Few months ago I bought a new house with finished basement. One day overnight due to wind storm and rain in the area electricity outage happened for 6hrs. I was going to sleep but then thought to check basement. When I went down till then there was no water and I just realized that sump pump in corner wouldn’t run without electricity and there was no battery but I assumed that electricity will be back and it will be fine but within half an hour before I left basement water started overflowing from sump pump. I was afraid and called local fire station and they didn’t do anything and then I called insurance they suggested to get help of any water restriction and insurance will take care. I asked preferred vendor but lady on phone said you can use anyone available. I had never been in situation because it is my 1st home. I called restoration company and they assured to reach within 2 hrs. By the time basement had 2-4 inch water and started flowing on carpets. My fear started about ruining off basement but thank God electricity resumed and water was pump offed by sump but carpet got completely wet. And then after an hour restoration guy appeared and helped removing water from carpet using a machine and said as soon as I start work it will avoid mound deposits so I thought it’s right to do immediately he left after 1.5 hrs And then next day again his colleague appeared and put fans and dehumidifier and said it will remove entire water from wet carpet. And then 2nd day another person visited for inspection and said they need to remove padding. Meanwhile I received call from insurance saying some adjuster will visit to check eligibility for coverage and I asked restoration guy about expenses he said you will get it after work but suggested not to worry as it wouldn’t cost more . I also thought it’s not much work so will be done in few hundred or thousands dollars. Then 3rd day adjuster visited and later provided estimates of $2.3k that was somewhat I was ok with and meanwhile one dehumidifiers and 4/5 fans were continuously running in basement so far 5 days passed . I realized that carpets were completely dried and called restoration guy to remove them if not required. He promised to visit but didn’t visit another 2 days and I called him couple of times asking to remove dehumidifier and fans thinking that might be increasing my electricity bills. But he didn’t showed up and then on 7th day morning I asked him if he is not getting time I can switch off dehumidifier and fans because it was completely dry and he agreed. Finally someone visited on 8th day and removed fans and dehumidifier and suggested me to sign a digital paper saying it just says you are satisfied with our work. I just signed because my basement was really dried. I asked him also about bills . He said don’t worry sir we don’t charge more and will directly deal with insurance you don’t need to worry for anything. Then after 3/4 months I heard from insurance that billing company have sent a bill for same claim for $15000 and I was covered only for $5000 with $1000 copay. Since then I am trying to understand why restoration company have charged me this much . I asked them they sent me multiple pages of detailed bill which is again having charges that I don’t even think in my dream. They are asking me to pay entire rest of 10k after insurance. I don’t have that much money and even if I have I don’t want to pay this much for small water removal. If I would have known the coat I could have done by myself or with this much money I could have renovated my entire basement . I completely feel that I have been cheated and restoration company is looting me. need suggestions and options I have . I am so upset that not able to sleep . Luckily by googling got this foram to ask question so posting my query. Please please suggest

Thank you in advance

Wilmington, Delaware

0 Votes