Issues to be aware of after tree impact???

richneet · Aug 01, 2014 4:43 pm

Hi, Trying to gather information as to what I should be looking out for with regards to damage to our house after a tree fell onto it after recent storms. The tree was a large sucker (1m base Tas blue gum.) came from my neighbours and went the entire length of our block to our next neighbour. It landed on our load baring brick wall between our bedroom and our bathroom. one foot either side and it would have cut the house in half. It broke the roof where it rested and pushed the gutters by abour half a foot from one side to the other. When you look inside it does not look that bad, plaster needed work in the bedroom and cornice on three sides. But also have minor and hairline cracks thru 60% of the house and none of the windows will open.

My concern is that the assessor could just say fix all the gutters and the roof and half a room of plasterwork and a bit of work here, here and here. I can't see having a wooping tree land and sit on my house can be good for the footings and the structure of the house (brick veneer.) Some people have advised it could be a rebuild as the stress to the house could leave it with too many unknowns. I'd don't know if its a fair size repair or should I go hard on the insurance people to avoid being shafted?

Sorry about the long winded story but google is not offering any advice.
Cheers :th:

Stewie D · Aug 01, 2014 7:17 pm

See what the assessor has to say first then if you aren't happy with their report engage an independent structural engineer to see what they have to say.
It might cost you a bit but could be a good investment overall.

Stewie

Handy007 · Aug 01, 2014 8:12 pm

Hi,

What state are you in?

Who is the insurance comany?

Depends if they send a third party company or an internal assessor.

I would engage a structuaral engineer who works for you not the insurance comany.

Keep a log of everything, times dates photosand anyone you sek with.

When making contact with the insurance comany try keeping them to emails as phones calls are not enough if you end up in court.

Best of luck.....

StructuralBIMGuy · Aug 03, 2014 1:25 pm

Also how old is your house?
Where is it built?
If it is to be repaired will it be compliant with the current NCC and AS?
Hire your own engineer/builder and get quotes for the best fix!
A good engineer/builder will present a persuasive argument to the assessor (optimal solutions with data, costs etc.etc)
In the end you will settle for something in between what the insurance company is offering to pay
and what your engineer recommends.HTH
Goodluck

qebtel · Aug 04, 2014 3:24 pm

When the insurance assessor comes, ask him for his credentials. If he isnt a qualified structural engineer,and they arent going to get one in subsequently, that's your first warning sign you are about to be screwed.

Whatever the insurance company does, Id be employing an independent structural engineer of my own as a double check. And dont bother mentioning to either engineer on either side of what you are doing - thats none of their business. Mums the word.