Tips from Sunrise Cleaning and Construction Services

The Purpose of this Information

Since homeowners do not regularly need our services, we have prepared this web page as an informative guide to help you better understand the insurance repair process.

Sunrise’s procedures are designed to provide professional, prompt, competent and courteous service throughout the entire repair process. If you have any questions or don’t understand something, please ask. We are always dedicated to servicing you.

Emergency Tips 

The Do’s and Don’ts when Disaster strikes!

The following Emergency Tips were compiled by members and staff of the National Institute of Disaster Restoration, based on their wide experience with various types of damage. It is not likely that your situation will require all these procedures, so apply those which are appropriate.

Fire & Smoke Damage

After fire damage it is natural to want to jump right in and clean the building and contents. Timely action can be a great help, but incorrect action can jeopardize or impede satisfactory restoration. One call to the experienced Sunrise staff is all you need to immediately begin to recover from your fire or smoke loss. We are trained to immediately being the following steps.

  • Do…

    • Clean and protect chrome trim on faucets and other bright work by washing with detergent and applying a coating of Vaseline or oil.
    • Blow off or brush-vacuum loose smoke particles from upholstery, draperies and carpeting.
    • Open windows for ventilation if weather permits.
    • Empty refrigerators and freezers if electricity is off, and prop doors open with a rolled towel or newspaper to allow air circulation.
    • Pour antifreeze in toilet bowls, tanks, sink and tub drains to prevent freeze damage if heat is off in winter.
    • Call a plumber to drain and blow out all water lines if heat is off in winter.
    • Remove pets to a clean environment if heavy fire residues are present.
    • Send a sample group of garments for cleaning and deodorization in order to observe the results.
    • Call Sunrise to board up open windows, roofs, or other penetrations in order to prevent additional damage.

  • Do not…

    • Wipe or attempt to wash fire residues from walls, ceilings, or other absorbent surfaces. Smoke residue can be permanently “set” if not cleaned properly.
    • Use carpeting or upholstered furniture impacted by heavy smoke residues or debris.
    • Use food items or canned goods exposed to heat or smoke.
    • Turn on computers, TVs, stereos, or electrical appliances until they have been cleaned and checked.
    • Water Damage
    • Water damage arises from fire damage, broken pipes, blocked drains, malfunctioning appliances, storms, and other causes. The appropriate treatment depends on the nature of the damage. Some water carries contaminants and should be considered hazardous (see Sewage and Flood Damage, below). Whatever the origin, the prospects for restoration depend largely on the speed with which your building and personal property can be dried. Even clean water can generate mildew, mold and other bacterial growth in a very short time if neglected.

Water Damage

  • Do…

    • Ventilate wet areas. Turn on air conditioning for accelerated drying.
    • Remove standing water from flat surfaces by sponging and blotting.
    • Take up saturated rugs and carpets when hardwood floors are at risk.
    • Stay out of rooms where ceilings are sagging from retained water.
    • Transport computers to a dry environment, remove cases and blow dry with low pressure air.
    • Remove lamps, telephones and decorative items from wet furniture tops.
    • Open drawers and cabinet doors for interior drying but do not force open stuck drawers or doors.
    • Freeze valuable books and documents to retard mildew growth until drying can be performed.
    • Place aluminum foil squares, china saucers or wood blocks under furniture legs to avoid carpet staining.

  • Do not…

    • Operate TVs, vacuums or other appliances while standing on wet carpet or floors. Serious injury may result.
    • Use heat to dry closed building interiors; mildew and expanded moisture damage may result.
    • Leave wet fabrics in place; space them apart and dry as soon as possible.
    • Sewage & Flood Damage
    • Raw sewage and flood waters contain bacteria and other microorganisms which are extremely hazardous to human health. These can be transmitted by touching contaminated items or by tracking them into uncontaminated areas on shoes. Children and pets are especially vulnerable. Frequent hand washing is an important preventive measure. Absorbent materials such as carpeting, and drywall may not be restorable after direct contact with sewage-contaminated or flood-contaminated water.

Sewage & Flood Damage

  • Do…

    • Treat all water-impacted surfaces and furnishings as toxic, until properly decontaminated.
    • Keep children and pets out of contaminated areas.

  • Do not…

    • Track contaminated material into undamaged areas.
    • Attempt to decontaminate surfaces with sprays and other over-the-counter germicidal products, which may not fully sanitize contaminated surfaces.
    • Soot (Furnace) Damage
    • While soot may resemble smoke residues from a fire, the restoration of soot damage often requires different techniques. Incorrect action can make restoration more difficult and delay the return to normal.

Soot (Furnace) Damage

  • Do…

    • Change and save the old furnace filter.
    • Blow off or brush-vacuum loose soot particles from upholstery, draperies and carpets.
    • Cover upholstery with clean sheets before use.

  • Do not…

    • Attempt to wash walls, ceilings or contents without professional assistance.
    • Vandalism Damage
    • Vandalism often involves spray paint on walls, defacement of furnishings, or spreading noxious substances. It is one of the most difficult forms of damage to restore. Prompt action can often minimize the effect of vandalism or make restoration more successful.

Vandalism Damage

  • Do…

    • Hose down or wash egg damage from building exteriors as soon as possible.
    • Vacuum glass particles from carpet and upholstery.
    • Save containers and spray cans which can reveal the composition of inks and pigments.
    • Save all wood chips and fragments from furniture, porcelain or art objects.

  • Do not…

    • Attempt to remove ink, paint or cosmetic stains; they can be permanently set if not handled properly.

The National Institute of Disaster Restoration is a division of the Restoration Industry Association and is composed of professional damage repair contractors and service firms specializing in the restoration of homes, schools and businesses damaged by fire, smoke, water, vandalism, and other perils. Member firms provide emergency services as well as preservation of buildings and personal property.

As independent damage repair specialists, NIDR members provide impartial advice on the scope of repairs required after disasters. They adhere to a comprehensive code of ethics and are backed by the technical expertise and laboratory resources of RIA. Member firms participate in research, seminars, and training programs in the restoration arts. The NIDR member in your area is a good firm to know and reliable source for information and service when damage occurs.

Pack Outs

In the event the interior of your home has sustained severe damage, a “pack out” may be recommended as a part of the emergency service procedures. A “pack out” is the term we use to describe the procedure of transferring your household contents to Sunrise’s plant and storage facility for the purpose of cleaning and deodorizing them. This procedure serves as a preventive measure so that your contents do not suffer any further smoke or water damage.

Your contents will be inventoried within your home or business, carefully packaged, and moved by our technicians to sunrise’s warehouse facility. Upon receipt of your furnishings in the plant, they will be restored through a thorough cleaning and deodorization process.

Sunrise recognizes your need for work and other clothing, too. We offer emergency dry-cleaning and laundry services so that you have one less worry at this time. Dry-cleaning and laundry is done room by room so that it is stored in a logical manner.

After your contents are cleaned, they will be stored in our facility until your home repairs are complete or until you have made other housing arrangements.

The Estimate

After emergency service repairs are complete, Sunrise will prepare a detailed estimate for you and your insurance carrier outlining necessary repairs of the structure, for the contents or for a combination of both. After we obtain approval from you and our insurance carrier, the repairs are scheduled to begin.

You are not required to get more than one estimate. You can choose the contractor of your choice to perform the repair work on your property.

Please realize contractor prices will vary. There are big differences between restoration specialists, remodelers, and contractors. We strongly recommend that you use a certified restoration contractor.

Sunrise has always been committed to providing quality services at a reasonable cost. We do not offer “good, cheap” restoration repairs because we do not believe there is such a thing. However, as a full-service restoration contractor, we strive to offer excellent, competitively priced repairs.

Sunrise prepares its estimates only for the repair or replacement of the items damaged as a result of the insurance claim. In preparing your estimate we make every effort to use our expertise in writing a thorough, honest, and comprehensive report of apparent damage. However, and estimate is just that… an estimate.

Occasionally hidden damage is found. If this occurs, we immediately notify you and the insurance company about the supplemental repairs. After we document hidden damage and obtain approval from the insurance company, the repair process is continued.

Professional Qualifications

To be competitive in the restoration industry, we are continuously upgrading our equipment keeping abreast of technological changes.

Re-investing in our business enables us to serve you in a cost-effective manner.

We are continually educating our staff as to new advances and procedures in the restoration industry.

Our technicians are trained, and Sunrise is an active member of the National Institute of Disaster Restoration (NIDR) which is a subsidiary of the Restoration Industry Association (RIA).

Scott McCorvie, President of Sunrise, has achieved the respected title of Certified Restorer from the National Institute of Disaster Restoration. The Certified Restorer designation is the highest recognition awarded in the cleaning and restoration industry to professionals engaged in property damage restoration.

All our employees take pride in their work and in the company. You will be able to identify our employees by their high quality of workmanship and by the Sunrise uniforms they wear.

Due to the specialty nature of some of the repairs that may be necessary, Sunrise may subcontract those repairs to specialty tradesmen. All subcontractors that are affiliated with Sunrise are skilled, quality craftsmen and are fully insured.

Repair Process

The repair process begins after we obtain approvals from you and the insurance company.

After this approval is obtained, the Estimator, who prepared the original repair specifications (estimate), will pass the information on to a Project Manager who will begin to organize the repair process

The Project Manager is responsible for all aspects of a job’s production.

The Project Manager will meet with you to help select materials such as carpet, paint, wallpaper, exterior siding, etc. Estimates will be presented to you which will enable you to understand each step that is taken in the restoration process. If you are interested in following the progress of our job, the Project Manager will assist you. If you have any questions regarding the repair specifications, ask your Project Manager.

Cost Allowances and Material Choices 

Near the beginning of the repair process, the Project Manager will provide you with a list of cost allowances that have been allocated to replace damaged materials such as carpet and flooring, paint, wallpaper, siding, etc. The allocated costs will be sufficient to purchase and install materials that are equivalent to the style and quality of those that were damaged.

For many items, the Project Manager will provide you with a variety of samples for easy “at home” shopping. Some items will require you to visit our distributors to make your selections. The Project Manager will provide you with a list of approved suppliers.

Your prompt selection of materials will allow sufficient time for the delivery of all materials and will avoid scheduling delays.

Change Orders 

Should you wish to upgrade your selections, or have additional improvements made to your home that are not a part of the insurance claim, please notify the Project Manager who can quote you on the additional cost.

Completion

Due to the complexity of restoration repairs, we cannot guarantee a completion date. We will give you an approximate date of completion. We try very hard to coordinate schedules, order materials ahead of time, and make every effort to control the repair process productively and efficiently. However, delays do sometimes occur.

Sunrise offers our new customers the same courtesy that we extended to you during your emergency service. In doing so, scheduling changes do occur from time to time. Should this type of temporary delay occur, your patience is appreciated.

Business Hours 

Unless repairs are deemed to be an emergency service, all repairs to your home will completed during our normal business hours of 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. If you cannot be available during these hours, Sunrise can install a lock box on your home so that the repair process can continue with minimal interruption of your daily activities.

Insurance Companies 

Over the years we have found that the insurance repair process works very well for you, the customer who has suffered a loss. Your insurance adjuster and Sunrise have the same objective: to help you through this difficult time.

You are the boss. After a loss, especially a large one, you may be feeling overwhelmed, helpless or vulnerable. Most people’s lives are already extremely busy. An unexpected loss can be disruptive, chaotic and stressful. Take comfort in the fact that you have more control in this situation than you may think. The insurance repair process is designed to address your concerns, and to correct the problems caused by your loss. Your adjuster and contractor both work for you!

On every loss, you:

  • Get to choose the contractor to perform the restoration work.
  • Have control of the payment disbursements. Insurance drafts will have your name on them.
  • Three roles with the same goal. The insurance restoration process is a partnership between you, your insurance company and Sunrise – all with the same goal, which is to return things to normal as soon as possible.

Your adjuster can tell you that his/her job is to “make you whole,” within the coverage of your insurance policy. We will work with you and your adjuster to obtain an agreed scope of repairs quickly, at a fair price, approved in advance.

Our responsibility at Sunrise is to be the best restoration company we can be. We will listen to your concerns and provide professional service.

We are here to help you through the process and ease your burden.

Guarantee & Payment 

Guarantee

Sunrise is fully insured and offers a written one-year limited warranty on the repairs made to your home or property.

Payment

Your insurance carrier will be providing you with an insurance draft for payment of the repairs to your home. Depending on the magnitude or type of repairs involved, you may receive several progress payments during the work. Your insurance company may wish to issue payment in full prior to the work being started or, in some cases, after the repairs have been completed. The Estimator or Project Manager will discuss these arrangements with you and your insurance carrier early in the repair process.

Generally, insurance drafts will be made payable to you, Sunrise, and sometimes a lending institution if you have a mortgage or home equity loan. Because of the extensive amount of information and paperwork required by most mortgage companies, a Sunrise representative will be happy to handle this part of the endorsement process for you.

Sunrise requests payment in full on an agreed upon draw schedule before any change orders are started, and to be paid in full upon substantial completion of our work for you.

To avoid delays in the progress of your restoration work, please let your Project Manager know when you receive payment for the repairs. This will enable Sunrise to begin the process of obtaining the endorsement of all payees on the draft, which can sometimes be a lengthy process.

Deductibles

Please remember that you are responsible for any insurance deductible. For your convenience, Sunrise accepts Visa and MasterCard payments.

Sorry – no credit terms available.

Feel free to call us if you have any questions regarding Sunrise’s policies, procedures or about any part of the restoration process.

We are here to service your needs!