Things to Consider If You Need a Restoration Service

When you find yourself the victim of a natural disaster or fire and water damage, it is only natural to feel as if you have lost everything. Don't despair and lose hope. When disaster strikes, don't assume that all is lost. Simply contact a restoration service and let them take care of everything. Keep in mind that at first, you may be shocked about what has happened to your home, but with the right team of professionals on your side, you can and will get through this ordeal.

You are going to need to do some things before the restoration service can get started. One of those things is to file a police report so that your insurance company will cover the cost to fix any damaged components of your home. A reputable restoration service can get things back to normal the fastest way possible. If some part of your home needs to be rebuilt because of extensive damage or if some part just needs to be remodeled, you don't have to go out looking around for a company that would be willing to take on your home with the type of damage it has sustained.

There are several reasons why you should hire a professional company. One is because emergencies and disasters can happen any time of day or night. You don't want to have to wait for assistance if it is after hours. By hiring a professional team, you have assistance available twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. They are there at your beck and call to help.

Because there is so much urgency in times of dire need, it may not be possible for you to properly screen all contractors that offer a restoration service. That is why you should hire a restoration service that has employees. A reputable company will be certified by several government agencies, in addition to having all of the required credentials and insurances for your protection. When you are faced with this type of situation, it is best to get started right away to reduce the severity of your loss or damage. The right company will get your property secured and cleaned up in no time.

You want to hire a company that will work with your insurer so you don't have any unexpected or out of pocket expenses. They can fill out the necessary paperwork and speed up the processing time for your claim. This will help you to get back on your feet.

Keep in mind that you need to hire a restoration service that is available around the clock. They need to have workmen's compensation insurance and liability insurance on all of their workers. The longer they have been in business shows how well they cater to the needs of their customers. Ultimately, you want a company that can take care of all of your needs from start to finish, which will make the whole process less stressful and easier to deal with.

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Drop, Cover, Hold On! What to do When an Earthquake Strikes

With recent earthquake activity in California, Cal OES wants to remind residents to practice the Drop, Cover and Hold On drill. Seismic Hazards Branch Chief Ryan Arba explains the proper way of learning this technique, along with the do’s and don’ts for earthquake safety once shaking commences.

Disaster Restoration Services Provide Shelter from the Storm

The reason disaster restoration services are so invaluable is because they are like handymen trained in tragedy. They specialize in any type of natural mishap, big or small, and are ready 24-7 to help salvage your home from ruin. They can be hired to remove waste, water, pests, damaged items, or entire sections of the home. And they can also restore, repair, renovate, or rebuild any wall, roof, window, appliance, or an entire room. These experts are like qualified stress relievers, prepared to provide support, not more strain.

Types of Disaster Restoration Service
In order to be a useful disaster recovery service contractor, you have to be ready for anything. So their expertise lies in everything from simple deodorization to complete reconstruction. They are required to be qualified by special organizations for each type of emergency and therefore are licensed and certified in every possible task. Here’s a list of natural calamities, the problems they bring, and how a disaster restoration service is an incredible resource in these situations:

Floods
Water extraction is one of the most widespread problems associated with weather damage. Floods, storms, or simply heavy rainfalls can lead to a submerged basement or waterlogged first floor. Therefore, repair experts can remove the water and, afterward, dry, dehumidify, and restore the area. They can also replace drywall, rebuild any damaged walls or installations, and even re-paint a room if needed. How much does water extraction cost? The national average is about $2,800, but that price can vary depending on the damage.

Mold
When it comes to water damage, it may seem that the suffering comes from your stuff getting wet. But the real trouble is what’s left behind by the moisture. Mold and mildew build up, gets stuck behind your walls, spreads rapidly, and causes a lot of health problems for your family. And it doesn’t just have to occur in a flood, but anywhere at any time. Therefore, immediate mold remediation is necessary. It’s important to have your home inspected annually and, if detected, these pros can help remove the mildew.

Storms
A tornado, hurricane, earthquake, or heavy winds can wreck a lot of havoc. Therefore, after the storm, these professionals help to remove debris, fallen trees, or other rubble. They can be hired for demolition, window board-ups, emergency roof tarps, or complete reconstruction of the property if desired. Plus, they can help stabilize structures and foundations. And if you’re without power, they can even provide temporary generators, heaters, or sump pumps to supply some relief.

Fire Damage
After surviving a fire, your home will be at risk for structural damage and your personal items can quickly be unsalvageable unless quickly cleaned. A disaster restoration service can deodorize, clean, and refurbish any architecture as well as remove soot from any spoiled carpet, cloth, metal, or stone material before permanent injury sets in.

Special Services
They can also help with any pest removal and some companies are even qualified to take care of more serious clean-ups, such as infectious wastes from septic tanks and other biohazardous substances. Most importantly, after the disaster restoration service has cleaned or repaired your home, they can also give advice to avoid problems in the future by providing assistance and educating the homeowner about a few simple measures to alleviate potential crises. Plus, since their one mission statement is help instead of hinder, these professionals are usually very generous with their guidance and reasonable with their prices.

Home Restoration Services
The heritage and distinctiveness of old homes should be their greatest strength, not their greatest weakness. Uneven floors, cracked drywall, warped wood siding, and gutters are just a few of the most common areas where home restoration services are badly needed. Home restoration contractors are trained not only to return your home to tip-top living condition but also to preserve the architectural integrity of the original structure. Unlike modern suburban neighborhoods, older homes are one-of-a-kind and require contractors with equal parts experience and innovation.

Cost of Home Restoration Services
Analogous to the cost of owning an older home, home restoration isn’t necessarily more expensive than standard home improvements, but it will require more regular and more costly maintenance. Wood siding, for example, is less expensive to install than most siding alternatives, but it will need to be sealed every couple years. Along with homeowners insurance and property taxes, you should plan to set aside a sizable budget for annual home restoration services and general maintenance.

Article Source: https://www.homeadvisor.com/r/disaster-restoration-services/

After The Wildfires What You Need To Know About Your Insurance

Cal OES gives tips on what you need to know about your insurance after a wildfire

Fire Damage Cleanup - 4 Reasons the Professionals Should Handle It

Fire damage cleanup is never an easy job to get completed and a lot of people like to attempt it themselves. This shouldn't be done if you don't know how to do it right, but instead should be left up to the professionals that know what they are doing.

There are many reasons why cleanup should be left to the professionals. Knowing what the reasons are will allow you to see why the professionals are the ones that should do the cleanup.

Here are the main reasons you must understand.

One: Fire cleanup can be dangerous - Most people don't realize that after the fire has been put out, there is still danger in your home. Most times the fire will cause damage you can see, but it can also cause damage that you can't see.

This could include foundation damage to your house. If you make one wrong step in your home without understanding the remaining dangers, then you can end up with your home falling down and you getting hurt or worse.

The professionals know what danger and damage signs to look for because they have experience with cleaning up after fires. They also know how to avoid the fumes and smoke that linger in your home after a fire that you may not know to avoid.

Two: Run the risk of causing further damage - If you are inexperienced with fire cleanup, then you have a very real risk of causing further damage. This can do you and your home more harm than good.

The professionals have the knowledge to prevent further damage and will get the job done right in a timely manner so you can resume your life as quickly as you can.

Three: Physical and emotional instability - Fire in your house can be very physically and emotionally hard for anyone to deal with.

Cleanup on your own house and belongings is more than some people can handle because it is very hard to deal with the mess left behind.

You can easily avoid this by letting the professionals handle the cleanup for you. They will do the job right so that the fire can become a part of your past as fast as possible.

Four: The professionals have the equipment to restore your property instead of having to replace everything. This will allow you to save some money and make sure that any traces from the fire are gotten rid of.

Now that you understand why fire damage cleanup is best left to the professionals, you need to decide for yourself if this is the right thing for your cleanup. Just remember that anyone that doesn't have experience with this will have to learn how to do it before it can be done, so if you want it done right and without delay, then hire the professionals for it.

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Returning To Your Flood Damage Home

Returning home after a natural disaster. This video will discuss how to return to your home for the first time after a natural disaster. This phase normally follows the immediate aftermath and clearances from authorities.

The video goes through a checklist of things to do and look for to ensure the safety of you and your family. The video will highlight things like: what to do if you smell gas, protecting yourself from electrical injuries, wearing waterproof boots to avoid floodwater touching your skin, preventing carbon monoxide poisoning by keeping fuel burning devices outdoors and away from windows, only eat and drink food and water that you know is safe, etc.

Happy 4th of July!

"May we think of freedom, not as the right to do as we please, but as the opportunity to do what is right." 

Peter Marshall

The Diamond Certified Rating Process

Find out why the 12-step Diamond Certified Rating Process is the most accurate of its kind.

Restoration Contractors - How to Choose the Right Restoration Contractor

Restoration Contractors are specialists in the repair of buildings damaged by perils such as fire, windstorm, flood, water damage, hurricane and tornadoes. They are also specialists in the repair and cleaning of personal property from homes and businesses.

These kinds of cleaning processes and repairs require specialized equipment and knowledge that a normal General Contractor will not have. In addition, the restoration contractor uses estimating software that is acceptable to the insurance companies in the calculation of the repair estimate.

Many times, a claims adjuster who represents the insurance company will bring his favorite contractor with him when he inspects your damages. This is not necessarily bad, but can easily become a conflict of interest for the contractor.

I recommend that you, the policyholder and owner of the property, find a restoration contractor of your own to write your damage repair estimate. Customarily, the contractor will write this estimate at no charge, hoping that he will get the repair job. But even if it cost you a couple hundred dollars for the estimate, it could mean the difference in thousands of dollars of repairs.

But, how does a policyholder with damages locate a reputable restoration contractor?

1. Using your computer search engine, look for "Restoration Contractor" or "Disaster Repair" and your zip code or state.

2. Note which contractors in your area are advertising on TV and radio in your area. A big advertiser is usually having some success. Some national companies, like Servpro, advertise heavily and will have offices nearby.

3. Ask friends and business associates for a referral.

Once you have located two or three contractors in your area, interview them with these questions:

1. How many years have you been a Restoration Contractor?

2. Do you have a specialty, like homes or commercial losses?

3. Can you provide a list of at least ten satisfied customers with phone numbers?

4. Do you have documentation of your success in insurance settlements?

5. Have you ever had a complaint filed against you with the Department of Insurance or the state Office of Consumer Affairs?

6. Please explain your fees and how you are paid.

7. Please provide a copy of your repair contract.

Based upon the information you glean from your interviews, you can make a choice of the best Personal Injury Attorney to consult.

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Some Steps to Protect Your Home From Wildfires

If flames ignite, Cal Fire captain and local resident Scott Green knows that firefighters may be unable to save everything that needs saving. So his rural home protects itself. He shows us how to take defensive steps.