We are all at the mercy of the elements. Our businesses can easily be disrupted and our commercial properties damaged by water damage, floods, fire, smoke, mold, wind, and other disasters and forces. It is prudent to be proactive and to create a Commercial Emergency Restoration Plan that facilitates the speedy return of your business operations. Selecting a reputable and professional commercial property restoration specialist is essential to this plan.
 
What is a Commercial Emergency Restoration Management Plan?
A Commercial Emergency Restoration Management Plan (CERM) contains all the important information and instruction required for executing repairs and cleaning to speed up the commercial property restoration process and get operations moving again. This plan is also an agreement with a professional restoration company for them to take action on the plan.
There are many decisions to be made after damage has occurred at a place of business. Often the decision makers cannot be reached and things have to happen quickly. A predefined plan in situations as such becomes a useful schedule that speeds up the process and enables quick action.
A CERM plan has many benefits as it simplifies and hastens the restoration process by:
·       Ensuring a priority response from your contracted commercial restoration company
·       Reducing costs through quick response time and prior planning
·       Reducing downtime of your operations
·       Including the cleaning and restoration of important documents and property
·       Reducing stress associated with decisions as these have been made already
·       Providing a comprehensive and fully-equipped restoration services on stand-by 24/7
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Every minute your business is closed is a loss of income and additional cost to the business. The longer equipment, buildings and property is left unattended and exposed to, for example, water or mud, the worse the damage will be. The goal is to get the areas cleaned and restored so business operations can commence. The purpose of the commercial emergency restoration management plan is to reduce the period the business is not operational to the absolute minimum and get the wheels turning again.
 
Types of Commercial Emergencies To Include In Your Plan
Water – Storms, floods, a weakened roof, HVAC equipment leaks, frozen or burst pipes, and sewage system blocks can all result in severe water damage to your property. These will require professional restoration services.
Fire – Smoke, water, and structural damage are all common after a fire. A proper CERM will guide your recovery process and decisions.
Content Loss – It is important to include the for cleaning and restoring of the contents of your businesses your CERM. Most disasters have the potential to damage important workplace documents, equipment, furniture and other valuables.
Storm or Other Disaster – Areas such as Chicago face many kinds of severe weather from storms, wind to extreme cold and you need to prepare for them all in your CERM.
Business Interruption – There are many reasons that could force you to temporarily close your business or relocate it. It could be an accident that causes machinery failure, or new legislation or local authority requirements. It could even be unexpected additional expenses such as a drastic increase in electricity costs. Your CERM can contain valuable information about actions in these events with back-up and recovery plans. It is always wise to protect yourself with insurance so you can lodge business interruption claims to claim back some of your losses.
 
What does the Commercial Emergency Restoration Management Process Look Like?
Insurance – The first thing to do after a disaster or event is to contact your insurance company. Each company has their own requirements but most insurers require from you to thoroughly document the damage and to keep a detailed record and proof of all expenses incurred during repairs. A professional CERM company should help you assess the damage and record the findings for you.
Cost – It is almost impossible to predict the cost of a future restoration process as the nature of the damage and severity of the disaster will determine the restoration required and the variables are endless. You can have a holistic view of the different restoration processes and what each step generally involves and costs as a general guideline and for understanding.
Contents – The restorations of the business, the furniture, equipment, inventory, records, etc. can minimize your losses as it would often be cheaper than replacing even those that can be replaced.
Reconstruction – The CERM needs to contain information collected about your property to enable any required reconstruction in a timely, affordable fashion. Having a CERM expert ready to assist you in the reconstruction is essential to save you time and money.
 
Looking at the whole emergency restoration management process it looks like a lot and can seem daunting. It is recommended to break the process into a few key steps to enable better organizing and information gathering. Having an experienced commercial restoration company at your side can make everything a lot easier.
When disaster strikes there are often many people in need of restoration services and it becomes difficult to book any services in the near future. One of the major benefits of a CERM plan registered beforehand with a trusted commercial restoration company is that you have already contracted their expertise and equipment to back you up first when you require them. You do not have to find the separate contractors with the right equipment to aid you nor attempt the work yourself. Restoration is best left to the professionals.

Let companies like McKinley Restoration Co. assist you with a CERM to work through the planning and recovery phases of getting your business up and running again.