Most of you know know that insurance companies are requiring their adjusters to use Xactimate to figure claims. Has anyone ever asked why?

OSHA Inspections in the Construction Sector Spring of 2015

I have been debating whether or not to write this article but after this week I feel I must. Homeowners are getting low ball incomplete estimates and contractors are being told they have to accept Insurance Industry backed Exactimate pricing. 

Last week at the Insurance Claim Workshop at National Lumber (Mansfield, Mass) several contractors brought in copies of low insurance claim estimates. One estimate showed $8,000 for repairs while the real damage is over $40,000.00.

After our workshop I received numerous calls about incomplete claim offers that left out damage that was in plain view.  On Friday, I was asked to help a contractor's client in the Concord, Ma area deal with a ridiculously low estimate. The job will require ripping out outside walls and ceilings in 7 rooms, including a kitchen and bathroom. They will have to move out for this work. The insurance offered $25,000 and the actual repairs will be over $60,000.00 for same condition and code upgrade will be $15,000-$20,000.00.

I spoke with a contractor client today and he said he was able to convince an insurance adjuster to increase the initial storm damage claim offer by $35,000.00. Yes you read that right...$35,000.00.

The recent February storms and cold spell in Massachusetts has caused thousands of storm damage insurance claims. Once the snow and ice give way to spring and the claims are settled, contractors will start the renovations to repair these homes. Much of the work will involve working up on roofs and sides of homes where contractors will use various forms of ladders and staging.

In good faith you sign the insurance policy application and pay the premium thinking you will be protected if you sustain severe storm, water, flood or fire damage. The time comes and you have damage. You file a claim and you think you are covered per the policy and then you discover after months or years that you have been screwed by the very insurance company who you trusted.

An OSHA Regional Administrator asked me to share information about recent falls through skylights and let people know they need to follow the OSHA Fall Protection standards when working on roofs. If you do not know what you are responsible for you need to train your people and yourself before exposure to fall hazards. Contractors are reporting that they are having there jobs shut down if they do not have fall protection even on flat roofs.