Bidding Fire Insurance Jobs - Plumbing Zone

plumbingpaul · 09-18-2008, 01:24 PM

I got a call to bid an apartment building where someone had crashed into the Gas Mains and meters and caught the building on fire. The fire burned up 2 of the ten units and damaged the other 8. I was told to give the owner 2 prices one to repipe the whole complex and one to just fix what is damaged. They said they are worried about the plumbing in the walls cause smoke was coming out where the copper supplys are in 6 of the units. I am a little overwhelmed as no one can find as built plans on these units and all I can see in the ceiling is the gas mains from one unit that was burned up. Any advice on how to proceed?

**Bill** · 09-18-2008, 09:28 PM

Tell them to tear out the walls so you can inspect the damage. Trying to bid on something you can not see is foolish at best. I would never attempt it. Even with plans there is no guarantee that the original plumber followed them. I for one have had to alter plans because the people who draw up those prints know little to nothing about how all the mechanical goes together. Double A could attest to that.

ToUtahNow · 09-18-2008, 10:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plumbingpaul

I got a call to bid an apartment building where someone had crashed into the Gas Mains and meters and caught the building on fire. The fire burned up 2 of the ten units and damaged the other 8. I was told to give the owner 2 prices one to repipe the whole complex and one to just fix what is damaged. They said they are worried about the plumbing in the walls cause smoke was coming out where the copper supplys are in 6 of the units. I am a little overwhelmed as no one can find as built plans on these units and all I can see in the ceiling is the gas mains from one unit that was burned up. Any advice on how to proceed?

Fire work is one of the places to go when housing is slow. Regardless of the economy there are always going to be fires. As far as bidding it really doesn't matter what's on the as builts as you are replacing everything in he one bid and replacing what missing on the other. Make sure that on either bid you address exactly what you are including and what will be extra if needed.

Mark

**Bill** · 09-18-2008, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ToUtahNow

Fire work is one of the places to go when housing is slow. Regardless of the economy there are always going to be fires. As far as bidding it really doesn't matter what's on the as builts as you are replacing everything in he one bid and replacing what missing on the other. Make sure that on either bid you address exactly what you are including and what will be extra if needed.

Mark

Agreed. Maybe include a scope of work along with the bid. Have 2 copies signed and retain the original. This way they cant add something that you did not figure on.

plumbingpaul · 09-18-2008, 10:51 PM

Thanks for the advise guys, Im submitting my bid tommarow ill see how it goes.

**Bill** · 09-18-2008, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by plumbingpaul

Thanks for the advise guys, Im submitting my bid tommarow ill see how it goes.

Keep us informed. Hope you get it!

Alan · 09-19-2008, 01:26 AM

We hate insurance work. INS company always tries to hold back money for some stupid reason or another. Is there any way to prevent that stuff from going on?

ToUtahNow · 09-19-2008, 01:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan

We hate insurance work. INS company always tries to hold back money for some stupid reason or another. Is there any way to prevent that stuff from going on?

A signed contract, a properly executed job and a Mechanic's Lien.

Mark

09-18-2008, 01:24 PM	#1
plumbingpaul Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Reno Nevada Posts: 90 My Photos	Bidding Fire Insurance Jobs I got a call to bid an apartment building where someone had crashed into the Gas Mains and meters and caught the building on fire. The fire burned up 2 of the ten units and damaged the other 8. I was told to give the owner 2 prices one to repipe the whole complex and one to just fix what is damaged. They said they are worried about the plumbing in the walls cause smoke was coming out where the copper supplys are in 6 of the units. I am a little overwhelmed as no one can find as built plans on these units and all I can see in the ceiling is the gas mains from one unit that was burned up. Any advice on how to proceed?

09-18-2008, 09:28 PM	#2
Bill Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: I have no idea! Posts: 5,868 My Photos	Tell them to tear out the walls so you can inspect the damage. Trying to bid on something you can not see is foolish at best. I would never attempt it. Even with plans there is no guarantee that the original plumber followed them. I for one have had to alter plans because the people who draw up those prints know little to nothing about how all the mechanical goes together. Double A could attest to that. __________________ Virginia Plumbing Codes Virginia Department of Licensing Ones intellect can often be summed up by his own words Everything in the known universe is governed by "Cause and Effect", there is no getting around it. Think about what you do before you do it.

09-19-2008, 01:26 AM	#7
Alan Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 172 My Photos	We hate insurance work. INS company always tries to hold back money for some stupid reason or another. Is there any way to prevent that stuff from going on? __________________ Journeyman Plumber

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09-18-2008, 10:51 PM	#5
plumbingpaul Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Reno Nevada Posts: 90 My Photos	Thanks for the advise guys, Im submitting my bid tommarow ill see how it goes.