FAQs

The following comparison of the three main options will help you choose the right one!

Employing Your Own Repair Contractors.

Advantages:

• More control as the work can be varied.
• (If instructed, SD will always act fairly to you and advise you of all damage identified, even if initially rejected by insurers and assist you to evidence that the damage is a valid part of your claim )
• SD can assist in obtaining comparative quotes for the job or items within the repair schedule if required.
• SD has unmatched knowledge of the full spectrum of insurance losses, ensuring the correct methods and materials are used for repairs.

Disadvantages:

• Unless one contractor is appointed, you will be far more involved in managing the contractors, and if this goes wrong, sorting out defects will be more problematic if several contractors are used.
• The client is responsible for managing the legal responsibilities for the contractors' Health & Safety and welfare under CDM 2015 regulations. However, when appointed, SD always takes over the Client's H&S responsibilities and maintains all necessary H&S, welfare and insurances for the work.

Insurance Network

Advantages:

• Some insurers try to force clients down the Network Repair Contractor route, which can take control away from you, the client. The network will appoint one of their 'approved' contractors to undertake the work.
• If additional damage is discovered during the repair work, then this is normally added to the claim by the contractors.
• Warranty. Insurance networks generally provide a warranty.
• No need to become involved in the payment side of the claim.

Disadvantages:

• The Insurance Company appoint and pays the Network Repair Company as part of large, lucrative contracts. Whilst many networks act fairly towards the insured client, they all understand that insurers will monitor their performance in ensuring claims are settled at a low cost. Insurers generally use more than one network and place them in competition with each other on average claim settlement costs. When appointed directly, Structured Designs is only interested in ensuring that you, our client, receive the full entitlement of your claim.
• The network will appoint one of their 'approved' contractors to undertake the work; you will not have a choice.
• Most Networks only provide 'like-for-like' repairs, and if you wish to change the repair specification, for example, to use it as a time to upgrade or remodel, this will not be allowed. If you wish to make significant changes during the repairs, then Insurance Repair Networks are not for you!
• Networks use local companies to undertake the work. The quality of these companies varies. Most of these companies will undertake the same repairs for you if instructed privately.
• Networks take large fees for providing the work, which means contractors are paid less to undertake the repairs.
• Networks instruct contractors to survey the work according to a set of rules designed to reduce the amount insurers will pay out on the claim. (If instructed, SD will always act fairly to you and advise you of all damage identified, even if initially rejected by insurers

Cash Settlement

Advantages:

• Cash in hand.
• It may suit clients who wish to make substantial changes to their property, rather than repair the existing layouts.

Disadvantages:

• After a settlement figure is agreed upon, if additional damage is identified during the repair work, it will be difficult to return to the insurers to renegotiate an additional payment.
• Cash settlement offers calculated by Loss Adjusters or insurance-appointed surveyors will often be discounted and rarely reflect the true market rate for undertaking the work by a properly established company. If you have friends and relatives who are tradesmen, or if you do some of the work yourself, then this option may work for you. You may even have some cash left over, but for most people, hiring an experienced contractor who will undertake all aspects of the required work will be the best option.
• No warranty.
• It may involve you in a much greater management role.
• No one to assist if things go wrong or if contractors let you down.
• Renovation costs are likely to exceed the originally calculated amount.
• Client will be responsible for managing the legal responsibilities for the contractors' Health & Safety and welfare under CDM 2015 regulations.

Definitely Not! Structured Designs works independently alongside Loss Adjusters and Insurance Repair Networks, but not Loss Assessors. An insurance company appoints a Loss Adjuster and Insurance Repair Networks to manage a claim on their behalf and facilitate the necessary repairs. Insurers pay networks and Loss Adjusters a separate fee for their services. Loss Assessors are independent of insurers and are sometimes referred to as 'Ambulance Chasers', as they often turn up at the door of a reported fire or flood and offer their services free of charge if a client uses their list of contractors.

Loss Assessor firms employ salespersons who are paid wages and large bonuses, and who often travel long distances to sign up clients who are often in a vulnerable state after a major event in their lives. The service is far from being free of cost, and Loss Assessor companies always benefit from taking a big percentage of the insurance payout, which leaves less to be spent on your reinstatement.

Our services comply with the industry regulations and best practices, ensuring a safe and thorough restoration process:

• Health and Safety Compliance: Adhering to UK safety codes to protect occupants and our staff.
• Environmental Protection Regulations: Protecting staff and clients from harmful materials and ensuring the responsible disposal of hazardous materials and waste.
• We stay up to date with all relevant standards to provide the highest level of service.

Yes, we provide a full assessment and job-specific H&S package for each project. However, most domestic clients do not realise that they have a legal responsibility under the CDM 2015 Regulations for all building contractors they employ. The penalties for regulatory breaches are severe. We recognise that most of our domestic clients do not have the knowledge or skills to fulfil their legal obligations, so as part of our services, we can take over the client's responsibilities and ensure compliance with the law.

Fire-damaged sites pose various risks. We take all necessary safety measures, including:

• Detailed initial assessment of risks to persons and the stability of the damaged structure.
• A detailed Program of Work and creation of a full H&S Construction Design & Management system for the specific job.
• Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Including respirators, gloves, and protective suits.
• Identification of Hazardous Materials: Such as asbestos or lead-based paint.

Persistent Smoke Odour: Smoke is readily absorbed into fabrics, timber and most building materials, making it difficult to remove without professional assessment and treatment. Smoke residues can become trapped in voids and ducts, and even behind electrical fittings, requiring assessment and often additional stripping out of the building fabric to correct.

Water and Mould Issues: After a fire is extinguished, residual water can leave the property saturated. This saturation may take considerable time to dry, necessitating the implementation of drying machines and monitoring. Renewing finishes before a building is fully dried is a recipe for many future problems. Excess moisture, particularly in warm environments, can lead to mould growth. The spores from mould are widely recognised as posing severe health risks, both in the short term and long term. Specialist remediation of mould is essential.

Air Quality Concerns: Smoke particles can degrade air quality and pose a health risk, requiring air filtration and ventilation.

Concealed Asbestos: Asbestos is present in building materials in a high proportion of UK domestic households. Asbestos materials, when damaged and dusted, create a severe long-term health risk. See our more detailed guide to Asbestos identification and treatment.

Structured Designs management possesses decades of experience in evaluating the commercial success of restoring contents. We are equipped to restore a wide range of materials, from clothing to upholstery. You can be assured that we will take great care in restoring your items, especially furniture and Kitchen Items.