Here in Jacksonville, FL, it can often seem like natural disasters occur at a much more frequent rate than in much of the rest of the country. With year-round favorable weather for the storm systems that produce tornadoes and flooding rains, as well as its location near the Atlantic Ocean and its potential for hurricane weather, it’s no surprise that Florida ranks as the US state fifth-most prone to disaster. In fact, Florida has received over 63 major disaster declarations since the statistic was first tracked in 1953. Worse, this metric stands to increase as we see the frequency of floods, hurricanes, tornadoes, and more with each coming year.
However, when you’re standing amidst the wreckage created by Mother Nature, the only statistics you should consider is the average time and resources it will take to get your property back to normal. Restoring your commercial property to its former glory with the help of a commercial restoration company will help you get back to business and minimize the expenses caused by unexpected shutdowns. Still, it is essential to hire a reputable commercial restoration company to ensure the project is completed the right way, on time, and on budget. Consult this guide to finding the right commercial restoration company for your property.
Look out for wannabes
After a major event that causes storm damage, commercial property owners will soon find that there are an astounding number of companies that purport themselves to be professional restoration experts. To this point, many carpet cleaning companies and local construction companies will try to capitalize on their relevant experience. Yet, carpet cleaning companies usually deal only with carpets, while most general construction companies focus on the removal and replacement of elements damaged by water.
However, true restoration involves multiple elements of a commercial property, including carpets, other flooring, drywall, framing, and many others. In addition, since water damage restoration in Jacksonville, FL, takes place in a humid climate, mold may quickly become a concern. As a result, certified technicians trained in all the above areas provide a much more comprehensive restoration that doesn’t rely on disposal and replacement.
Signs of a reputable commercial restoration company
While it’s important to be able to identify unreliable or partial-service commercial restoration companies, the best services tend to share several common characteristics. Look for these qualities in an emergency disaster restoration company:
- Variety of Services: As mentioned above, many supposed commercial restoration services are simply regular contractors or carpet cleaning companies who offer some elements of disaster mitigation. While you can certainly contract a variety of companies, each of whom specializes in a single area like flood cleanup, mold remediation, fire damage, and more, it is often more cost-effective to utilize a single company that performs each of these functions for a large-scale incident like a natural disaster. However, be sure to ask whether the company is skilled in your area of need.
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Proper Credentials: A reputable commercial restoration company will hold the proper credentials. Technicians and companies certified with Institute of the Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification credentials, or IICRC, have taken the time to complete initial and annual training by the industry’s certifying body. The IICRC has developed standards regarding mold remediation, water damage restoration, sewage cleanup, smoke and fire cleanup and restoration, and more—ask your technician for proof of certification.
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License, Bond, and Insurance: Reputable commercial restoration companies are licensed in their state and registered as an official contractor. In addition, these companies are insured to cover personal or property damages that may result in your property or even the company’s technicians while the work occurs. Finally, look for a company that holds a surety bond to guarantee the completion of the job. This allows you legal recourse if something should go awry.
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Guarantee or Warranty: Most reputable commercial restoration companies provide a written estimate and guarantee of their work. Inquire whether you can obtain a guarantee or warranty that requires the company to stand behind their work.
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24/7 Service: As any commercial property owner in Florida knows, disasters don’t occur exclusively during office hours. In fact, waiting to assess and remediate storm damage can make the situation much worse, as damaged surfaces can allow even more water to intrude into your property, and water can cause considerable damage in mere hours. Worse, insurance companies can deny coverage for additional damages caused after the initial disaster. Look for a commercial damage restoration company that responds 24/7 and can deploy a team within a few hours of your call.
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Disaster Planning Services: In a disaster-prone area with frequent hurricanes and other storm events, commercial property owners would be wise to develop a disaster response plan. While not all commercial restoration companies provide this service, disaster planning can ensure you, your tenants, and your insurance company know which company to contact the minute a disaster occurs. Better yet, you’ll have taken the necessary steps to reduce risk, and the company will be well-versed in your property so they can get started immediately upon response.
What to do when disaster hits
After a natural disaster occurs, contact your insurance company as soon as possible. If you already have disaster planning services via a disaster restoration company, insurance can help you arrange a visit. If not, perform a thorough search of Jacksonville area disaster restoration services on reputable sites like the Better Business Bureau and Angie’s List. Browse reviews and recommendations, then contact the businesses on your shortlist and look for the qualities listed above.
Remember, your insurance company cannot force you to utilize the commercial restoration company of their choice. However, you’ll want to ensure the company you choose is willing to work with your insurance. Otherwise, you’ll need to cover the costs.
Choose a Priority Response Plan through Contractors Inc
When the worst happens, you need a commercial restoration company that can restore your property to its original condition efficiently and affordably. With a Priority Response Plan via the Crisis Over Program and Contractors Inc, you’ll receive an expedited response after the danger has passed. Best of all, our 24/7/365 response, affordable pricing, expert technicians, and custom response plan will have your commercial space back up and running well before the competition, so you can minimize downtime and preserve your bottom line
For more information, please contact the Jacksonville, FL commercial restoration experts at Contractors Inc today.
