Contractor did not keep Dry Log now might come after us

[cobrashells]

Hello! We had a tree go through our son's bedroom ceiling back in August and a mitigation contractor was contacted. Mitigation work officially completed as of Oct 8th 2024. They are still attempting to negotiate with insurance as of 12/21/24 because they had their dehumidifier and air purifying units running for 41 days with no supporting dry logs to substantiate legitimate reason for running equipment that long. Insurance is paying out 13 days and is willing to offer more if dry logs are submitted. They don't exist. I was here every single day of the equipment running and not a single person came to obtain readings. I can see in the emails between the contractor and insurance that the contractor has threatened to come after us for the balance not paid out by insurance. They cannot threaten a mechanics lien due to 60 days having already passed, but I would love to know my rights should I need to take it to court. From my readings of the IICRC S500, dry logs are required. They haven't contacted us yet; I'm just preparing for the worst ($20k they are attempting to collect) but hoping for the best.

 

[Cleanworks]

Hello! We had a tree go through our son's bedroom ceiling back in August and a mitigation contractor was contacted. Mitigation work officially completed as of Oct 8th 2024. They are still attempting to negotiate with insurance as of 12/21/24 because they had their dehumidifier and air purifying units running for 41 days with no supporting dry logs to substantiate legitimate reason for running equipment that long. Insurance is paying out 13 days and is willing to offer more if dry logs are submitted. They don't exist. I was here every single day of the equipment running and not a single person came to obtain readings. I can see in the emails between the contractor and insurance that the contractor has threatened to come after us for the balance not paid out by insurance. They cannot threaten a mechanics lien due to 60 days having already passed, but I would love to know my rights should I need to take it to court. From my readings of the IICRC S500, dry logs are required. They haven't contacted us yet; I'm just preparing for the worst ($20k they are attempting to collect) but hoping for the best.

Some companies use remote monitoring for their drying equipment. No need to personally come to the job. 41 days seems quite excessive unless it was still receiving moisture or there was a reason they couldn't remove wet portions. Sounds more like you need some legal advice. Things like, did you hire the restoration company or did the insurance company hire them. That may make a difference.

 

[Living The Dream]

Hello! We had a tree go through our son's bedroom ceiling back in August and a mitigation contractor was contacted. Mitigation work officially completed as of Oct 8th 2024. They are still attempting to negotiate with insurance as of 12/21/24 because they had their dehumidifier and air purifying units running for 41 days with no supporting dry logs to substantiate legitimate reason for running equipment that long. Insurance is paying out 13 days and is willing to offer more if dry logs are submitted. They don't exist. I was here every single day of the equipment running and not a single person came to obtain readings. I can see in the emails between the contractor and insurance that the contractor has threatened to come after us for the balance not paid out by insurance. They cannot threaten a mechanics lien due to 60 days having already passed, but I would love to know my rights should I need to take it to court. From my readings of the IICRC S500, dry logs are required. They haven't contacted us yet; I'm just preparing for the worst ($20k they are attempting to collect) but hoping for the best.

As @Cleanworks mentioned above companies like Drieaz and Phoenix both offer remote monitoring.

It's also not uncommon for insurance companies to try and screw water damage companies out of money. You almost always have to fight for your money.

Any idea if the water damage company was using Xactimate?

 

[BIG WOOD]

Is there a charge to monitor the drying equipment every day? If there’s no charge for that service on the invoice, they have no evidence to charge for 41 days. You have the authority to pay them for just the 13 days the insurance company offered.

 

[Nomad74]

Chavez would be helpful here.