Just had a fire last year and moved back in a month ago. So still living it. We did not hire a public adjustor. I am not sure if it would have been better or not. It was a long crazy process and I still have the receipts and replacement to go. Our insurance was great to work with overall and our contractors were the best for restoration work around, but had to manage project way closer than we liked. I know that an adjustor can make things easier for you, but can make dealing with insurance sometimes trickier and longer. Plus you need money to pay them sitting around. Also, make sure you find out how good they are and negotiate rates. The one thing I learned with a fire is everyone sees you and the situation to make money from your tragedy. Fair to earn money for services, but they don't care how much insurance is charged if they can get it out of the situation. We had to fire our first contractor for this (and other things). Best luck!!!

No sectional at all you do not have the space for the one you are talking about. A sofa and 2 chairs is a much better option and please no chaise if you insist on a sectional. If you post pics in a comment and wait until they are no longer grayed then submit.

I would recommend you spend a few bucks to consult with an attorney in your area. Generally speaking, independent and company adjusters are both paid by the insurance company. If an insurance company is allowing a contractor to submit a claim on your behalf (something that is rather common) then that contractor is essentially an independent adjuster. Public adjusters are usually paid with a percentage of the claim. The problem being a public insurance adjuster is going to want 5% to 15% of the total claim. So how likely you are to benefit from the independent adjuster's report depends on the total amount recovered and the amount you have to pay the contractor. It is really difficult to give any definitive advice because we really don't know your alternatives for contracting the work and/or the quality of the work the contractors will do. We also don't really have specifics on your insurance company, your house, or your state. There are also various state laws that govern how contractors can accept money from insurance claims and so it is even more difficult to give advice. In many states the amount the insurance pays must be acceptable as payment in full by the contractor for the claim he makes. So he can't actually bill you more, however, the insurance company doesn't usually warranty the work even though they pay for it. So, again, I would seek legal counsel that doesn't work on commission to just get some general advice on the best path forward. I hope everything works out, good luck.

Doris- Please think about your and your husband's health, and how long you will be in the home realistically before you will move. Do you think you would stay in the house if you could have a live in assistant? If so, please make sure there is a bedroom and bathroom for that person, and relatively near your bedroom. Or would you leave this house as soon as either of you start to decline? If you would stay in this house as long as possible, please think about making the home senior friendly. For example, wider doorways, no thresholds, large showers, grab bar in shower, higher toilet, reinforcement where a grab bar could go later, etc. Please carefully check out senior friendly design and ADA design. Even if you would not stay in the home if you are actually handicapped, many of these accommodations would make your life immeasurably easier as you age and become less spry. I don't know how athletic you are and if you have any arthritis. But for example, toe-kick drawers cost a bit. Are you going to want to bend down or squat down to sort through the contents in 5-10 years? My guess is no. You are far better off with some sort of vertical, divided storage for the trays and cookie sheets and baking pans. In addition, they will be more organized, it will be easier to find the specific one you want, and they won't get dented. You might want to build a pantry of some sort, either a pantry closet or pantry cabinetry with drawers, pullouts, etc. Also, give yourselves a heart to heart. While you have grandchildren and may still be cooking for the whole family, will they all be coming at once for a family meal? Will your daughter be packing up the children to come to you for Thanksgiving or Christmas? Your son too. Are you entertaining your co-workers? Your husbands? Gone are the days when we invite the boss for dinner, I think. If you really don't think you will be entertaining for 12 anymore, you might want to re-think keeping all the serving pieces and gigantic cookware and duplicates you have or are planning to purchase. That might inform the kitchen storage you think you need, how many tablecloths, etc. I also think that while you should re-model for you, if you really think you are going to move in 10 years, please do keep re-sale value in mind.