The loss
In September 2024 a hot water supply line to the dishwasher burst in this Glendale home. Water spread across the main floor and down into the basement, and the damage was severe. The kitchen was a highly custom build, and the water reached the cabinetry, the premium tile and the hardwood flooring.
Tracing the water
A supply line failure rarely stays where it starts. Water moves under cabinets, along the subfloor and down through the structure, so what you see on the surface is only part of the loss. We used thermal imaging and a moisture meter to follow the water through the main floor and into the basement, and we documented the readings so the full extent of the damage was on record from the start.
Demolition and the rebuild scope
The damage was too extensive to dry out and patch. The custom kitchen had to be demolished, and the hardwood and premium tile had to come out. Those are the kinds of materials that are hard to match and expensive to replace, so the scope needed to reflect a real rebuild, along with emergency mitigation, contents packout and storage, and the cost of living somewhere else while the work was done.
A smooth claim
Not every claim turns into a fight, and this one did not. We had a good working relationship with the carrier's adjuster from the start. We submitted a complete scope with the documentation to back it up, the conversation stayed practical, and we were able to negotiate an amount quickly that everyone was comfortable with.
When the carrier is cooperative, our job is to make sure nothing is left out and the numbers are right, then keep the claim moving so the family can get back into their home. That is what happened here, and the insured was able to rebuild.
The result
Total recovery on the claim was $323,191.28, including the rebuild, emergency services, packout and storage, contents, recoverable depreciation and monthly rent while the home was being repaired.
| Initial Rebuild | $146,135.28 |
| Rebuild Supplement | $7,150.65 |
| Rebuild Recoverable Depreciation | $3,228.68 |
| Emergency Mitigation Services | $25,000.00 |
| Packout/Packback/Storage | $35,030.72 |
| Initial Contents | $7,052.79 |
| Contents Recoverable Depreciation | $593.16 |
| Monthly Rent (6 months at $16,500.00) | $99,000.00 |
| Total settlement | $323,191.28 |
Every claim is different and no result is guaranteed.
Settlement checks
