Natural disasters—in the form of flood, fire, storm, or snowfall are a huge setback for the operational efficiency of a multi-family housing business. As soon as the building is damaged, it is important to take temporary precautionary measures to protect the property from additional damage. Owners or investors may require disaster restoration services to rebuild the property. When employing these services, there are certain focus areas which must be kept in mind. To help, this post outlines three critical focal points to consider when hiring a company specializing in this type of repair work.

1. Avoid Fraudulent Contractors

Property owners/manager of  multi-family housing who are looking for disaster restoration services can, unfortunately, fall victim to home repair scams and contractor fraud. Fraudulent contractors may steal money by offering inferior quality or incomplete repairs. Sometimes, they may complete the job, but charge an exorbitant cost for their services. Avoid scams by steering clear of:

• Phone book-only companies.
• Unlicensed service providers and those not licensed in your state.
• Companies that ONLY offer storm damage assistance.
• Those who show up at your door right after natural disasters.

TIP: Be PROACTIVE and have your contractor ready before severe weather affects your multi-family housing.

2. Photograph Documentation of the Natural Disaster’s Effect on Your Property

Photographs of the damaged property work as a proof for the insurance claim. It is recommended that you take the photos immediately after the damage and before the beginning of the restoration work.  Many reputable storm restoration companies have inspectors on staff who may be the best choice to document storm-related damage.  Also, if the property is not yet damaged, you should take a complete set of photographs of your multifamily property in its current condition, which would serve as “before damage” pictures in case of later disaster. In addition, keep all restoration receipts in place for insurance purposes.

Tip: Be PROACTIVE and document your property as is.

3. Know Local Building Codes and Permit Requirements

In most states in the U.S., it is illegal to perform demolition, permanent repairs, or site developments without having the required permits. It is, therefore, important to obtain proper permits when undertaking any commercial projects. After assessing your property post-disaster, contact your local building authority for information on required permits. Building permits are often required for new roof installation, interior remodeling, and new construction, among others.  A qualified local restoration contractor will be familiar with local building codes and requirements; hiring appropriately will streamline this process.

Tip: Be PROACTIVE and have a plan of action in place.

– Conclusion –

As soon as a natural disaster hits your property, you should contact a professional restoration service provider. However, it’s best to have a maintenance and storm monitoring service already established with a qualified service provider.  Time is money, and no one can afford to waste either.

The professionals at Roofing Annex are highly skilled and experienced with exterior renovation, interior remodeling, roofing, asset re-positioning, and everything that comes under disaster restoration services. Should you wish to learn more about our disaster restoration services, maintenance plans, and weather monitoring services, simply visit us at roofingannex.com/consultants