In most cases, no. Homeowners can usually choose their own reconstruction contractor, even when the insurance company suggests one from its preferred list. The details depend on your policy, so check the wording or ask your agent before you sign anything. A preferred contractor can be a fine choice. It just isn't usually your only choice.
The question tends to come up right after a burst pipe, a water heater failure or an appliance leak, when the drying is done and someone has to put the rooms back together. Here's what to know about preferred contractors, and how homeowners in Olathe and across the Kansas City area can compare options.
What Is an Insurance Preferred Contractor?
Many insurers keep a list of contractors they've worked with before. These are sometimes called preferred vendors or program contractors. The insurer may suggest one to speed things up, especially right after a loss.
Being on a list doesn't make a contractor better or worse. It means they have a relationship with that insurer and have agreed to work within its process. Some homeowners like that. Others would rather pick someone themselves.
Can I Choose My Own Contractor for an Insurance Claim?
Usually, yes. The insurer pays according to your policy, and you decide who does the work. Some policies or programs have specific terms, so read yours or ask your agent if you're unsure.
The Kansas Insurance Department's homeowners guide offers simple advice for claims: get more than one bid, and hire a local, reputable contractor. It also suggests having a written agreement with your insurance company before repairs start.
Pros and Cons of Using the Insurer's Contractor
Some things work in a preferred contractor's favor. They often know the insurer's pricing process, and scheduling may move quickly at the start.
The trade-offs are worth thinking about too. You didn't pick them, so you may know less about how they work. And if questions come up about the scope, it helps to have a contractor who explains the repairs to you clearly. None of this is a reason to avoid a preferred contractor. It's a reason to ask the same questions you'd ask anyone.
How to Compare Reconstruction Bids
Missouri's Department of Commerce and Insurance suggests that contractor bids should detail the materials, the prices of those materials and the labor on a line-by-line basis. That's good advice in Kansas too. When you compare, look for:
- The same rooms and the same scope on each bid
- Line items for drywall, texture, paint, flooring, cabinets and trim
- How each contractor handles damage found once walls are opened
- Who you talk to during the job, and how often
- A written contract before work starts
Our post on questions to ask your reconstruction contractor has a longer list.
What if Your Contractor’s Scope Differs From the Insurer's?
It happens. Two scopes for the same rooms can differ because of scope, quantities, material choices or something one side missed. A difference isn't automatically a problem.
If your insurance company has already written up the repairs, we can review the reconstruction scope and discuss any differences with you and your adjuster. We explain the repairs we see. We don't negotiate coverage or represent you in a dispute, and we can't promise what the insurer will pay.
Do You Need the Same Company for Drying and Rebuilding?
No. Mitigation and reconstruction are separate jobs, and plenty of homeowners use one company to dry the house and another to rebuild it. Flood Rewind only does the reconstruction. We come in after the water has been cleaned up and the home is dry.
If you use different companies, ask the drying company for its completion paperwork and final readings. That record helps your rebuild contractor and your adjuster. Our post on reconstruction vs mitigation explains the handoff.
When Should You Decide?
Ideally before the rebuild starts and before you sign a contract. Changing contractors in the middle of a job is possible, but it's messier. Take the time to get a second bid if you want one, even if the preferred contractor is ready to go.
Also check your policy's timing rules. Some policies have deadlines tied to completing repairs, especially for recoverable depreciation. Our post on recoverable depreciation after a rebuild explains why that matters.
Questions to Ask Any Contractor, Preferred or Not
A few questions tell you a lot. Who will be my main contact during the job? How do you handle damage found after the walls are open? Will I get a line-item repair plan I can compare with the insurer's? Do you do the rebuild yourselves or hand it off? How do you protect the rest of the house during the work?
The answers matter more than whether a name appears on a list.
Getting a Second Bid in Olathe
We rebuild homes after water damage in Olathe, Overland Park, Lenexa and Lee's Summit, and we're glad to write a repair plan you can compare with any other. See how our process works on the what to expect page.
Prefer to talk it through first? Call (913) 732-7220, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 5 PM.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my insurer still pay if I use my own contractor?
Ask your adjuster or agent before you hire. In most cases you can choose your own contractor and payment follows your policy and claim, but some policies or programs have their own terms.
Does Flood Rewind work with insurance adjusters?
Yes. We prepare clear, detailed repair plans and work with your adjuster to explain the repairs needed. You stay in charge of your claim.
Is a preferred contractor a bad choice?
Not necessarily. Many do good work. Compare them the same way you'd compare any contractor: scope, line items, communication and a written contract.