Flat‑fee desk‑umpire services for water mitigation invoice disputes that do not require an in‑person inspection to render a legitimate opinion on the value of the loss. Work is performed entirely from the record—estimates, photos, logs, and invoices—to help both appraisers reach a durable award without travel.
Small‑claim reality: Many water mitigation disputes involve very small amounts (sometimes as low as $1,000). That leaves no room to overspend on an umpire. That's where we come in—flat‑fee desk work that makes economic sense for small claims and straightforward invoice math.
No travel. Defined desk scope with clear deliverables; hourly only by joint written request to expand the scope.
Asynchronous review with a clear checklist, plus scheduled video sessions for line‑item resolution.
40+ years as an umpire. Awards in these matters commonly carry all three signatures (both appraisers and the umpire) because the process is objective and document‑driven.
In a dispute like a hail‑damaged roof—where both parties agree there's damage but differ on scope due to matching—some questions are settled by objective proof (policy language, codes, product availability, repair feasibility) and others rest on professional judgment. My role is disinterested and impartial: where facts decide, I follow the facts; where the record leaves a matter to reasonable opinion, I give comparable weight to each well‑supported view rather than presuming one side's preference. The goal isn't to make both sides happy—it's to treat both fairly, ensure each position is heard and tested, and allocate any truly discretionary calls without favor.
No contingency, ever. Fees are flat or hourly (if expanded), never tied to outcome or award size.
If both appraisers agree a roof requires replacement and the only open issue is the value of the shingles, a desk umpire can set that value remotely. For example, where everyone agrees the product is 30‑year laminate shingles, pricing can be determined from published price guides and contemporaneous market data—no in‑person inspection is needed. By contrast, when the dispute turns on whether there is damage at all or the extent of that damage, a visual inspection is typically required.
Unmitigatable Materials provides technical resources on materials and assemblies that typically cannot be adequately dried in residential water losses, with standards and field guidance.
Estimate Adoption explains when and why claim appraisers may properly adopt a contractor's estimate or invoice after independent verification in the homeowners insurance appraisal process.
Matching States provides plain‑English explanations of state matching laws and repair guidance for property damage claims.
Absorbing Deductibles provides legal guidance and compliance information regarding deductible absorption practices in property damage claims and insurance restoration work.
Tree Debris Removal Coverage offers comprehensive guidance on tree debris removal coverage in property insurance policies, including limitations and proper claim procedures.
Falling Object Claims provides expert guidance on falling object insurance claims, coverage analysis, and proper documentation for property damage from falling debris.
Debonded Tile Claims offers full technical report on debonded tile in water losses with mechanisms, documentation, and coverage analysis.
Detaching Solid Surface Countertops provides neutral guide on detach‑and‑reset vs. replacement for glued countertops with risk analysis.
Removing Grout explains technical risks of grout removal versus tile replacement in insurance claims and restoration work.
Virtual Tours Not Included in Unit Cost provides comprehensive guidance on virtual tour exclusions and unit cost considerations in property insurance claims.
General Contractors Overhead and Profit offers comprehensive analysis and guidance on overhead and profit considerations in property insurance claims and contractor compensation.
Forcing Contractors to Use Median Pricing Destroys Market Pricing provides mathematical analysis showing how median-only pricing enforcement can cause market prices to drop over 20% in just 3 months.