The insurance adjuster came out four days later. A young man named Kyle, in a fleece vest, with an iPad and a moisture meter. He walked through the house for two hours, poking his meter into the walls, taking pictures, and saying “hmm” a lot.
When he was done, he stood in the driveway with Harold and Thomas and me.
“Okay. So the good news is, a sudden pipe burst is a covered loss under your homeowner’s policy. The bad news is, this is going to be a big job. We’re talking the ceilings, the floors, a lot of drywall, the furnace, electrical in the kitchen. And I’m seeing moisture readings in the walls that make me nervous about mold.”
“How long?” Harold shouted.
Kyle took a half step back. “I’d plan on eight to twelve weeks. Minimum.”
Twelve weeks. Okay. Three months. We could do three months.
Then the mold test came back positive.
Then the insurance company tried to say some of the mold was “pre-existing” and not covered. Thomas spent three weeks of evenings on the phone with them, and then hired a public adjuster, a tough retired woman named Bev, who charged ten percent of the claim and was worth every penny. Bev got the denial overturned in a month.
Then the contractor fell behind because of another job.
Then the special-order kitchen cabinets came in the wrong size.
Then the town building inspector found that the old electrical panel wasn’t up to code and the whole thing had to be replaced before they’d sign off.
Eight to twelve weeks turned into four months. Then five.
Then six.
Six months, my in-laws lived in our guest room.
Ethan Blake is a skilled Creative Content Specialist with a talent for crafting engaging and thought-provoking narratives. With a strong background in storytelling and digital content creation, Ethan brings a unique perspective to his role at TheArchivists, where he curates and produces captivating content for a global audience.
Ethan holds a degree in Communications from Zurich University, where he developed his expertise in storytelling, media strategy, and audience engagement. Known for his ability to blend creativity with analytical precision, he excels at creating content that not only entertains but also connects deeply with readers.
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