picking contractor to repair

[Mark Forest]

I have already written in another post how a broken water pipe caused wall, floor, and ceiling damage to my beautiful 1930's style home. The abatement/demo phase is over and I need to get this house back together. Unfortunatly the house is insured at actual value less depreciation. The house is over 70  years old.

The insurance adjustor says to just pick one contractor and he will work  with him on cost. Well that may be good for Allstate, but isint it in my best interest to find a good contractor at best price? Allstate said they still do not have numbers less depreciation yet.

Also it seems like there are two kinds of contractors. One who just deals with the insursance company and hires out work, and other just straight up companies that do the work directly. The first kind claim they use the same computer program the insurance co. uses so I get a better deal.

I am getting confused.