It’s no surprise that time is of the essence when dealing with water loss at your business. The longer the water remains, the more harm it does to your property, and inventory, while leading to increased costs. That’s why it is critical to choose the best water restoration company for your business to assist you with cleaning up and repairing the damage.
The best business for your company should feel more like a “partner” than just another company. Below, we will list a few key items to look for, but it’s important to understand that much of this discovery should be done in advance. Since time is so critical, when you experience property damage – your team should already know who to call and when to call them. We hope that this list provides some clarity on things to look for when choosing the best restoration company for businesses.
Examine Their Credentials:
IICRC: Make certain that the firm you select is qualified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification, commonly known as the (IICRC). Founded in 1972, the IICRC is a global organization that certifies firms and individual technicians. This accreditation guarantees that the organization has the specialized knowledge and experience to effectively manage water damage restoration as well as other types of restoration work like fire and mold damage.
OSHA: Safety should be a concern on any job site, big or small. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) is the regulatory agency of the United States Department of Labor and offers various certifications like OSHA-10, OSHA-30, and OSHA Trainer.
ICRA – In hospitals and the healthcare industry, ICRA certification is critical. ICRA or Infection Control Risk Assessment certification is a program designed to evaluate and improve the infection control practices of healthcare facilities. Developed by the Healthcare Facilities Accreditation Program (HFAP) which was recently merged with the Accreditation Commission for Health Care, Inc (ACHC) was created to help healthcare organizations and the contractors who work in them reduce the risk of healthcare-associated infections among its patients.
Online Reviews:
Online reviews can be a great place to “start” looking for any contractor. When looking at reviews, it’s important to go a bit deeper than just what their overall rating is.
- How Many Reviews Are There?
- It’s too easy to be a contractor that has a perfect rating with 5 reviews, especially when those reviews can come from a the spouse or friends and family of the owner.
- Are The Reviews Credible?
- Real reviews will often include the name of the technicians or project managers that helped the person who left the review. If you’re looking for a contractor to help you with water damage, there should be reviews from customers that have experienced water restoration services.
- Negative Reviews?
- All companies that are around long enough will have negative reviews at some level. Difficult customers exist in every line of business, I’m sure you can think of a few at your workplace. The most important part of negative reviews is to view the contractor’s response. Did the company own its mistake and try to make it right? Did they offer a solution? Was their response reasonable? These responses can provide valuable insight into the type of company you are dealing with.
Get References:
Common examples of a recommendation may look like this:
- Example 1: Healthcare Reference
- Example 2: School Reference
- Example 3: University Reference
- Example 4: Property Management
Look For Prior Experience:
You should select a provider that has experience dealing with the specific damage that your property is dealing with. Since this article is about choosing the best water restoration company for your business, you should make sure that the company has professional experience in restoring “water damage” and isn’t just a general contractor. This is the same for fire and smoke damage as well as mold remediation – verify that the company you are going to call is an expert in dealing with your specific loss and has the proper equipment and technology to complete the work correctly.
Examine Their Equipment:
Make certain that the firm you hire has the proper equipment for the job. Commercial-grade fans (air movers), dehumidifiers, and water extraction equipment are examples of this. Your restoration partner should be prepared for your worst day and have access to large-scale desiccant dehumidifiers as well.
Having the right equipment is one thing, but your restoration partner and their equipment should be a reflection of your business as well. Their equipment should look professional and clean, especially if you are looking to remain open and continue conducting business through the restoration process.
Make Certain They Provide Emergency Services:
Water damage often occurs when you least expect it, which may mean after normal business hours. Your restoration partner must respond at any time by offering 24-hour emergency services.
Inquire About Their Drying Process:
It’s critical to understand how the restoration partner you hire will dry your facility, protect your valuables, and limit your business interruption. Will your restoration partner work the third shift so you can continue to run your business? Do they have a plan on where to place dumpsters that don’t impede client foot traffic? Your restoration partner should have your best interests in mind and be a professional advocate for you in your time of need.
Examine Their Insurance:
Make certain that your restoration partner is adequately covered, including liability and workers’ compensation insurance. This is an important safeguard for you and your business in the event of an accident.
We hope that these tips help guide you in finding the best restoration company to support your business. Those companies that are prepared for a loss drastically decrease the interruption to their business and increase their odds of reopening after a major event where many other companies fail to open their doors again. If you’d like more information on Mammoth Restoration, the services we provide, or to simply find out if we are the right partner for you. Please reach out to us at 888-495-5211 and we would love to help understand what makes your business tick and how Mammoth can help you through an unexpected loss.
