This is what I got for Christmas--

[Hector]

Good man...and good move...

[Cmonster]

Screw them...get yourself an experienced out of work day laborer with carpentry and drywall skills from a Home Depot parking lot (or street corners throughout LA)...he'll fix that garage for a fraction of the price...and I'm not being a smartass here. Many, believe it or not, are NOT illegal, they are just going through some tough times, especially during this cold weathered season. I'm sorry...but I have dealt with these contractors, and most of them are crooks...I'm speaking from experience.

Dude,

Believe me, I'm with you. I'm probably just gonna have some friends over, cook up some lobsters and have a drywall, shelf building party...

SC

[Hector]

Here's a good one; Fire restoration contractors-- They specialize in rebuilding and cleaning up after fire and water damage. The quotes I've gotten from these people are so ridiculously astronomical, that all I can do is laugh.

This is a word for word quote from the estimate I got from one guy, after I told him that we just wanted the drywall and shelving replaced in the affected area, which is about 1/4 of a 3 car garage;

"Mr. Collora, everything in your entire garage whether you can see it or not, is smoke damaged. It all needs to be properly cleaned or replaced. You and your father will need to make an item by item inventory of absolutely everything in that garage, including the vehicles and decide whether you would like them cleaned or replaced. This all must be submitted to me as well Allstate as soon as possible."

Crazy.

SC

Screw them...get yourself an experienced out of work day laborer with carpentry and drywall skills from a Home Depot parking lot (or street corners throughout LA)...he'll fix that garage for a fraction of the price...and I'm not being a smartass here. Many, believe it or not, are NOT illegal, they are just going through some tough times, especially during this cold weathered season. I'm sorry...but I have dealt with these contractors, and most of them are crooks...I'm speaking from experience.

[Bill]

Call an AC guy and ask what'd it take to repair the system, check with a rental place for an ozone generator, replace the drywall yourself. Screw the headaches of dealing with disaster resto guys and insurance, your deductible is more than what it'll cost to do it yourself as long as there's nothing major wrong.
Have they suggested that the water damage has caused mold spores yet?
Do it yourself.

[Mego Superboy Prime]

I hear yah. The day after Christmas I was typing an article that I've been working on for 4 straight days and I put about 22 hours into it. After 5 hours from the morning until 7:00 PM I clicked the redo button to fix a paragraph and the whole thing erased!! It was just a glitch and it was forever lost. I threw away all my notes and references and will NEVER be able to rewrite it and I won't!!! I was and still am devastated. I highly doubt I will ever get over it...

[Brue]

I assume that's not what you asked Santa for.
It is a terrible thing and even though everyone is right in saying it could have been worse (and they are right), it still sucks.

[emeraldknight47]

Here's a good one; Fire restoration contractors-- They specialize in rebuilding and cleaning up after fire and water damage. The quotes I've gotten from these people are so ridiculously astronomical, that all I can do is laugh.

This is a word for word quote from the estimate I got from one guy, after I told him that we just wanted the drywall and shelving replaced in the affected area, which is about 1/4 of a 3 car garage;

"Mr. Collora, everything in your entire garage whether you can see it or not, is smoke damaged. It all needs to be properly cleaned or replaced. You and your father will need to make an item by item inventory of absolutely everything in that garage, including the vehicles and decide whether you would like them cleaned or replaced. This all must be submitted to me as well Allstate as soon as possible."

Crazy.

SC

The joys of dealing with insurance companies! Major PITA!!!!! You have my sympathies, SandMan! I had to deal with mine over some storm damage a few years back and it was like the Spanish Inquisition!!! They're all to happy to TAKE your money, but they HATE having to pay anything back...!

[Cmonster]

Here's a good one; Fire restoration contractors-- They specialize in rebuilding and cleaning up after fire and water damage. The quotes I've gotten from these people are so ridiculously astronomical, that all I can do is laugh.

This is a word for word quote from the estimate I got from one guy, after I told him that we just wanted the drywall and shelving replaced in the affected area, which is about 1/4 of a 3 car garage;

"Mr. Collora, everything in your entire garage whether you can see it or not, is smoke damaged. It all needs to be properly cleaned or replaced. You and your father will need to make an item by item inventory of absolutely everything in that garage, including the vehicles and decide whether you would like them cleaned or replaced. This all must be submitted to me as well Allstate as soon as possible."

Crazy.

SC

[UnderdogDJLSW]

Sandy, sorry to hear of what happened and my thoughts are with you for getting through this and any other downers from 2011. Here's hoping that 2012 is just the tonic you need.

[Bill]

I just finished up a ductwork job for an antique store that caught fire during the summer. The firemen blew out the back wall with the fire hose, they don't take any chances.

[Cmonster]

any updates Sandy?

Investigator from the fire department is here today. Based on his findings, we'll see what's covered by my insurance and what isn't. Funny thing is, there's actually more water damage than there is damage from the fire itself. The furnace is obviously toast, but a lot of stuff in the surrounding area, that wasn't even anywhere near catching fire, got doused with water.

Worst casualty so far; Two boxes of Famous Monsters and Heavy Metal magazines.

SC

[kennermike]

any updates Sandy?

[PNGwynne]

Sorry to hear about all this Sandy but glad you and your dad are alright.

My thought, as well. How terrible.

[livnxxxl]

Sandy, I really do regret to hear of the unfortunate news. There is never a good time for something like that to happen. I am just glad that you and your Father are both safe. That is the most important factor. Any material items can be replaced. May your 2012 be much better.

[Bill]

So what was the final ruling on that fish?