What Happens Before the Rebuild Starts
Drying a property and rebuilding it are two different jobs, done by two different companies. Here is what the handoff looks like and how the rebuild gets funded by your claim.
Most homeowners going through a property loss for the first time think of it as one job. It isn't. It's two, handled by two different companies, and understanding the split is the difference between a rebuild that goes smoothly and one that stalls for a month.
Phase one is the cleanup and drying work. A licensed specialty firm arrives, stops the loss from getting worse, removes what can't be saved, and dries the structure. They document moisture readings until the property meets drying standards. Then they release it. Their job is done.
Phase two is reconstruction. That's where we come in.
Where the handoff happens
Phase one ends when the property is dry, cleared, and released for rebuild. That release is a documented event, not a judgment call, and it's the moment your project changes hands. A general contractor should not be starting reconstruction on a property that hasn't been released. Finishes installed over material that isn't dry will fail, and the failure won't be covered.
Peridot Assist is a licensed Georgia general contractor. We perform reconstruction. We do not perform water extraction, structural drying, mold remediation, smoke or odor treatment, or emergency board-up. Those are separate trades performed by licensed specialty firms before we begin.
What reconstruction actually includes
Once we take over, the rebuild covers everything needed to return the property to pre-loss condition and better:
- Framing and structural repair
- Roofing and exterior envelope
- Plumbing, electrical, and HVAC rough-in
- Insulation and drywall
- Flooring, trim, paint, and cabinetry
- Fixtures, finishes, and final punch
One general contractor manages every one of those trades on one schedule with one point of contact.
How the rebuild gets paid for
Your carrier issues an estimate for the reconstruction scope. In our experience that first estimate is frequently incomplete. Not out of bad faith, usually, but because an adjuster writing a scope in an hour will miss things a contractor sees in a full walk.
We review the estimate line by line against current local pricing and code requirements, then file a supplement with documentation for anything missing. Common omissions include permit costs, code upgrade requirements, matching adjacent materials, and specialty trade labor.
What you should ask for at the handoff
Before reconstruction starts, ask the firm that dried the property for:
- The final moisture readings and the drying log
- A written release confirming the property is ready for rebuild
- Photo documentation of everything removed
- Their scope of work and invoice
Give all four to your general contractor. That paperwork is the foundation of the rebuild scope and it's what supports a supplement if the carrier's estimate falls short.
Where to start
If your property has been released for rebuild and you have a carrier estimate in hand, send it over. We'll review it line by line at no cost and tell you whether it covers a complete rebuild. Send us your estimate →
Peridot Assist Construction & Design
Licensed Georgia General Contractor, GCCO008663
(770) 284-5353