Corrosive Chinese Drywall Insurance

One of the most interesting things about the Corrosive Chinese Drywall problems is the lack of professionals who are able to actually work on the projects. Many insurance companies are sending letters to their insured contractors EXCLUDING any work on this drywall. What does that mean to the homeowner or property owner who wants to hire a contractor to remediate the drywall? It’s not good news. Read on… Recently a U.S. District judge, Judge Eldon Fallon, found in favor of seven plantiffs and awarded them each a large sum of money to remediate their Corrosive Chinese Drywall from their homes. I’m certain they were relieved that FINALLY someone is saying this can be fixed. However, the judge, with the best of intentions, no doubt, made an unprecedented move by going further into the construction process and actually required specific actions be taken in the remediation process. Though never trained as a remediator in a state that licenses them, this judge mandated that all the electrical wiring, plumbing, and HVAC system needed to be removed–remediate down to the studs. On what basis he determined that is puzzling to those of us who have studied this issue in great depth with teams of experts but it seems obvious he was taking the most conservative position and the safest route for the remediation. You can’t fault him for stepping up but it has presented the homeowners with a major issue–namely, WHO is going to do the work? If insurance companies have decided they will not cover this remediation work, what contractor in his right mind would accept the contract? Who, with this case law, wants to assume ANY liability? More importantly, what homeowner would hire a contractor who didn’t have the proper coverage. Hense, the dilemma. The homeowner has some money to get the work started but no contractor to actually do the work. And are the homeowners going to do the work themselves without ANY training in PPE, S-520, or NYC Guideline protocols? What a mess. At NORMI^™ we are concerned about making sure that homeowners are properly protected from the health and safety concerns surrounding Corrosive Chinese Drywall. We know that only when they are able to use licensed and insured professionals will they be able to get the job done correctly and save the heartache that could follow from choosing poorly. Very soon NORMI^™ will have protocols in place that will lead the homeowner down the right path and help them choose wisely. Until then, bookmark this blog and/or send your questions to support@normi.org. DON’T make a decision that could make matters worse. You’ve suffered enough…we’d like to give you some answers!