I need design help. What do I look for?

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

After 10 long months my insurer has started to free-up some money to restore my fire damaged triplex. I had a garage fire that smoldered for an hour and severely smoke damaged 2 of the units and the 3 car garage. Everything needs to be gutted and the 4 bathrooms/2 kitchens will be restored theoretically as is because the insurance is doling out the money as we go. I'll have to fight for every dime I'm sure. I'd like some guidance on the key finish details, including tile selection to make it more sophisticated and high-end. On top of that my city now allows us to convert garages into rental units so if I was ever going to convert the 550 sqft garage to a studio, now is the time since it is gutted.

So do I need an architect or interior designer and draftsperson? Do they do a flat fee? How much should I expect to pay? Obviously my insurer won't contribute to any design services and my finances are strained because my rental income has been interrupted but I'd still like to try to do this.

Featured Answer

Beth H. :

5 years ago

last modified: 5 years ago

my husband is a GC and does exactly what you need. Fire/flood restoration w/insurance companies. (are you in So Cal by chance?)

however, if you want to upgrade, you will have to put in your own money.

as for the garage conversion, you will need a GC to file permits and any drawings.

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Comments (7)

kathyg_in_mi
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
Hire an insurance adjuster!
Paul F. thanked kathyg_in_mi
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Paul F.
Original Author
5 years ago
The insurance company has admitted that I have a big problem and says they will fix it but I just need to justify everything. I just finally need to prepare myself for the restoration details and make some property enhancing changes where I can. Just not sure where to start.
Beth H. :
5 years ago
gimme a min,,,ill check
Paul F. thanked Beth H. :
Beth H. :
5 years ago
last modified: 5 years ago
hire a contractor that's familiar w/fire/flood, and knows how to deal w/insurance companies.

Have him write you an estimate that covers everything. down to removing a sink, molding, electrical plates, ,,,blah blah (because insurance companies overlook that and those little jobs all add up)

so the contractor will need to be familiar in dealing w/insurance companies. the contract will submit the estimate to the insurance, the insurance will barter and come back w/ X amount. contractor will advise them "well you missed this and that, so I need This amount". insurance will come back again w/number. back and forth they go. The contractor needs to know how insurance works. There is also a set standard of what the contractor can change you for everything so no need to worry that he's going to gauge on something like drywall or electrical.

(oh, and you will also need a company that hires a "Pack out" company. They will pack up any items move them to storage while the smoke is cleaned from the units. they can sometimes use an ozone treatment to remove smoke from furniture. ) don't know if the ins. co. allowed the pack-out company portion. (if you need it)

for the garage conversion, I'd have the contractor write you a separate contract for that. he will submit any plans to the city. if there was smoke damage, include that portion in w/the insurance, but anything w/the upgrade have him do a separate contract w/you
Paul F. thanked Beth H. :
john3582
5 years ago
What Beth said. Also we had to get a storage locker for after the things we saved were restored. The restoration place did not want to store them.
It was like the most complicated board game you have ever played with real money.
I would also look at fire sprinklers. Our contractor said we didn't really want them. We begged to differ.
Paul F. thanked john3582
Paul F.
Original Author
5 years ago
Thanks for the input I appreciate it. I think I have all the pieces in place. What I'm looking for is someone to help not only with space planning the ADU but with architectural details that I might miss otherwise... would that be an interior designer or architect. As I said it would have to be a flat fee and not a percentage.