Blog

“Maintenance Mania” Crowns Best Maintenance Technician in the Country!

June 30th, 2010

New Orleans – Are you handy around the house? One group is taking maintenance work to a new level!

3000 maintenance technicians from across the country compete for 20 spots on the “Maintenance Mania” competition at the New Orleans Convention Center. They race against each other in 8 different events, and the person with the quickest time wins. This year’s winner, David from Indianapolis, can change a smoke detector in 9 seconds!

Tony Cintron from New Jersey says it isn’t easy.

“The hardest part for me was the fan,” he said. “I couldn’t get the blades in.”

The finalists want to remind everyone to check the batteries in your smoke detector once a week and if you ever need anything fixed, call a maintenance tech!

 

Article Source: http://www.abc26.com/news/local/wgno-news-maintenance-mania,0,1716936.story


Thanks for attending…

June 30th, 2010

A big thanks for everyone who attended the NAA conference in New Orleans last week!

We got a chance to meet some great new people and reconnect with clients from years past! Oh…and the food wasn’t bad either!

One highlight of this year’s NAA conference was one of the guest speakers — former President George W. Bush. Click HERE to read his Presidential insights.
President George W. Bush at NAA

If you would like to see some pictures taken throughout the conference, check out the NAA Flickr Group at http://www.flickr.com/groups/1415457@N25/.

Save the date for the 2011 NAA Education Conference & Exposition which will be held June 23-25, 2011, in Las Vegas, Nev. Bookmark this site and visit often for updates!


Hire a Contractor Now, Before Damage Occurs

June 28th, 2010

By Scott McCurdy, Coastal Reconstruction

Quick remediation after damage occurs is necessary to ensure the livelihood of any community or business. Repairing damaged roofs and walls, broken windows, flooding and mold all require different expertise. Disaster contractors bundle all these services — even coordinating multiple sub-contractors for their clients — thereby remove the extra hassle from an already stressful situation.

Even with a solid emergency plan in place, it’s not possible to avoid all property damage – so you’re likely to need help in making repairs. Whether the damage is caused by wind from a hurricane, fire or water, disaster companies act as “first responders” beginning the restoration process quickly and efficiently.

All disaster contractors offer different types of reconstruction programs. By researching now and enrolling for appropriate services, you can weather the upcoming storm season with confidence.


Tips for Choosing a Disaster Contractor

  • Verify the company’s general contractor’s license. Visit a national web site like www.contractors-license.org to validate a general contractor’s license. Through this web site, you will also be able to check for any complaints against the company.
  • Check a list of references. Ask for a list of recent references – preferably completed projects similar to yours. Research any complaints against the company on the Better Business Bureau’s web site.
  • Ask for proof of insurance. Call to verify coverage. Also, make sure the company employs licensed contractors and technicians.
  • If applicable, confirm the company’s certifications. For example, to effectively eradicate water damage, it is imperative to hire a contractor with an Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Companies and individuals with this certification are required to complete repairs to the highest of industry standards.
  • Check out the company’s web site. Read any testimonials, view past job photos and find out how long the company has been in business.
  • Obtain everything in writing – including estimates, contracts and any guarantees. If all repairs are not covered under the insurance policy, make any final payments after the work is completed. Get a local building permit, if necessary.

Scott McCurdy is the co-owner of Coastal Reconstruction Group. Coastal Reconstruction’s Rapid Response services provide post-disaster reconstruction to residential and commercial structures throughout the Southeastern U.S. For more information, visit www.coastalreconstruction.com.


If Disaster Strikes, Do Your Employees Know How to React?

June 28th, 2010

Join Us at the FALA Disaster Seminar!

The Florida Assisted Living Association (FALA) will host a seminar on disaster preparedness and best insurance practices. Attendees will learn how they can be better prepared to master their next disaster. Seminar hosts include Scott McCurdy of Coastal Reconstruction Group and Ron D’Addio of the Plastridge Agency.

When:   Wednesday, June 30
                9 a.m. to 11 a.m.

Where:   Residential Plaza at Blue Lagoon
                 5617 NW 7th St.
                 Miami, FL 33126

Cost:   $5 for members and $10 for non-members. Lunch will be provided.

For more information, visit www.falausa.com.


Come visit us at booth 1148 RIGHT NOW!

June 25th, 2010

Why aren’t you in the Big Easy?


Coastal Reconstruction is off to the Big Easy…

June 21st, 2010

Join Us at the National Apartment Association (NAA) trade show in New Orleans!

The 2010 NAA Education Conference & Exposition June 24- 26 in New Orleans brings together more than 5,000 multi-family housing professionals for three days of the best professional development training in the industry. This event boasts world-class general session speakers, 40 education sessions in nine tracks led by topic experts and 300 suppliers demonstrating the latest products and services.

Stop by the Coastal Reconstruction Group booth #1148 to meet the team, learn about our Rapid Response program and receive exciting giveaways!

NAA Conference


Disaster Preparedness Tips from Scott McCurdy #6

June 17th, 2010

Know who to call when disaster strikes.

Most people have made up their mind that a disaster is not ever going to happen to them. It is not if, it is when, so prepare now — while the sun is shining. Interview and check out contractors like Coastal Reconstruction Group that specialize in disaster restoration. Do your research now, before the storm, and you will be way ahead of the game when disaster strikes!


What types of disasters does Coastal Reconstruction Group mitigate?

June 16th, 2010

As disaster contractors, the Coastal Reconstruction team is experienced in remediating damage from causes ranging from severe weather … to human error … or equipment malfunction.

We define a “disaster” as an occurrence that causes widespread destruction and distress. In accordance with that definition, we repair damage from:

• Hurricanes
• Tornados
• Storms
• Floods/Water damage
• Wind fire
• Insect (including termites)

Our Advice

Prepare now. Verify that your insurance coverage is up-to-date and includes the necessary provisions to protect your property in the event of a disaster. And remember: Quick remediation is imperative to get your home, business or facility back to pre-disaster status. For example, water damage left untreated can lead to mold, and insect infestation can diminish structural integrity.

Enrolling for services like our Rapid Response program is also a “must” for severe weather preparedness. It’s free and helps facilitate repairs in the quickest manner possible.

Another avenue to consider in advance is “discovery” – a service provided by Coastal to determine if your building’s structure has any deficiencies, like mold or insect intrusion. Click here for more information about all of our services or call us at (877) 708-5501.


Are your properties an insurance “Do” or “Don’t”?

June 15th, 2010

Scott McCurdy has the answers.

The Orlando Regional Realtor Association (ORRA) will host Scott McCurdy of Coastal Reconstruction Group to discuss how to best insure your properties against disaster. Following the insurance preparedness information, Terry Weiss, with The Law Offices of Heist, Weisse & Davis, P.A. will present a comprehensive program about best practices for leasing and contracts. This course is worth three continuing education credits.

When:   Wednesday, June 16
               9 a.m. to 3 p.m. (Continental breakfast provided by Coastal Reconstruction Group; box lunch
               provided by ORRA)

Where:   Orlando Regional Realtor Association
                1330 Lee Road
                Orlando, FL 32810

Cost:   $30 for ORRA members; $45 for non-ORRA members; Registration fee + $15 for walk-ins

For questions or additional information about registering, please email education@orlrealtor.com or call 407-513-7269.


Hire a Contractor Now, Before Damage Occurs

June 14th, 2010

Quick remediation after damage occurs is necessary to ensure the livelihood of any community or business. Apartment community owners must be prepared to manage displaced residents, handle insurance claims and facilitate repairs as efficiently as possible. For that reason, a well-thought-out emergency plan is essential to property management duties. And critical to that: engaging the right service partners.

Repairing damaged roofs and walls, broken windows, flooding and mold all require different expertise. Disaster contractors bundle all these services — even coordinating multiple sub-contractors for their clients — thereby remove the extra hassle from an already stressful situation.

Even with a solid emergency plan in place, it’s not possible to avoid all property damage – so you’re likely to need help in making repairs. Whether the damage is caused by wind from a hurricane, fire or water, disaster companies act as “first responders” beginning the restoration process quickly and efficiently.

Coastal Reconstruction Group — a Florida-based disaster contractor — offers Rapid Response, a program that is cost-free to owners and property managers. As part of this service, crews arrive onsite within four hours of the reported damage to assess any immediate needs* (e.g., boarding up windows, installing a roof tarp and doing anything necessary to stop water penetration) — regardless of the magnitude of the loss. If mold appears to be an issue, the team begins installing dehumidifiers and dryers. Coastal Reconstruction Group representatives then will meet with you and your insurance adjuster to agree on a scope of work and price that will restore the property to its previous condition.

Of course, Rapid Response is just one example. All disaster contractors offer different types of reconstruction programs. By researching now and enrolling for appropriate services, you can weather the upcoming storm season with confidence.

* During any named storm, our Rapid Response members will be given priority status. Coastal Reconstruction Group cannot guarantee a specific time window due to all the unpredictable variables that arise during such an event.