Adjacent Construction Can Do More Damage Than You’d Think

As with most disasters, construction damage caused by nearby projects is completely out of your control. When this occurs, turn to United Public Adjusters. We’ll put the control back in your hands.

The noise and dust from adjacent construction projects can cause more than minor irritations. Construction damage from large residential and commercial projects can damage your existing property by compromising the integrity of the structure itself.

Vibration damage is caused when pylons are driven deep into the ground by heavy equipment that causes the ground to shake. Best case scenario, the condition of your property is documented prior to construction. When a construction project is being built nearby, it’s a good idea to request that vibration damage be monitored during the construction process. The potential for vibration damage can be determined scientifically if the vibration is monitored, helping to establish the cause of the damage.

With nearby construction, your foundation can also suffer. Rough hacking of nearby earth could shake and shift your existing building structure. When foundation damage occurs, the collapse of your entire business or home is imminent. If you’ve fallen victim to unexpected foundation cracks or building collapse, immediate action is needed.

When you notice visible damage such as cracked tile, nail pops, hairline or deep cracks in your walls or exposed concrete, it could be a sign that there are deeper, hidden structural damages.

In addition to the complexity of fixing the property damage, trying to handle the insurance claim on your own can become a nightmare; especially if you are not well versed with insurance policy language. Very often, insurance companies will deny claims for adjacent construction by stating the damages are pre-existing or that the damage is due to earth movement. United is well versed in handling such roadblocks by checking every nook and cranny of your policy for exclusions and also by really analyzing where the damage stems from.

For example, an insurance company may deny coverage when an excavator hits an owners building and its foundation stating that the building was damaged due to “EARTH MOVEMENT”. But if an insured has a special form policy which covers all risk unless excluded and an “exactor hitting a building which results in structural damage” is not listed under exclusion, then the claim is typically COVERED.  Paying attention to such details and having the experience United puts forth is the difference that brings in results!