Water damage – can I do any labor myself?

Water Damage Help – Can I Handle Some of the Work Myself?

Hello everyone,

I’m currently facing water damage in the center of my home, likely due to a slow leak from my AC condensate drain, sewer line, or water supply line. My homeowners insurance through Citizens has sent a mitigation company, which is running dehumidifiers and checking in regularly. Unfortunately, this doesn’t seem to address the root issue; they’re just drying out the damaged flooring that needs replacement, while a moisture barrier is still trapping moisture in the slab, and the leak remains unaddressed.

I’m also worried about the authorization form I signed with the mitigation company. When I inquired about costs, they assured me that water mitigation is fully covered by my insurance and separate from my deductible. However, the form states: “I further request that any deductible be withheld from the final payment on the loss. If the deductible is taken from this payment, I will pay the amount directly to the contractor.” This suggests that the deductible might be included in the claim amount, leaving me potentially responsible for part of the costs. Furthermore, the company has insisted on using their own referrals for leak detection, mold testing, and repairs, which is causing delays and could lead to higher costs, ultimately increasing my premiums. My insurance adjuster, agent, and Citizens have not answered my questions, only telling me to follow the mitigation company’s guidance. This company is now waiting for approval from Citizens before proceeding with their referrals for leak detection and demolition work.

Here are my questions:

1. Can I remove the flooring myself before the adjuster comes to search for the leak?

2. If I do remove the flooring myself, will insurance reimburse me for my labor and materials?

3. Am I obligated to use the mitigation company’s referrals for leak detection and repairs, or can I choose my own professionals?

4. If I find the leak on my own, can I hire a plumber to fix it instead of going through the insurance’s vendors?

I have a high deductible, and I’m concerned that my premiums will rise after this claim, so I want to minimize costs by doing some of the work myself. I own specialized tools like a thermal camera, sewer camera, and moisture tester, so I might be able to pinpoint the leak. If I can’t find it, I know that a leak detection company would likely need to remove the floor/subfloor anyway, and I’d prefer to handle that myself.

The only services I may need are mold testing and leak detection (if I can’t locate the leak on my own), but I want to avoid any issues with insurance not covering my materials and labor just because a contractor didn’t complete the work.

Has anyone been in a similar situation? What steps can I take to ensure compliance with my insurance while minimizing unnecessary costs?

Thank you!