CGC# 059274

“BUILDING CODE ISSUES AND THE RESTORATION CONTRACTOR”

The restoration of a property is sometimes accomplished with relatively smooth scheduling and production timeline, but often times, “building code” issues can add substantial delays to the project. The most common scenario that arises is when there is a fire or a flood in a kitchen of a home, which requires that the entire kitchen be replaced. In either scenario, the electrical wiring in the kitchen will need to be brought up to the current code.

If the home was built 20, 30, or 40 years ago, the electrical upgrades could be quite substantial. Recently, we replaced a kitchen that had been damaged by a water loss in the home. The entire kitchen was removed, and it was found that not only the wiring in the kitchen, but the sub panel in the kitchen, the main panel, the sub feed from the meter to the panel, and the exterior weatherhead, all had to be replaced.

These changes required that an engineer draw up a plan, the plan required permitting, and our preferred vendor electrician made the required changes. All of this required the blessing and written permission of the adjuster. The issue delayed the project for about three months. The cost of the upgrades and changes exceeded the cost of the replacement kitchen, but that is why there is a provision in most homeowner policies, that covers the cost of upgrading the dwelling due to code requirements. Most policies allow for 10% of the dwelling coverage for code upgrades, but many have a 25% code upgrade provision. Keep in mind, however, that this figure does not add to the limits of the policy, it just means that the dollar amount of the requirement, up to the specified percentage, would be included in the loss. If your policy does not state a provision for “Code and Ordinance”, it does not mean that the policy does not include it. “Code and Ordinance” is a state requirement in Florida, whether written in the standard homeowner’s policy or not. Restoration Xperts uses 15 + years of experience to deal with adjusters, permitting issues and complete final reconstruction for your benefit.

Although this particular project took far longer that the property owner was hoping for, the end product was a new and modernized kitchen that would pass the scrutiny of a perspective home inspector or buyer in the future, with regards to the wiring.

It might be tempting to avoid all of this by not pulling permits, and reinstalling the substandard wiring, but as a Certified General Contractor, Restoration Xperts does not take this route. If something were to happen at that property again in the future, this project could come back to us for not bringing this part of the home up to code, as well as for any damages that may have occurred.

In this particular case, the assigned adjuster was originally skeptical about the required upgrades, and challenged us every step of the way. When he finally realized that this was the required

“We put your life back together"1130 S. Powerline Road, Suite 101, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 561-RESTORE (737-8673),

Fax 954-725-7887www.restorationxperts.net

CGC# 059274

methodology, and that we were simply going to “do the right thing” he approved all of the additional work. Had we not gone out of our way on behalf of the homeowner, the outcome would be very different.

When hiring a company to do your property repairs, it is always best to be sure that they are licensed properly, and that the work being performed is permitted and upgraded as required by the building department. An agent for any properly licensed company should be able to provide you with proper documentation, including License Number, and insurance documents, for any work that they are proposing to do to your property.

Restoration Xperts, http://www.restorationxperts.net offers its “Mold Remediation” services to property owners in Broward, Dade, Martin and Palm Beach Counties in Florida. For quick help with your emergency 24/7, its’ crews are available to respond to water damage. We thank you for your business in the past and want to reach out to you for referrals in the future.

“LIKE” us on facebook at www.facebook.com/restorationxpertsflorida. Call us now for your free LOGO FRIDGE MAGNET at 561-RESTORE (737.8673) (1 per household, quantities limited). Keep in mind as we do have a cash referral program for you, the homeowner. Simply call 561.737.8673 for details and ask for the Director of Marketing. For ALL of your water damage, mold, wind and fire damage needs, the Restoration Xperts Team is ready to serve you!

“We put your life back together"1130 S. Powerline Road, Suite 101, Deerfield Beach, FL 33442 561-RESTORE (737-8673),

Fax 954-725-7887www.restorationxperts.net