Fire Reinstatement.
Fire damage reinstatement is a specialist area of reinstatement. Many contractors tackle fire losses with no realisation of the manner in which fire losses should be approached. The communication aspects between all parties is crucial, as is the transparency of the reinstatement project.
It must also be remembered that, in relation to domestic properties, there is a human element to the issue which should not be overlooked. Alternative Accommodation costs must be included within the total of cost of reinstatement. For example, the most expensive contractor might be undertaking the works more efficiently than the lowest tender, however when all costs have been analysed, the most expensive contractor may prove to be the most economical.
Similarly, in Commercial losses, Loss of Profit, Business Interruption and Increased Cost of Working costs might be extended by utilising the services of the most competitive tender. Cost analysis, therefore, is an important factor when deciding on a contractor.
We are involved with as many as 8 large loss domestic fires per month, for entire houses, and values can range from £5,000.00 to £260,000.00 per project.
With a trained and skilled workforce, we have implemented systems and structures to tackle fire affected properties, and to ensure a robust and reliable service is provided. It is worthwhile pointing out that no aspect of this work is sub-contracted.
Although it may seem obvious that fire affected materials need to be removed, the property cleaned and then reinstated, we have been brought into many situations where contractors have caused problems for themselves by ignoring critical issues at the beginning of the process.
For example, we take time to measure, photograph and take details relating to doors, windows, kitchens, radiator installation points, the location of electrical circuitry, thickness of insulation materials, presence of asbestos, and other critical reinstatement aspects before we commence the strip-out works.
Clear communication with neighbours is also crucial, throughout the project. Removal of fire damaged materials, which can contain contaminated items (non-asbestos), takes place using skilled, trained operatives. Trucks are used to remove debris rather than skips, and the debris is removed to a waste disposal site from the location of the fire. The correct application of skilled trades to the project, as well as detailed pre-start meetings with all concerned, reduces time wasted at a later point.
We have been fortunate enough to have been asked to tender for large quantities of fire reinstatement projects, from a number of sources, and for locations throughout the UK. These range from church buildings and commercial premises which have been completely destroyed by fire to small residential fires. Photographs relating to some of the fires we have been involved with are on this site.
Each project receives the same attention; regular inspection, updates to the instructing principal and customer, photographic evidence of the progress of the reinstatement, and a clear path to the completion date. No surprises, no undelivered promises and no excuses.
By regularly inspecting projects using our team of Supervisors, and meeting with the Foreman of the relevant trade regularly, we eliminate what is traditionally referred to as ‘snagging’ by ensuring that issues are resolved on a trade by trade basis. Each stage is monitored, checked for adherence to the specification of works, and quality checked for completion before the next trade commences. We also provide tangible refunds for work which has been scheduled but not required. When did you last receive a refund from an estimated project?
We feature on several Major & Complex Loss panels for Chartered Loss Adjusters, as well as having excellent relations with the many firms of Chartered Surveyors in Scotland. We are one of 3 contractors listed to receive work from 5 major companies with specific and regular sources of fire projects.
We are considered by many of our instructing principals to have the best approach to fire reinstatement. We have references from many sources relating to known, identifiable sizeable fire losses throughout Scotland, and photographic evidence of the progress of the works.
We have been instrumental in reinstating a significant quantity of fire affected properties in recent years, and have structures in place for tackling high volume incidents of this type.
