Murray Disaster Relief Fund
Donation protected
BRIEF OVERVIEW
On July 23, the Murray family suffered a major disaster to their family home after hiring a contractor to fix their home repairs. Long story short: the contractor did faulty work, damaging their home to the tune of approximately $90,000 and counting, which does not include the $25,000 worth in renovations already needed,a combined total of $115,000. The Murrays owe more on their home than the repairs and their home is nearly a total loss. Neither their home owner's insurance, nor the contractor's insurance will pay for damages, forcing the Murrays to pay a mortgage on a house they cannot occupy and obtain a rental to have some sort of normalcy for themselves and their two children. They have sought the advice of an attorney, but unfortunately, were not given overly positive news, and the Murrays are now facing the potential loss of their home, not by any fault of their own. The Murrays will need to replace items damaged by water and certain belongings will need to be mold treated. All funds will go directly to the Murrays and assist with the packing, moving, relocation, rent, and any costs to replace personal items which were damaged by water or otherwise exposed to mold. The total amount reflected should cover first and last month's rent, with a pet deposit, and approximately 6 months worth of rent.
Additional details follow below. Please note, we have disclosed the contractor's name and business so others are aware and do not experience this same hardship or devastation.
DESCRIPTION OF EVENTS
The Murrays engaged Northern Log Home Services and Construction to repair multiple projects in their home, one of which was the roof. The owner, Russ Fulkerson, began work on their roof on Monday, July 22. On Tuesday the 23, Russ and his crew (which consisted of one man and the man's 14 year old son), stripped the roof entirely and left the property. They did not "dry in" the roof and left the roof open and exposed, including the large vent holes (the size you could stick your head in) and entirely uncovered.
Later that evening, Helena, Montana, received a large, monsoon-type rain storm. Water infiltrated their home; water began to pour through their electrical outlets, began to seep into the walls and affect their windows' structure, and ran through light fixtures . It was apparent, water had dramatically affected their home, even running in between the exterior siding and the home's framing. The Murrays frantically tried to clean up the leaking water from the ceiling and light fixtures and immediately noticed water spots forming on their ceiling.
The Murrays requested Mr. Fulkerson cover their roof and call water mitigation; he declined. With the threat of additional heavy rainstorms, the Murrays called water mitigation themselves. They were told the ceiling and walls were wet and that the cost to "dry out" their home would be a minimum of $20,000. The humidity level was roughly 60% and the Murrays were forced out of their home out of concern for their health and the health of their minor children, one of whom is an asthmatic with severe mold allergies. After days of repeated requests, Mr. Fulkerson called his insurance.
In the meantime, water mitigation provided an all encompassing bid for Mr. Fulkerson's insurance to consider. The bid as of August 1, estimates the damages at $90,522, with the caveat that the cost may increase after mold testing is completed and an electrician evaluates any electrical damages. Mitigation has stated all of the dry wall and insulation in the home must be replaced and must be tested and treated for mold. (The home is single level and thus how all the drywall was affected.)
Unfortunately, the contractor is unwilling to accept responsibility for his mistakes, or even mitigate the damage. Mr. Fulkerson, while insured, did not have appropriate roofing insurance and as such, his insurance is declining to cover any damages. Likewise, the Murray's home owner's insurance, will not pay for damages, particularly as they were sustained as the result of someone else's negligence. Mr. Fulkerson was paid over $12,000 up front and was supposed to complete the roof and another project with those funds; neither was completed. Instead, the roof and repairs are unfinished and he has refused to return any remaining funds (his bid was approximately $6,000 for the roof) and the materials left at the home are insufficient to complete the job.
The Murrays contacted multiple lawyers and unfortunately, were not greeted with positive news. Their bank has declined to modify their loan or help with damage costs. The Murrays are in no financial position to pay cash or even finance an additional $90,000 to attempt to repair their home and make it livable. Mr. Fulkerson is "judgment proof" and there is no reasonable expectation the Murrays can recoup costs from him.
The Murrays are desperately attempting to find solutions or possible ways to save their family home. They have been displaced from their house for approximately three weeks, with no way to pay for: water mitigation, mold treatments, repairs, replacing belongings which were ruined or must be mold treated, and now need a new place to live.
All funds will go directly to the Murrays and assist with the packing, moving, relocation, rent, and any costs to replace personal items which were damaged by water or otherwise exposed to mold. The total amount reflected should cover first and last month's rent, with a pet deposit, and approximately 6 months worth of rent.
Pictures included are of the thermal readings in the home indicating the ceiling, walls, and the moisture levels measured in various locations throughout the home. Each of the readings in the home was "red lighted" which means that area of the home is wet. You will note, some of the readings are behind walls.
On July 23, the Murray family suffered a major disaster to their family home after hiring a contractor to fix their home repairs. Long story short: the contractor did faulty work, damaging their home to the tune of approximately $90,000 and counting, which does not include the $25,000 worth in renovations already needed,a combined total of $115,000. The Murrays owe more on their home than the repairs and their home is nearly a total loss. Neither their home owner's insurance, nor the contractor's insurance will pay for damages, forcing the Murrays to pay a mortgage on a house they cannot occupy and obtain a rental to have some sort of normalcy for themselves and their two children. They have sought the advice of an attorney, but unfortunately, were not given overly positive news, and the Murrays are now facing the potential loss of their home, not by any fault of their own. The Murrays will need to replace items damaged by water and certain belongings will need to be mold treated. All funds will go directly to the Murrays and assist with the packing, moving, relocation, rent, and any costs to replace personal items which were damaged by water or otherwise exposed to mold. The total amount reflected should cover first and last month's rent, with a pet deposit, and approximately 6 months worth of rent.
Additional details follow below. Please note, we have disclosed the contractor's name and business so others are aware and do not experience this same hardship or devastation.
DESCRIPTION OF EVENTS
The Murrays engaged Northern Log Home Services and Construction to repair multiple projects in their home, one of which was the roof. The owner, Russ Fulkerson, began work on their roof on Monday, July 22. On Tuesday the 23, Russ and his crew (which consisted of one man and the man's 14 year old son), stripped the roof entirely and left the property. They did not "dry in" the roof and left the roof open and exposed, including the large vent holes (the size you could stick your head in) and entirely uncovered.
Later that evening, Helena, Montana, received a large, monsoon-type rain storm. Water infiltrated their home; water began to pour through their electrical outlets, began to seep into the walls and affect their windows' structure, and ran through light fixtures . It was apparent, water had dramatically affected their home, even running in between the exterior siding and the home's framing. The Murrays frantically tried to clean up the leaking water from the ceiling and light fixtures and immediately noticed water spots forming on their ceiling.
The Murrays requested Mr. Fulkerson cover their roof and call water mitigation; he declined. With the threat of additional heavy rainstorms, the Murrays called water mitigation themselves. They were told the ceiling and walls were wet and that the cost to "dry out" their home would be a minimum of $20,000. The humidity level was roughly 60% and the Murrays were forced out of their home out of concern for their health and the health of their minor children, one of whom is an asthmatic with severe mold allergies. After days of repeated requests, Mr. Fulkerson called his insurance.
In the meantime, water mitigation provided an all encompassing bid for Mr. Fulkerson's insurance to consider. The bid as of August 1, estimates the damages at $90,522, with the caveat that the cost may increase after mold testing is completed and an electrician evaluates any electrical damages. Mitigation has stated all of the dry wall and insulation in the home must be replaced and must be tested and treated for mold. (The home is single level and thus how all the drywall was affected.)
Unfortunately, the contractor is unwilling to accept responsibility for his mistakes, or even mitigate the damage. Mr. Fulkerson, while insured, did not have appropriate roofing insurance and as such, his insurance is declining to cover any damages. Likewise, the Murray's home owner's insurance, will not pay for damages, particularly as they were sustained as the result of someone else's negligence. Mr. Fulkerson was paid over $12,000 up front and was supposed to complete the roof and another project with those funds; neither was completed. Instead, the roof and repairs are unfinished and he has refused to return any remaining funds (his bid was approximately $6,000 for the roof) and the materials left at the home are insufficient to complete the job.
The Murrays contacted multiple lawyers and unfortunately, were not greeted with positive news. Their bank has declined to modify their loan or help with damage costs. The Murrays are in no financial position to pay cash or even finance an additional $90,000 to attempt to repair their home and make it livable. Mr. Fulkerson is "judgment proof" and there is no reasonable expectation the Murrays can recoup costs from him.
The Murrays are desperately attempting to find solutions or possible ways to save their family home. They have been displaced from their house for approximately three weeks, with no way to pay for: water mitigation, mold treatments, repairs, replacing belongings which were ruined or must be mold treated, and now need a new place to live.
All funds will go directly to the Murrays and assist with the packing, moving, relocation, rent, and any costs to replace personal items which were damaged by water or otherwise exposed to mold. The total amount reflected should cover first and last month's rent, with a pet deposit, and approximately 6 months worth of rent.
Pictures included are of the thermal readings in the home indicating the ceiling, walls, and the moisture levels measured in various locations throughout the home. Each of the readings in the home was "red lighted" which means that area of the home is wet. You will note, some of the readings are behind walls.
Fundraising team (2)
Sheena Broadwater
Organizer
Helena, MT
Amanda Broadwater
Team member
