As we've seen with the recent earthquake and tsunami in Japan, catastrophic disaster can strike anytime, and when we're least expecting it. For property owners and managers, disaster often strikes on a much smaller scale, but can be significantly devastating nonetheless.
I write a lot about
reconstruction services for construction defects and capital repairs on this blog. But, in the event of smaller scale property disasters, prompt "restoration" must be done before a property can be put back together, and it must be done immediately. And this restoration is critical to protect the well-being of property residents, neighborhood and public health, to prevent other more serious problems from arising, and to restore and maintain property values.
Smaller-scale property disasters include damage from fire and smoke, sewage and water intrusion, mold and other environmental hazards and biohazards (such as asbestos, lead, and drug lab clean-up), and damage caused by vehicle accidents and falling trees. These sorts of disasters happen all the time: a washing machine overflow from one condo into another, a sewer backup into a common garage, asbestos discovered in the walls of an older property, a meth lab being run out of a rental apartment, a wind blown tree smashing a roof in, etc. So, maintaining a solid relationship with a quality restoration vendor or two is more than just a good thing, it's a necessity for property owners and management companies.
Below are few restoration vendors I've worked with, and which provide excellent, prompt and efficient, high quality restoration services 24/7/365, as well as a few others I haven't worked with, but which I've heard great things about...
Lyon Restoration - Owner Nick Lyon is great to work with, and his company is backed by the resources of the national chain "Service Team of Professionals" so they can offer a wide range of quality restoration services from the basics to full-scale biohazard clean-up.
HarBro - My personal experience working with Harbro was for restoration of exterior, interior, and structural damage caused by a huge tree which fell onto an HOA's common roof during a wind/rain storm. HarBro's crews were on the scene in under an hour, and had much of the damage restored in less than two weeks - despite interior damage to 4 condo units, structural damage to one unit which required the services of a structural engineer, and having to wait for approval from 5 insurance carriers before proceeding with some repairs.
Restoration Management Company - I've worked with RMC on many restoration projects, from water losses to fires with smoke damage, and frankly they are simply excellent. Bay Area supervisor Austin Thomas and his crews are awesome, prompt, professional, and highly recommended. They are a personal favorite of mine for the simple reason that - as I always say - "you are only as good as your vendors, and your vendors can make or break you." Restoration Management will make you shine to your clients and/or residents.
ServPro - ServPro is a national chain which provides all sorts of commercial and residential restoration and cleaning services. I've never worked with them but they are recommended by top Bay Area State Farm Insurance Agent Toan Tieu.Feel free to contact me for other vendor recommendations or for help managing your Bay Area restoration and reconstruction projects. We're here to help get your property restored and back up and running quickly.
Cheers,
I-Beam Management AssociatesPresident / Founder
allison@ibeamsf.com1-877-I-Beam-SF
(1-877-423-2673)
