Why matching is the sticking point
Fire claims are usually written using estimating software built around common, modern materials. For a 1990s house that works reasonably well. For a 1920s Park Hill house, the line item for baseboard may describe stock pine, the flooring may be a standard prefinished product, and the brick may be any face brick. None of that will look right next to what survived.
Insurance policies are typically written to repair or replace with materials of like kind and quality. What that means in practice, and how far matching extends into undamaged areas, depends on the wording of your policy and how the claim is handled. Some disputes come down to whether a whole floor, a whole wall of tile, or an entire roof slope must be redone so new and old do not clash.
The best leverage is clear documentation of what was there before, combined with specific information about what it takes to match: the trim profile and species, the brick dimensions and color, the tile size and glaze, the flooring width and wood.
Two ways the conversation can go
Generic estimate
- Line items describe standard products
- Patches assumed to blend in
- No allowance for custom milling or salvage
- Matching raised only after work is done
Documented estimate
- Line items name species, profile and size
- Photos show the original next to proposed material
- Quotes from millwork shops, masons or tile suppliers attached
- Matching settled before materials are ordered
Questions to put to the adjuster
Ask in writing and keep the answers with your claim file.
- Does my policy say anything specific about matching, and how is it applied to continuous areas like floors and walls?
- Will the estimate include custom millwork for trim profiles that are no longer made?
- If matching brick is not available, how is the exterior wall handled?
- Can I submit quotes from specialty trades familiar with older homes?
- If a sample fails to match once installed, how is that resolved?
- Is there a process for a second look or an appraisal if we disagree?
Common questions
Is a public adjuster useful for matching disputes?
Some homeowners hire a licensed public adjuster to represent them on complex claims. Colorado regulates public adjusters; check a license through the state Division of Insurance and read the fee agreement carefully.
General information for Park Hill, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.