fighting the cabinet issue then the drywall issue. Pick your battles.

 

[ErinGoBragh]

There actually *ARE* homeowner's insurance policies like what the OP is talking about. When I lived in a house built in the 1910's with parquet flooring and mahagony walls, this is the type of insurance that we had. However, this type of insurance is expensive, and they individually assess the square footage- very accurately- of each type of material gone into the house. For a house built in 1968, I VERY much doubt that OP would have had this type of insurance, and all other posters would be correct if OP doesn't; it would be the depreciated value of the building materials and components used therein.

 

[moburkes]

Likely you DON'T have a functional replacement cost policy which allows the insurance company to replace your plaster with drywall, in exchange for a lower premium OR in exchange for a lower replacemnt cost (Coverage A) (which ends up as a lower premium). If your walls truly are plaster (which is surprising to me), I'd keep fighting that. I know nothing about cabinets, so I can't help you there.

 

[Ohio_Frustrated]

Thank you all for your help! I've taken all that has been said and done some more research.

I've also found out today that the adjuster IS going to give us the depreciated value of the plaster walls since they are going to put up the drywall instead. I would rather have the plaster but I am finding that it IS hard to find anyone to do it these days and I do want my house back together ASAP!

As for the cabinets, that is still up in the air. This has sure been a learning experience!

 

[Drymyspace]

If you do have replacement coverage on your policy the cabinets should be replaced to comprabale grade. So if you have a solid wood cabinet rated at standard grade that same level of cabinet should be installed. Even though cabinets in 1968 may have went for 20lf, they would now need to pay example: Good Grade Cabinet for are area is 159 lf. Custom cabinets should be replaced with custom and box with box.

Another Note:
Insurance companies have perferred vendors who agree to perform work at lower prices standards in exchange for work. They do not always look at for customers best intrest who is the insured not the insurance company.

Recommendation:
Use IICRC certified firms (usually independent companies not on perferred vendor programs) for a more personable experience.