The Process
What to Expect
1. Inspection and Site Assessment
When you call BuildBak the first thing we do is arrange a site inspection. During the site visit, a BuildBak Project Manager gathers all the info needed to create your reconstruction plan. We take measurements, determine building material quality and quantities, identify building code upgrade requirements and look out for potential items that might delay reconstruction so we can minimize issues from the start. When you sign an authorization allowing us to work directly with your insurance company we can expedite the reconstruction process. Once given the authorization, we start building out a reconstruction plan that details every damaged element of your home, down to the square foot.
2. We Create a Reconstruction Plan
We leverage our extensive construction and insurance claims knowledge to document your damages in a way that an ordinary contractor or drying contractor cannot. We look to ensure our initial plan minimizes the need to request any supplemental charges to the insurance company to ensure a timely reconstruction process, but supplements do happen.
Having a highly detailed plan provides critical protection to the insured and differentiates us from other contractors. A regular contractor that isn’t experienced in insurance claims won’t be able to provide a scope of work with enough detail to protect the insured in the event supplemental funds are needed to finish the project. If the initial plan has any ambiguities there is the risk the adjuster will deny the supplement on the basis that the requested change was already included in the initial estimate provided.
Based on our extensive reconstruction experience, we can have a detailed reconstruction plan prepared for the insurance company within the first 24-48 hours of our visit (up to 7 days for complex projects). This is one of the fastest turn around times in the business and we always let you know what to expect during our site visit.
the Buildbak Difference
We know and care about acclimation times, job phasing, and general conditions that impact your life and the rebuild. We know what makes one material better or worse than another.
We know and understand how insurance companies evaluate building materials and we make sure all parties are treating the rebuild process fairly and accurately.
We pay attention to details that others miss. Were your cabinets made of plywood or particle board? If so, what thickness? Do they have dovetail construction? What type of drawer and door hardware is needed?
In our line of work, no home or building is truly “off-the-shelf”. Even if some products in your home were available and in-stock, there are specific construction protocols and guidelines to be followed for the most professional, longest-lasting finish.
3. The plan is sent to the insurance company for approval
The completed plan is sent over to your insurance adjuster for review. We work with your insurance adjuster to address any concerns that may have about what we are proposing to do. This may require some back and forth and additional explanation of why certain things need to happen. Insurance adjusters aren’t construction professionals so we translate what is needed into a format they understand. Once an agreement is reached on scope of work, we coordinate with you to start repairs.
While we submit our estimates very quickly to the insurance company, we cannot control how long it takes them to conduct their review.
4. Begin Reconstruction Services
Your Project Manager will ask you to sign our Long Form agreement with the agreed scope — this is required by state law prior to starting work. They will also will discuss the project timeline, job phasing details, material selections and logistics. We will schedule crews to begin work as soon as possible, and convenient for you. On small to medium projects we can generally start within 3-5 days of receiving approval from the insurance company.
5. We stay in touch until all work is complete
As work progresses, we may move crews around based on material availability to ensure your project is completed as quickly as possible, even if this results in additional costs to us.
For example, we recently worked in a commercial office space where two floors were affected. The lower level required extensive electrical and mechanical work which added complexity and time to the rebuild. The upper level was more cosmetic and could be finished first. Our finishing crews painted the walls on the second floor so that space could be immediately occupied, before electrical and mechanical were finished on the first floor, thereby reducing loss of use and business income for the second floor space.
Customers Rave About Our Project Managers
Our building had a leak on the top floor of our brownstone, and within a couple of hours, the leak permeated throughout the entire building, affecting 4 different units. Ed Hamel himself arrived the next day to inspect the damage. He put us all at ease, offering us an incredibly detailed estimate within 48 hrs, and being open and honest about what could be repaired vs replaced. Ed Hamel is a true professional, and runs a fine tuned operation focused on transparency and relentless customer service. He was personable and easy to talk to, and he treated all unit owners with the utmost respect and understanding. His crew did a fantastic job restoring our units to their original condition, and they worked seamlessly with our insurance adjuster. I feel so strongly about this experience, that today I submitted my very first Yelp review!! Hamel comes highly recommended!!
6. Work is complete!
Once the project scope and final walkthrough are complete, we submit our final invoice, proof of deposit/installment payments and photos to both you and the insurance company.
On property damage claims, insurance companies generally hold a portion of the funds until the repairs are complete and an invoice has been presented by the contractor (this is often referred to as “recoverable depreciation” or the “holdback”).
The insurance company releases this final portion of payment to you (to pay us) once it is demonstrated that not only the repairs are complete, but also that you have paid your full deductible and you have paid all funds they provided in the first installment. We present canceled checks as proof of payment receipts for this reason.
7. Get back to life in your restored space
Our goal through the entire process is to get you back to normal life as soon as possible. We pride ourselves on speed and high-quality work.
I can't recommend BuildBak enough. I was referred to Matt to rebuild my bathroom from another company that I had used to dry it out due to it being flooded. Everything needed to be taken out - floors, walls, etc.
From start to finish Matt & his Project Manager John were professional, helpful, and understanding of my stresses and concerns. John was helpful with recommendations to help me decide on things such as tile, fixtures and a new tub. They went above and beyond, working late everyday & on Saturdays knowing I had to stay in a hotel while all of this was going on due to only having one bathroom. They ended up finishing ahead of schedule which was amazing. My bathroom looks incredible and I'm so grateful that I got referred to BuildBak. I've already referred a few people their way for future projects!
In April, my apartment was completely destroyed by water damage due to a bad roofing job. Servpro had to come in and strip the place down to the studs. Matt Hamel and his crew came storming in the day after Servpro left and rebuilt this place BETTER than it was before. Matt was always clear and transparent about costs, add-ons, schedule, and everything. He was understanding when the insurance company gave me issues and was very professional.
BuildBak was the only pleasant part of the whole water damage repair process. They were quick, professional, responsive, available, and the apartment is breath-taking beyond words. The rebuilt all the drywall on the walls and ceilings, re-did the floors, and re-painted the entire apartment.
If you want a professional job done correctly, call Hamel. I have dealt with a lot of contractors for a variety of problems, he was far and away the best.
Cant say enough good things about this company. I recently suffered water damage in a unit I own in Boston. I am a Realtor and deal with contractors on a daily basis and I can honestly say it is rare to find someone as responsive, thorough and reliable.
They worked quickly because I had a tenant who could not stay in the unit. They did an excellent job and even showed up on 4th of July weekend(with a smile) to put up a smoke detector. They clearly have a business background because they are "reachable" and "responsive". They come when they say they are coming, on time, and do a fabulous job.
Absolutely refreshing to deal with such professionals.
