Florida man spent $43K on windows, but the installation caused leaks. What to do if a home reno goes wrong
In November 2024, Florida resident Dominic Lampos paid $43,000 for 22 windows and a sliding glass door from Home Depot for a home renovation. He told Tampa's WFLA News Channel 8 that, aside from his house, it's the largest purchase he's ever made.
Home Depot sent subcontractors to install the windows — but, unfortunately, they botched the job, resulting in damage to the interior trim and water leakage around the windows. Lampos believes the situation was made worse by a second set of subcontractors who were sent out to fix the shoddy work.
I'm 49 years old and have nothing saved for retirement — what should I do? Don't panic. Here are 5 of the easiest ways you can catch up (and fast)
Nervous about the stock market in 2025? Find out how you can access this $1B private real estate fund (with as little as $10)
Want an extra $1,300,000 when you retire? Dave Ramsey says this 7-step plan 'works every single time' to kill debt, get rich in America — and that 'anyone' can do it
Pinellas County inspectors then failed the project, according to Channel 8. There were reportedly a number of issues, including nail holes that didn't look like they could hold the windows in place.
A few days later, things went from bad to worse. During a period of light rain, Lampos told Channel 8 'it barely rained and it [the water] poured in, there was a puddle on my windowsill.'
But Lampos' story is not unique. Each year, a number of Americans deal with botched home renovations and repair projects. In a recent survey, 22% of homeowners said they found it challenging to find a reliable contractor, while 15% of those who remodeled their homes cited poor workmanship.
Taking the time to carefully vet a contractor doesn't guarantee there won't be any problems, but it does reduce your risk a fair bit. Almost all large projects will involve some hiccups along the way, but working with a reputable contractor can make it easier to resolve any issues that might arise.
A good place to start is by asking for recommendations from reliable sources such as family, friends, neighbors or co-workers who've had reno work done. You can also check various referral and rating websites, as well as professional organizations such as the National Association of the Remodeling Industry.
It's also helpful to speak to more than one contractor since you'll be working with them for a decent period of time and — similar to hiring a new employee at work — getting the right fit can be a factor in how the relationship and the project progresses.
Once you've landed on a few potential contractors, check with your local Better Business Bureau (BBB) and local or state consumer protection agencies to ensure there are no glaring issues. Then call the contractors to see if they have experience with your type of project, whether they have the time to devote to your reno, and whether they'd be willing to provide references.
The next thing you should do is call their references and ask about their work. You should also investigate the contrators to verify that they're licensed for the type of work you need and make sure they have liability and workers' compensation insurance. Also, ask if they offer a workmanship warranty — also known as a craftsmanship or contractor warranty — which means defects will be addressed without any additional cost.
Before the work starts, make sure to draw up a written contract to ensure both parties understand and agree upon the timeline, quality standards and payment schedules. The contract should also outline how changes will be handled and how disputes will be resolved, as well as tackle legal issues such as lien releases and building permits.
Read more: The US stock market's 'fear gauge' has exploded — but this 1 'shockproof' asset is up 14% and helping American retirees stay calm. Here's how to own it ASAP
Many issues between contractors and homeowners boil down to poor communication, so be sure you are getting frequent updates on progress and potential problems from your contractor.
If you do run into issues, getting angry and straining the relationship further won't help the situation. And if the relationship is deteriorating, communicate in writing, document all communications and try to work out a plan for moving forward.
If the situation still doesn't improve, you could withhold payment until the problems are resolved or file a complaint with the BBB. You also may need to seek legal counsel, especially if a lot of money is on the line.
Depending on the nature of the issue, your state consumer protection laws may be of help. While they tend to deal more with fraud and financing issues, some states — such as Illinois — have laws specifically governing home contractors. If it comes down to it, you may be able to sue for breach of contract, breach of warranty or negligence.
Home insurance could also cover some of the costs if the renovation causes damage to your home or belongings. It's a good idea to contact your insurer before any work begins to understand what your policy will cover and to add any additional coverages that may be deemed prudent.
As for Lampos, Channel 8 contacted Home Depot, which then sent out a crew to fix the issue, assuring Lampos that a 'comprehensive checklist' will be used to address and resolve the situation.
Thanks to Jeff Bezos, you can now become a landlord for as little as $100 — and no, you don't have to deal with tenants or fix freezers. Here's how
Rich, young Americans are ditching the stormy stock market — here are the alternative assets they're banking on instead
Here are 5 'must have' items that Americans (almost) always overpay for — and very quickly regret. How many are hurting you?
This article provides information only and should not be construed as advice. It is provided without warranty of any kind.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
36 minutes ago
Oil gains and US stock futures, Asian shares slip after US strikes Iran nuclear sites
BANGKOK -- Global markets appeared to take the U.S. strike against nuclear targets in Iran in stride as investors watched to see how Iran will react. The price of oil initially jumped more than 2% but fell back slightly on Monday. U.S. stock futures and most Asian shares declined. The big question is what Iran will do, analysts said, while the U.S. military's strike on three Iranian sites raised urgent questions about what remains of Tehran's nuclear program. "I believe what we are thinking is or the thinking is that it is going to be a short conflict. The one big hit by the Americans will be effective and then we'll get back to sort of business as usual, in which case there is no need for an immediate, panicky type of reaction,' said Neil Newman, managing director of Atris Advisory Japan. The price of Brent crude oil, the international standard, was up 1.2% at $77.94 a barrel. U.S. crude also jumped, gaining 1.3% to $74.82 a barrel. The attacks Saturday raised the stakes in the war between Israel and Iran, and the futures for the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average slipped 0.3%. The Nasdaq future contract fell 0.5%. Treasury yields were little changed. The conflict began with an Israeli attack against Iran on June 13 that sent oil prices yo-yoing and rattled other markets. Iran is a major producer of oil and also sits on the narrow Strait of Hormuz, through which much of the world's crude passes. Closing off the waterway would be technically difficult to pull off but it could severely disrupt transit through it, sending insurance rates spiking and making shippers nervous to move without U.S. Navy escorts 'The situation remains highly fluid, and much hinges on whether Tehran opts for a restrained reaction or a more aggressive course of action,' Kristian Kerr, head of macro strategy at LPL Financial in Charlotte, North Carolina, said in a commentary. Iran may be reluctant to close down the waterway because it uses the strait to transport its own crude, mostly to China, and oil is a major revenue source for the regime. Speaking to Fox News on Sunday, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said disrupting traffic through the strait would be 'economic suicide" and would elicit a U.S. response. "I would encourage the Chinese government in Beijing to call them about that because they heavily depend on the Strait of Hormuz for their oil,' Rubio said. Tom Kloza, chief market analyst at Turner Mason & Co said he expects Iranian leaders to refrain from drastic measures and oil futures to ease back after the initial fears blow over. Disrupting shipping would be " a scorched earth possibility, a Sherman-burning-Atlanta move,' Kloza said. Writing in a report, Ed Yardeni, a long-time analyst, agreed that Tehran leaders would likely hold back. 'They aren't crazy,' he wrote in a note to investors Sunday. 'The price of oil should fall and stock markets around the world should climb higher.' Other experts aren't so sure. Andy Lipow, a Houston analyst covering oil markets for 45 years, said countries are not always rational actors and that he wouldn't be surprised if Tehran lashed out for political or emotional reasons. 'If the Strait of Hormuz was completely shut down, oil prices would rise to $120 to $130 a barrel,' said Lipow, predicting that that would translate to about $4.50 a gallon at the pump and hurt consumers in other ways. 'It would mean higher prices for all those goods transported by truck, and it would be more difficult for the Fed to lower interest rates.' In Asian trading early Monday, Taiwan's Taiex fell 1.4% while the Kospi in South Korea initially lost 1% but then regained some lost ground to fall 0.2% to 3,016.71. Much of East Asia depends on oil imported through the Strait of Hormuz. In Tokyo, the Nikkei 225 edged 0.2% lower to 38,344.15, as losses for most shares were offset by gains for defense oriented stocks. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries climbed 0.8% and ShinMaywa Industries, another major weapons maker, surged 1.5%. 'The U.S. strike on Iran certainly is very good for defense equipment,' Newman of Atris Advisory said, noting that both Japan and South Korea have sizable military manufacturing hubs. Australia's S&P/ASX fell 0.4% to 8,475.70. Hong Kong's Hang Seng regained lost ground, climbing 0.4% to 23,622.71, while markets in mainland China advanced. The Shanghai Composite index picked up 0.5% to 3,376.65. In currency dealings, the U.S. dollar rose to 147.16 Japanese yen from 146.66 yen. The euro climbed to $1.1515 from $1.1473.
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Yahoo
Survey: More than 1 in 4 Americans feel they need to make $150,000 or more to live comfortably
Financial security shouldn't just be nice to have — ideally, it should be attainable for all Americans. But as high prices, tariffs and economic uncertainty reignite concerns of a recession, the majority of U.S. adults (77 percent) today say they aren't completely financially secure, according to Bankrate's new Financial Freedom Survey. What's worse, even as the inflation rate has eased since a 2022 high, the percentage of Americans who say they aren't financially secure has climbed over the past few years, from 72 percent in 2023 and 75 percent in 2024. Part of the reason why so many people feel financially insecure could be that rapid inflation over the past three years has eroded households' purchasing power, making it harder for Americans to afford their lifestyles on their current salaries. For example, a $100,000 salary in January 2020 has the same buying power as $124,353 in April 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). In other words, if you haven't received a raise since 2020, higher inflation feels like losing $24,000 of your salary. 'Many people need to spend more and more every year,' because of inflation, says Wookjae Heo, an assistant professor of financial counseling and planning at the Purdue University College of Health and Human Sciences. 'However, their income has not increased a lot. Most people's salary is (static).' One of the easiest ways Americans could feel more financially secure is through a pay bump — but it would have to be a big one. More than 1 in 4 (26 percent) U.S. adults say they would need to make $150,000 or more per year to feel financially secure/comfortable. That's nearly twice the typical national salary: The average full-time, year-round worker made $81,515 in 2023, according to the latest estimates from the BLS. However, thanks to market uncertainty, companies are slowing or pausing hiring, which means many people may have difficulty switching jobs to something more lucrative. Amid a sluggish job market, especially for white-collar and federal workers, it won't be easy for many workers to easily earn a higher salary and get to that six figures they want. The share of Americans who don't feel financially secure is high — and getting higher 77% of U.S. adults say they are not completely financially secure, up from 75% in 2024 and 72% in 2023. Financial security has a six-figure price tag for many Americans 26% of U.S. adults feel they would need $150,000 or more to feel financially secure/comfortable. The 'American Dream' may remain a dream for many people Only 29% of U.S. adults believe their version of the 'American Dream' is likely for them in today's economy. Since 1976, Bankrate has been the go-to source for personal finance data, publishing average rates on the most popular financial products and tracking the experience of consumers nationwide. See more The majority (77 percent) of U.S. adults say they aren't completely financially secure: 45 percent say they are not completely financially secure but will be someday, and 32 percent say they are not completely financially secure and likely never will be. The percentage of Americans who believe they'll never achieve financial security has risen over the years, from 26 percent in 2023 and 30 percent in 2024. Only 23 percent of Americans say they are completely financially secure: Source: Bankrate's Financial Freedom Survey, May 14-16, 2025 'Most of us know comfortability when we see it. It's a financial sweet spot that allows us to cover our bills, sock cash away for retirement or emergencies, conquer debt — or dodge it entirely — and still have enough wiggle room for the occasional indulgence,' Bankrate U.S. Economy Reporter Sarah Foster says. 'Times have shifted.' Generation-wise, Gen Xers (ages 45-60) are the likeliest to say they are not completely financially secure currently (84 percent), compared to 80 percent of Gen Zers (ages 18-28), 79 percent of millennials (ages 29-44) and 69 percent of baby boomers (ages 61-79). On the other hand, baby boomers are the likeliest generation to say they feel completely financially secure (31 percent), compared to 21 percent of millennials, 20 percent of Gen Zers and 16 percent of Gen Xers. More than 1 in 3 (35 percent) women say they aren't financially secure and never will be, compared to 29 percent of men. Also, women are less likely to feel completely financially secure than men — and the percentage is dropping quicker than it is for men: Americans who say they are financially secure, by year and gender 2023 2024 2025 Men 30% 27% 26% Women 26% 23% 20% Source: Bankrate's Financial Freedom Survey, May 14-16, 2025 Financial security, by income level About 2 in 5 (42 percent) Americans making $100,000 or more per year say they are completely financially secure, compared to only 12 percent of Americans making under $50,000 a year. The percentage of people who make less than $50,000 a year and say they're completely financially secure has fallen over the years, from 17 percent in 2023 and 15 percent in 2024. Additionally, 25 percent of people making between $50,000 and $79,999 per year and 34 percent of people making between $80,000 and $99,999 say they're financially secure. Financial comfort means something different to everyone, but when asked, nearly half (45 percent) of Americans say they would need to make a six-figure income ($100,000 or more per year) to feel financially secure/comfortable. This includes 16 percent who say they would need to make $200,000 or more, and 8 percent say they would need to make $500,000 or more. Source: Bankrate's Financial Freedom Survey, May 14-16, 2025 More than half of Americans (56 percent) say they need more than they're currently earning to feel financially secure/comfortable. Generationally, for the third year in a row, Gen Xers reported needing the most to feel financially secure/comfortable: 35 percent say they need to make $150,000 or more to feel financially secure/comfortable, compared to 24 percent of baby boomers, 26 percent of millennials and 20 percent of Gen Zers. While around half of men (48 percent) say they need to make $100,000 or more to feel financially secure/comfortable, 42 percent of women say the same. Men are likeliest (22 percent) to say they need to make between $100,000 and $149,999 to feel financially secure/comfortable, while women are likeliest to say they need to make between $50,000 and $79,999 (21 percent). There's a massive gap between what salaries would make people feel comfortable and what would make them feel rich. More than 1 in 4 Americans (26 percent) say they would need to make at least $1 million per year to feel rich or financially free. Meanwhile, 55 percent of Americans say they would need to make $200,000 or more to feel rich or financially free, and 39 percent say they would need to make $500,000 or more. Generationally, more than one-third (37 percent) of Gen Xers say they would need to make $1 million or more to feel rich or financially free, compared to 27 percent of baby boomers, 23 percent of millennials and 18 percent of Gen Zers. A similar percentage of men and women say they need to make $1 million or more to feel rich or financially free (27 percent and 25 percent, respectively). Tiffany Morrison, a 38-year-old in Ocala, Florida, puts it best herself: 'I'm one paycheck from losing it all.' Morrison, a single mom of a 15-year-old daughter and a title agent for a real estate company, is one of the 88 percent of people making under $50,000 per year who feel financially insecure. She makes $49,000 a year and, like many lower-income people, tries to save, but emergencies keep setting her back. She only has $500 in savings, thanks to a recent $1,000 car repair bill. It took her eight months to save that $1,500 in the first place. If Morrison has an unexpected emergency, such as car problem, that could cost more than her entire paycheck and set her back on her bills, she says. 'It becomes a trickle(-down) effect,' Morrison says. 'Once you miss one bill, you have to play catch-up, then (the companies) add late fees on. That's probably where the uncomfortable area comes in.' For many, saving more money isn't as simple as spending less on frivolous purchases. But Morrison has used several strategies to help her save more money — she's moved to a cheaper rental, canceled subscriptions, changed phone plans and used other strategies to save money. In addition, she opened up a high-yield savings account (HYSA), which provides a higher interest rate on her savings than a traditional savings account, and has given her savings a much-needed boost. Despite all of this, her budget is still uncomfortably tight. If she made $100,000 a year, she says, that would put her in a much more comfortable place financially. 'I think I would be able to save money (and) have a more reliable vehicle,' she says. As is the case for many low-income Americans, reaching Morrison's desired salary would be difficult. Her current role doesn't offer enough upward mobility to receive a major raise, she says. She would love to work in the nonprofit space, but nonprofits are notoriously low-paying. Alternatively, she'd like to turn her social media content creation side hustle into a full-time job. In the meantime, Morrison leans on self-taught personal finance advice to get her through payday after payday, even though it's taken some sacrifices. 'I don't give myself enough credit for the work that I've done. I've seen my own growth recently. I started on my emergency fund knowing that I still don't have a very reliable car,' she says. 'I've just changed my mindset now to: Everything always works out.' The 'American Dream' can look different from person to person — whether it involves immigrating to the U.S. for more opportunities, buying a home or retiring early. Whatever someone's vision of the American Dream is, only 29 percent of Americans believe their version is likely in today's economy. Source: Bankrate's Financial Freedom Survey, May 14-16, 2025 The youngest American adults are the likeliest to still have hope for the American Dream. Over a third of Gen Z (36 percent) say their version of the American dream is likely in today's economy, compared to 27 percent of millennials, 26 percent of Gen Xers and 27 percent of baby boomers. Income-wise, more than half (56 percent) of those making under $50,000 a year say it's unlikely that they'll achieve their version of the American Dream. 'Though many Americans hold onto the idea of returning to a 1950s-era 'Golden' America age, the days when a single, non-college educated breadwinner could sustain an entire family seem like they may be confined forever to the past,' Foster says. There's no one-size-fits-all approach to achieving financial comfort — what financial comfort means will look different for everyone. For one person, it might be paying all their bills on time, every time, while for another, it may be buying a large house and going on vacations whenever they can. These steps can help you figure out what financial comfort means to you and how you can get there. To avoid creating a goal that you can't meet, financial goals should be realistically attainable and set within a certain timeframe. For instance, if you make a relatively low salary today, setting a goal of tripling your salary in six months is likely unrealistic. On the other hand, setting a goal of asking for a raise in the next year is a much more attainable goal for most people. Some examples of financial goals are: Go back to school for a master's degree within the next two years to increase your earning potential. Pay off $3,000 of credit card debt in six months. Save three months of expenses (or $15,000) in one year for an emergency savings fund. Save for a down payment (or $20,000) on a house in five years. Max out your 401(k) contributions this year. If you need help understanding what financial goals would be best for you, consider seeking the services of a financial advisor, who could look at your entire financial picture and give you personalized advice based on your situation. Be sure to prioritize hiring a fee-only advisor, who only receives compensation based on a flat fee, and typically acts in their clients' best interests. Once you know your financial goals, you can start crafting your plan to meet them. For example: If your goal is to pay off debt, you can… Set a goal to pay off your debt within a certain timeframe and stick to it. For example, if your goal is to pay off $3,000 of debt in six months, and you're paid bimonthly, you should set an automatic payment of $250 every time you're paid to go towards your debt. If you have several sources of debt (for example, student loan debt and credit card debt), you can consider the snowball or avalanche debt repayment methods. The snowball method prioritizes your debts from the smallest balance to the largest balance. The avalanche method prioritizes your debts from the largest annual percentage rate (APR) to the smallest APR. If your goal is to save more money, you can… Switch to a HYSA, which will provide a higher interest rate on your rainy day fund than a traditional savings account. Pay yourself first: Set up a recurring transfer from your checking account to your savings account each month and don't touch it. Alternatively, you can split up your direct deposit to put some of the funds in your savings account directly. If your goal is to make more money, you can… Explore side hustles, such as selling unwanted items online, tutoring or freelancing. Consider passive income opportunities, like investing in a high-yield CD or savings account or rental income. If your goal is to invest more for retirement, you can… Max out your 401(k) for the year. (The cap for 2025 is $23,500.) Open a Roth IRA, which allows you to deposit after-tax income and take it out at retirement tax-free. Not all lifestyle creep is bad — for example, as your income rises, you may want to replace your old beater car with a nicer vehicle or buy more fresh and organic foods for your family. But if your spending continues to rise as you earn more money throughout your career, you may not ever get to a point where you feel financially secure. 'As our income rises, so does our vision of comfort. With each pay bump, the lure of a grander lifestyle can be irresistible — especially after periods of restraining ourselves,' Foster says. 'Not to mention, we all deserve to reward ourselves with our hard-earned money. But this 'lifestyle inflation' can sometimes pose as many risks to our finances as actual inflation.' To avoid lifestyle creep, instead of spending more when you receive a yearly raise or bonus, try funneling that money toward investments or savings instead. You can break the funds up: For example, if you receive a $10,000 yearly bonus, you could put $5,000 towards savings, $3,000 to meet your yearly Roth IRA cap and spend the rest. Similarly, if you receive a raise that increases your paycheck by $200 a pay period, you could put that money toward savings and keep your spending habits the same. Methodology Bankrate commissioned YouGov Plc to conduct the survey. All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. Total sample size was 2,260 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between 14th – 16th May 2025. The survey was carried out online and meets rigorous quality standards. It employed a non-probability-based sample using both quotas upfront during collection and then a weighting scheme on the back end designed and proven to provide nationally representative results.
Business Journals
3 hours ago
- Business Journals
3 simple steps for employers to lower health care costs and ensure better employee care
It's no secret that the current health care system is unsustainable. Nearly half of Americans receive health care coverage through their employer and over the past two decades, employer-sponsored health care costs have risen by over 200%. Many businesses can no longer front the costs — and the burden is being shifted onto employees. The result? Health care has become unaffordable for many working Americans — for some employees cost shifting has made engaging care unaffordable and 40% of American adults are struggling with medical debt — a shockingly high number. Despite this astronomical rise in cost, most brokers and benefits consultants haven't changed the solutions they present to clients in decades. In our experience, only about 5-10% of brokers are offering their clients innovative alternatives and even fewer have fully embraced a different approach, leading to poor implementation and support when they do try something new. The reality is that health care operates as an inefficient market. Unlike most industries, higher costs do not necessarily equate to higher quality care — in fact, it can often be the opposite. We believe that by being proactive, transparent and strategic, employers can reverse this trend by reducing costs while ensuring their employees receive top-quality care. However, achieving transformational results demands a completely different approach. The four of us have spent years in this industry and have tailored a unique approach that enables us to achieve superior results. We've seen what works and what doesn't and the ineffective options continually peddled to employers. That's why we've joined forces to help employers to take control of their health care spend and save real money. Our approach We don't believe in a one-size-fits all health plans and we partner with HR leaders to bring their health care strategy to life while directly administering the change. This includes educating employees on what they need to know to make the most of their benefits. When you show people exactly how they can receive better care at a lower price, everyone wins. Our model is built on three pillars: education, pharmacy platform and Medicare Plus. Education: We empower members to navigate the health care system effectively and steer them towards high quality and cost-effective options. Navigating the health care system is hard and we take a hands-on approach, which helps members understand their choices and make informed decisions. This extra effort improves health outcomes while ensuring the best experience possible. According to publicly available data compiled by Image360, CT scans in Tampa, Florida, are typically billed between $4,500 and $9,700. Even after PPO discounts, health plan members and businesses still pay $2,200 to $4,800. The problem is, there's little transparency in pricing and high cost doesn't guarantee high quality. Imagine360 changes that. With Imagine360, the average cost for the same CT scan at the same facility drops to under $200. This translates to significant savings for the employee and the business. Pharmacy platform: Pharmacy spend is the fastest-growing expense when it comes to a health plan. Traditional solutions often lack transparency and instead function as profit centers. We craft innovative solutions to manage pharmacy costs, ensuring that members have access to affordable medications without compromising on quality. Medicare Plus: We provide a thoughtful alternative to conventional PPOs. This model offers robust coverage at significantly lower costs by anchoring reimbursements to fair, Medicare-based rates. The above approach collectively has proven to cut costs by nearly 25% on average. Through this approach, we've reduced the cost of health care so drastically that some clients now offer no-cost health care to all of their employees. At a time when most companies are forcing employees to pay upwards of thousands of dollars per month on health insurance premiums, our clients pick up the full cost of premiums for their employees. This difference is life-changing for many families. By adopting a three-pillar approach to health care benefits, these businesses have become highly sought-after employers in their communities. And it's not just beneficial for employees — it's advantageous for the health plan as well. When health care premiums are overpriced, only the highest utilizers enroll, which makes sense; you would only pay thousands of dollars a month in premiums if you anticipated high health care expenses. However, when coverage is affordable and well-structured, everyone participates, creating a healthier, more predictable and sustainable plan. If this sounds too good to be true, you're not alone. One employer came to us frustrated and skeptical. Every broker had pitched the same traditional solutions, none of which solved their problem. Their chief financial officer knew that if they could not control hospital claims costs, the business would be in trouble. We introduced Medicare Plus pricing as a strategic solution. We helped manage the learning curve for the first few months — but once leadership committed to the solution, the plan started working. Three years in, premiums, deductibles and copays have all dropped. Employees are getting better coverage, and the company has even added new benefits — while most of their peers are cutting back. Using an independent TPA Working with an independent third-party administrator (TPA) opens the door to a different and better playbook. Yes, it takes more work upfront — more education, communication, teamwork — but the payoff is worth it: a more flexible employee benefits solution that can lead to better care, lower costs, and long-term consistency. No more carrier swaps or yearly overhauls. We currently support 25 clients on this platform. With dedicated service teams, personalized enrollment education and long-term strategies, we help employers innovate — without impacting employee satisfaction. The result is a smoother, more positive experience. The road ahead We're all fighting the same fight: pushing back against a system that hides cost, limits choices, wastes money and is driving people to choose little or no coverage due to cost. But it doesn't have to be this way. With a three-pronged approach including employee education, pharmacy and Medicare Plus pricing, we're helping employers take back control of their health care costs. By putting people first and staying committed to value-based solutions, employers and brokers can finally break free from the old playbook — and build something better. McGriff is a Marsh & McLennan Agency LLC Company. Our solutions include commercial property and casualty, corporate bonding and surety, cyber, executive risk, management and professional liability, captives and alternative risk transfer programs, employee benefits, small business and personal lines insurance.
