“Who is in charge of setting restoration prices?” should not be a trick question, but far too many are confused about the correct answer. The simple reason is because the insurance industry tries to take control of the restoration industry. Part of the reason they do that is because many restorers allow them to do it. The more control is relinquished to insurers, the more they will take and the more that policyholders will suffer. Carriers are required to justify their claims decisions, but many make sweeping denials that are unsupported by their policies or the law.

When restorers allow insurers to make major changes to prices and scopes of work, it creates a serious risk that policyholders will end up with something less than what restorers believe in their professional judgment are the best methods to return properties to their pre-loss condition.