This site is best viewed using Mozilla Firefox browser.

X

Cleaning & Restoration

Chris Mazzacco

2013-06-25 09:24:44

Q-How can you identify a great restoration company?

A-This is not a question from readers but actually a question we posed last month in our discussion of homeowner rights to work with contractors they feel comfortable with. The general guidelines you would follow in finding a contractor of any trade applies to a restoration company as well. Most will advise you to use local, established, and trusted companies. Within the restoration industry there are sometimes issues after a major weather event where many restoration contractors will flock to an affected area. I’m not going to say all out of area contractors who follow storms are poor contractors. Many of these companies are skilled and experienced and can fill a short term need. But if for some reason there are issues down the road remember these folks are usually long gone, filling a short term need for someone else potentially in another region of the country. A company who has been entrenched in a community for a long period of time can usually be trusted to stand behind their work. A trustworthy company will also have endless references, and testimonials for your review. Whether local or not, a big thing a homeowner should look for in a restoration company is their training and experience. The IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning Restoration Certification) is the accepted governing body of the restoration industry.* A company who is an IICRC Certified Firm gives customers the peace of mind that the company has adopted the guidelines set forth in the IICRC, and will use methods that have been proven as the safest and most effective way of restoring property. With a single certification however some companies may call themselves a certified firm. Make sure they are certified in the particular skill you need. A company boasting they are a certified firm may be certified in carpet cleaning and offer water damage services as well without being certified in that skill. The above makes a company good, but notice we said “great” contractor in the title? A person’s home is not only their greatest financial asset but also their most cherished possession. When we think of the endless hours we have spent in our home and how much we value the possessions inside, ‘good’ does not cut it. Whenever you need repairs to your castle, you should demand a great contractor do it. What makes a company great are it’s people! A great restoration company is educated and skilled in dealing with the emotions of a victim. A great restoration company should begin to put you at ease when they enter your home or business. They should be looking to take care of your needs and make you feel comfortable before they ever look at dollars and cents. As a homeowner in an emergency situation your stress level should decrease upon signing a work authorization with a company, not increase. They will also treat your property as if it were their own. And finally a great restoration company has your interest first. Restoration contractors work closely with insurance companies and their adjusters, but the homeowner’s needs and rights should always be placed first. *Since the acronym IICRC is a mouthful, the powers that be decided recently to use the name Clean Trust with the general public. It may be possible to see one or the other or even both logos associated with a company but all represent the same governing body.

X

Cleaning & Restoration

Chris Mazzacco

2013-05-29 11:58:10

Q-Is it true an insurance company will not pay a claim if you don’t use their selected contractor?

A-Many times an insurance company will try to give the impression that after a claim you must choose from a “recommend list” or a “preferred list” of contractors which is simply not true. It is your right as a homeowner to select any contractor you feel comfortable working with. There are two prevalent trains of thought in the insurance world when it comes to reconciling claims. One, estimate repair cost, write a check and subsequently wash their hands of the situation. Companies who have adopted this policy rarely refer any contractors in an attempt to avoid liability for work done or to avoid incurring further costs. The second way of dealing with a claim is to have a selected group of predetermined contractors do the necessary repairs, which sounds like the situation our homeowner who presented this question to us is / was in. These insurance companies like to use their selective network of contractors because they can control the methods and timeline of repairs and therefore control the final cost they will have to pay out. Both of these methods have different advantages for the insurance company but what they have in common is both methods have the interest of the insurance company in front of the policy holders. I’m not trying to run down the insurance industry, they are a business, and like the rest of us they are looking for ways to maximize profits. Right now the insurance industry faces intense government scrutiny and the increase of unprecedented weather events in the past decade is mind boggling. An insurance representative has the option of recommending a contractor but the ultimate choice is up to you. Many of the recommendations are experienced, qualified contractors but sadly many are also contractors who will simply work cheaper. Many major insurance carriers have exclusive deals with national franchises. Many of these franchises are again experienced and qualified contractors, but some have just simply purchased a franchise name and have no real restoration industry accepted certifications or training. The decision is yours, but choose wisely. Peter Parker’s (Spiderman) uncle borrowed the following line from the 19th century French author Francois-Marie Arouet. “With great power comes great responsibility.” Next month we will look at how to identify a great restoration contractor and what to do in the event of an emergency.