Four Reasons To Hire a Restoration Company Instead of a General Contractor

7/26/2022 (Permalink)

If you've experienced any kind of fire, water, storm, or mold damage to your home in northern Idaho, chances are, you are not going to opt for “do-it-yourself” no matter how much building experience you have. Instead, you need to hire a professional builder who can properly assess what needs to be done and who can restore your home to its pre-damaged condition. 

But if you're thinking about hiring a general contractor to perform the work, think again. General contractors are great if you intend to remodel a house or build a new house from the ground up, but when it comes to rebuilding after a disaster, your best bet is to search for "restoration contractors near me" and, when you do, you'll find that our experts at SERVPRO are the best technicians available to handle every aspect of your restoration job from start to finish. Here’s why.

1. Specialized Skills

For starters, most general contractors outsource their jobs to subcontractors while they manage and oversee the project. They often work with the same subs, and that’s a good business practice. But when it comes to restoration, you can’t work with just any sub. Restoration work is different. It’s not just a question of building know-how, it is a question of water damage, fire damage, storm damage, and mold remediation know-how. 

When you hire restoration specialists, technicians who are highly trained in specific types of damage restoration will perform all the work. At SERVPRO of Coeur d'Alene, our staff have IICRC industry certifications and undergo additional certification and franchise training. They are required to take part in continuing education classes to ensure that they know about the most up-to-date technologies and practices for repairing and restoring homes with fire, water, storm, or mold damage.

2. Thorough Service

If you hire a general contractor to perform restoration work on your home after damage, the subcontractors will certainly do their best, but the fact is, they may not have the necessary equipment to perform the cleaning, drying, or extraction processes that a professional restoration company will have. After all, their bread and butter is straight construction, and it does not make sense to purchase special equipment or provide extra training to their personnel if they rarely have to utilize that equipment or those skills.

For example, if your home has been damaged by a flood, leak, or even a fire that was extinguished by fire hoses, our experts use advanced detection devices to find water that is still present or that may have seeped into walls, attics, or floor joists in areas that look undamaged. We also have commercial drying equipment that is not available at a local big-box construction store. 

Even more, for fire damage, it is not uncommon for soot and smoke to have left residue in rooms that are completely undamaged by the fire itself. That residue can create odors, cause paint or other finishes to discolor over time, and may even be toxic, leading to respiratory or other health problems. A general contractor will probably ignore those spaces that are not visibly damaged by a disaster, but a restoration company goes beyond what is visible.

3. Affordable Service

Because general contractors outsource their jobs to other trades, you end up paying not only the subcontractors’ fees, but you’ll probably end up paying a premium on that, as general contractors often charge their own fees over and above what they pay their subs. Moreover, general contractors probably won’t bother helping you with an insurance claim.

When you choose SERVPRO of Coeur d'Alene, we know what insurance companies need in order to substantiate your claim. While we can’t handle every aspect of your insurance claim, we understand that your financial well-being depends on having the insurance company cover the maximum amount of your restoration bill depending on the coverage you have. We will work with you to make sure you get the best service at the best price, with adequate documentation, to minimize any hassle or out-of-pocket costs.

4. 24-Hour Emergency Service

If your disaster occurs at night or on a weekend, chances are, you won’t be able to reach a general contractor or other conventional builder. At SERVPRO we offer 24/7 emergency services, so whether you wake up in the middle of the night to fire, water, or storm damage, you can expect an immediate response.

Contact SERVPRO of Coeur d'Alene today to learn more about the different services we offer and how we can help restore your home after a disaster.

Spring Homeowner Tips

4/28/2022 (Permalink)

Spring Homeowner Tips

Spring has finally sprung! It's that time of year again to spring clean and do some yearly home maintenance. Here are some tips and tricks to help make sure you cover all your bases. 

# 1    Vacuum/Clean Refrigerator Condenser Coils

Did you know that condenser coils on the back of your fridge will collect dust & this dust can inhibit its operation! Refrigerators are expensive to replace so one small step can make a HUGE impact!

# 2   Fixing cracks

Taking care of cracks in your home are essential for many issues that can surface. If you see a crack in your wall, floor, driveway or outside your home- don’t wait to address the situation. Fixing these issues can be fairly inexpensive and are, for the most part, easily taken care of.

# 3    Cleaning the Exhaust Hood

A dirty kitchen vent may contribute to a fire hazard. Wash off any accumulated grime & replace any filter (if needed). Exhaust hoods are simple maintenance. Make sure to clean yours regularly to prevent damage and/or fires from occurring.

# 4    Screens

Cleaning and repairing screens- gently scrub on a flat surface with soapy water (patching small holes were needed). This little tip can help keep those pesky spring & summer bugs at bay.

# 5    Dryer Vents

Sometimes lint gets trapped in the dryer vent compartment. A plugged vent can waste your money, or even worse, start a house fire! Cleaning these out can save you money and can also save your home!

# 6   Inspect Your Roof

Delay in checking your roof can result in water damage issues later. Checking ahead of time can prevent future damages!

# 7    Air Conditioning

Maintaining your air conditioning system is a top priority for any homeowner. Check the coils, clean the pan and change the filter.

# 8    Cleaning the Washing Machine

Front-loading machines tend to gather water in the door seal. This exposes water throughout the wash cycle. Mold and mildew can grow if these areas aren’t cleaned out. Once it grows, it can be difficult to eradicate. Regular cleaning of your machine can help it function more efficiently! It can also save you from having to replace it altogether. Make this is habit: For front-loading machines… leave the machine open to dry after each load. Wipe down the inside of the machine and clean the seal every couple of loads.

Specialty Cleaning Services

4/28/2022 (Permalink)

Specialty Cleaning Services

The certified technicians at SERVPRO^® are available to help homeowners tackle specialty cleaning projects around the house like air duct and HVAC cleaning, biohazard cleaning, odor removal, graffiti cleanup and so much more.

Some Cleaning Jobs Require a Pro

As any homeowner knows, maintaining your home takes constant work to keep it looking good and operating at its best. Some things you can handle on your own, but sometimes you need a team of professionals. That’s when you can rely on SERVPRO’s specialty cleaning services. 

We’re trained to clean your HVAC system and air ducts; perform odor removal in your home; can help restore documents that may have been damaged from water, fire or smoke; and also clean up following accidents or traumatic events such as crime scenes. Our technicians have the backing of a company with more than 50 years of experience in the restoration industry. We have the tools it takes to handle all your specialty home cleaning projects so your family can have a clean, safe environment to call home.

Why Choose SERVPRO for Specialty Cleaning?

Provide 24/7 Emergency Service

Highly Trained Technicians

#1 in the Cleanup and Restoration Industry

We’re a trusted leader in the restoration industry.

Easier Insurance Claims Process

Residential and Commercial Cleaning Services

4/14/2022 (Permalink)

Residential and Commercial Cleaning Services 

Cleaning doesn't have to be a pain! 

04/7/2022

SERVPRO of Coeur d'Alene will be celebrating our 15th anniversary as a locally owned and operated business this year (2022). We celebrate this accomplishment and remember the decades of successful customer service in this industry and with SERVPRO as a whole! SERVPRO of Coeur d'Alene is always looking to hire and train eager, hard working and dedicated individuals to join our SERVPRO of Coeur d'Alene family. Our training is "in-house" and we have "on the job experience" which means new employees will learn all about the restoration industry as they work daily with their supervisors and mentors. The working environment, although always professional, is fun and family focused. You can always count on SERVPRO of Coeur d'Alene to provide fast, accurate and professionally trained technicians and supervisors on every job. We are on call 24/7 to help you with your home or business emergencies.

Cleaning doesn't have to be a pain! Our professionals are ready to help when you need us most. If you have concerns about smoke or soot damage, grime, build up or deterioration, feel free to call us. We offer: 

• 24 Hour Emergency Services 
• Faster to Any Size Disaster
• Highly Trained Technicians 
• A Trusted Leader in the Restoration Industry
• Locally Owned and Operated
• Advanced Restoration and Cleaning Equipment
• 1-4-8 Response Time Guarantee

Do You Have Questions? Call SERVPRO of Coeur d'Alene today @ 208-457-1234. 

COVID, COVID and more COVID!

9/23/2021 (Permalink)

COVID, COVID and more COVID!

Will this EVER end?

9/23/2021

The world as we know it has turned upside down. Many of us see things totally different than we did a few years ago. There is much fear, worry and anxiety whether you yourself have experienced COVID, know someone who has or have just heard about it. 

Many businesses are still being affected by having a shortage of staff, not bringing in enough revenue to keep their doors open and have the constant question in their minds of "Will we continue to have enough business to survive". What can SERVPRO of Coeur d'Alene do to help? 

Fogging has become a mandatory procedure for many businesses. When we fog, it helps to sanitize and disinfect an area to limit the airborne pathogens. It doesn't matter what kind of business you have, everyone is wanting to stay afloat, keep their customers and employees safe and worry free. We cannot eliminate COVID, but we can limit the effects. 

Remember, we are in the community and we are here to help.

Call SERVPRO of Coeur d'Alene today @ 208-457-1234.

Disinfectants VS Sanitizers

4/20/2020 (Permalink)

Disinfectants VS Sanitizers

Is there a difference???

April 20, 2020

In today's world, it seems to be very different than just a few months ago. So many are living in fear of the future, while others are just trying to understand how they can keep themselves and their families safe. The Coronavirus has affected us all in one way or another. In this blog, we hope to share some information with you that will help you be more informed so that you and your loved ones stay safe and happy!

What is a disinfectant and what does it do? Disinfectants help in KILLING a wide range of microorganisms. Then what are sanitizers for? Sanitizers generally just REDUCE bacteria. Cleaners on the other hand, do neither. The main purpose of a cleaner is to remove DIRT from surfaces and materials. 

Sanitizers are certified through the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) for bacteria only. Disinfectants can also be certified to KILL viruses, mold, mildew and fungi. At SERVPRO of Coeur d'Alene we have hospital grade disinfectants to help with your needs (for home or business).

SERVPRO of Coeur d'Alene offers its support to the community with various services like fogging, spray and wipe and rental equipment (such as: air scrubbers, ozone machines, industrial fans and dehumidifiers). Our hope at SERVPRO of Coeur d'Alene is to educate and help our North Idaho area rise above the fears that are out there and prevent more spread of the virus. 

For more information or if you would like a bid, please call us direct at 208-457-1234.