How to Document Natural Disasters in Restoration: Pointers for Contractors
Restoration
5 min read
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Sam Miller
RevOps Manager
Fires, storms and frigid temperatures can wreak havoc on homes, harming structures, finishes, furnishings, electronics and other valuable contents. When resulting disaster damage is extensive and more than a homeowner can handle, the situation requires quick attention. Your primary goal, of course, is to help the homeowner deal with the devastation. That requires a lot of different processes – and one of the most critical processes is proper documentation.
Why Proper Documentation in Disaster Restoration Is Important
How to Ensure Thorough, Consistent Documentation
When Documentation Should Take Place
Which Tools Are Needed at the Initial Walk-Through
The basics include:
A DSLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera, or a mobile device with a good-quality camera
A laser measuring device
Moisture meters and thermal imaging cameras for detecting water damage
A device for recording notes (some professionals like to use a voice-to-text app)
A mobile-device app that allows you to create accurate 2D and 3D floor-plan sketches onsite, instead of drawing sketches by hand
TIP: If you choose a floor-plan app that is more advanced – one that also lets you create a photo report and an estimate in a matter of minutes – that’s even better. A multi-functional app can be a game changer for increasing your productivity.
Read more: Why Warren Restoration replaced ‘the industry standard software’ with magicplan
What Types of Legal Documents Are Required
This will be dictated by current state laws. So, be sure to create and share any specific legal documents required by law in a project’s jurisdiction. For example, under Illinois law pertaining to home repair and construction, the homeowner must request – and the contractor must provide – a written list of the names and addresses of "all parties furnishing materials and labor and of the amounts due or to become due to each." This list, or affidavit, must appear either as part of the contract or in a separate printed statement. Other states will have their own specific requirements.
TIP: Visit your state attorney general’s website and search for information pertaining to contractors.
What to Document When Working on a Project
The rule of thumb is “document everything.” That may include all of the following:
Meaningful communication (conversations/correspondence) pertaining to the project
Administrative information
Meaningful observations at the job site
Public records of the event that damaged the property
Police/first-responder reports, if applicable
Efforts to secure and protect the property
Work-related documents (contracts, permits, change orders, etc.)
Homeowner’s insurance information
Damage assessment (cause of loss, resulting damages, floor plan, inventory of contents, possible extent of area affected)
Visuals of the damage
A floor plan that helps the homeowner and the adjuster understand the severity of the loss
Recommended measures for returning the property to pre-event working order
Scope-of-work estimate specifying disaster restoration services and equipment to be used
Receipts for any job-related purchases of materials and supplies
Deposits and other payments
Weather delays or other issues your crew encountered
Water-extraction/drying equipment and monitoring
Cleaning equipment, supplies and methods
Disaster restoration equipment, tools and methods used throughout the project
Adherence to your company’s standards and best practices (because proof of conformity demonstrates professionalism and thoroughness)
Detailed progress notes and visuals (field reports)
Final walk-through and reevaluation
Proof of project completion
TIP:Consider including this list (or a modified version of it) in your SOP manual.
Reasons to Capture a Lot of Pictures
You may end up taking hundreds of pictures when recording natural-disaster damage at a customer’s home. And that’s okay. Here’s why:
Photo Documentation Is Necessary for Claim Review and Settlement. Visual evidence is the cornerstone of insurance claim approval. Adjusters expect it and depend on it. The same goes for FEMA; if the homeowner applies for FEMA assistance, photo evidence is required.
Photo Documentation Plays a Critical Role in Getting a Homeowner’s Approval. It clarifies and supplements written information, so the homeowner can understand and agree to all work that needs to be done.
Photo Documentation Is a Good Risk-Management Practice That Helps Protect Your Business. If a homeowner raises questions or concerns after work is completed, you can use visuals to repaint the picture of the initial damage and to prove you met your contractual obligations.
TIP: Store your pictures in a hard-drive folder with the job name or number, and use a systematic approach to organize all of the visuals (perhaps with a subfolder dedicated to each room).
How Long to Keep Documents
Check with your state regarding the required timeframe to keep all legal records.
TIP: Invest in a reliable backup storage system for your documentation – i.e., an extra hard drive or server or cloud storage account.
Conclusion
Whenever your company responds to a residential crisis involving natural disaster damages, remember this: proper documentation is a key process for operational success. Do it well, and the final outcome is more likely to be good for your business… and good for your customer.
Discover how magicplan can help you with documenting natural disasters faster and quicker by using our new photo report feature
Or read how our customers Discreet Restoration and Crown Restoration save significant time with magicplan.
