Three general stages typically make up a ‘general’ restoration: Emergency, Estimate/Approval and Rebuild/Repair.
1. EMERGENCY:
Damaged areas are removed or dealt with as required; wet is dried, dirty is cleaned, and items unable to be cleaned, dried or repaired (non-restorable) are removed.
What happens during ‘Emergency’:
The Project Manager contacts the authorized person to arrange our resources to mitigate further damage.After the damage has been mitigated, the Project Manager will detail a scope of work. This will document the plan for the next phase of restoration, and the estimated timelines.
The work then takes place and an On Side technician checks the progress of the damage and removes equipment when ready.
For most small to medium claims the emergency process is ten days or less.
2. ESTIMATE/APPROVAL
Cost details associated with work needing to be done in order to bring property back to a pre-loss condition, are developed, agreed upon by all relevant parties and are then implemented.
What happens during ‘Estimate/Approval’
The Project Manager will develop an itemized repair plan based on an Insurance Adjuster’s guidelines (if applicable as not all losses involve an Adjuster) in order to restore the damaged areas. This is known as the scope of repair. This scope will be reviewed and may be subject to approval by the Insurance Adjuster before On Side proceeds.Depending on the extent of the damage, competitive bids may be requested by the Insurance Adjuster. This is called a Bid Process. Many companies require bids from more than one restoration firm before allowing a rebuild to proceed. Any time delays regarding a Bid Process should be discussed and understood at this time. On Side’s preferred vendor status, with the majority of Insurance Companies, allows us to immediately proceed with your claim, avoiding delays.
If the loss is under a deductible amount, it will not become a claim (which is a loss submitted to an Insurance Company). Further, some clients are “privately” insured and again, Insurance is not involved. For this reason, the authorized person can simply confirm that On Side can proceed with repair. There is often no delay in this process.
3. REBUILD/REPAIR
Materials are installed and finishes are completed to bring property back to pre-loss condition.
What happens during ‘Rebuild’
Once the repair scope of work and rebuild work has been approved, the Project Manager will contact the authorized person to arrange for the repairs to begin. Our On Side crews and trade partners will attend the loss and assist in scheduling based on all job details. Progress and status updates are documented by the Project Manager.
Once the restoration is complete, we will ensure that the quality of the repair materials, repair techniques and workmanship described on the estimate meet professional repair standards. A Certificate of Completion will need to be signed and documented.
The rebuild phase timing is highly variable depending on available trades, material stock, regulatory approvals, property owner’s choice and approval of materials, finishes and colours. The Project Manager should communicate what to expect and reinforce the importance of the authorized person’s role in keeping the project on schedule.
