Recent Building Services Posts

Is It Time to Consider Construction?

6/30/2021 (Permalink)

As we reach the midpoint of 2021, it's shaping up to be another good year for SERVPRO. Original author John Hodsdon, discussed how it really looks good for our Construction service line in the following blog: 

"We now have more than 400 owners offering construction services at some level, with revenues ranging from a few hundred thousand to tens of millions of dollars. If the first quarter is any indication of how the rest of the year will go, we have a very good chance of doing a billion dollars or more in combined residential and commercial construction." 

"And still, this is only the beginning. We have yet to see the full impact of the State Farm construction program and the many other National Account programs that are in the wings." 

"If you have not yet started a Construction Division, it might be a good time to consider it." 

"Just to be clear, we are not advocating that you just jump right in. This needs to be a studied decision on your part. A little preparation and planning can go a long way to make your transition into construction a more rewarding experiencethis is where the Construction Service Team comes into play. As the saying goes, we are 'here to help.'"

"If you want to know if you're ready for construction or what kind of steps you can take to prepare for construction, just give us a call. We've spent a good bit of time these last couple of years putting together training resources to support those of you who have or plan to enter the construction arena. "

"We have an updated Stages of Development Model for Construction and a wide offering of training resources within the LMS. We also have a four-week training program that will introduce you to all the key elements you will need to start, manage, and grow your construction business."

"And if you need additional or more specialized help, we can provide consulting assistance or even help you connect with a construction mentor." 

"There are a lot of good reasons to offer construction services."

– "It is a way to generate more revenue out of your territory."

– "It is a way to protect yourself from full-service operators who are trying to get in on your mitigation business. And it may become a requirement to stay on many of the larger national account programs."

– "The best reason is that it will make you more moneyThat’s why we suggest a studied and deliberate approach as the best way to help ensure you build a profitable and sustainable construction division." 

"Take advantage of our free training and benefit from the experience of some of the best operators in the SERVPRO franchise community to do it the right way." 

Foundation Issues

12/18/2017 (Permalink)

Home- as they say, there’s no place like it. However, it is important to take care of your house and notice whenever there are issues that maybe detrimental to keeping up with it. Certain issues will cost you even more down the road if you chose to ignore the warning early signs. An example of this is foundation issues. Below are some of the key things to keep a lookout for.

  1. Cracked, crumbling or compromised foundations

When doing a routine inspection of your house watch for this things in a cracked foundation:

  • Hairline fractures or cracks (vertical, horizontal or zigzagging)
  • Sloping, sagging or buckling of foundation floors or walls
  • Ruptures or gaps
  • Crumbling or flaking (of the concrete)
  • Moisture (including pooling water, mold and stains)
  1. Water damage and soil shifting
  • Homeowners can check for potential signs of water damage by inspecting the soil around the property to see if it is either unnaturally wet or unusually dry
  • Homeowners can also check invisibleleaks by shutting off all water-based appliances, spigots and faucets, then noting the exact readout of the water meter. After waiting six to 12 hours, they should then check to see if the water meter has changed
  1. Sagging Floors and warped ceilings
  • With a level tool, you can verify whether the slope is consistent on each floor and ceiling. An easier solution is to use a tennis ball to see if minute gradients exist. When placed in random locations on every floor, the tennis ball should never move.
  1. Cracked, crumbling or buckling walls
  • Homeowners should routinely inspect all interior and exterior walls for cracks, fissures, warps and shifts, crumbling and decay — especially with cement or brick façades and water damage (moisture, mold and stains)
  1. Improperly Fitting Doors and Windows
  • All of the windows and doors throughout the home should fit snugly in place — neither too tight nor too loose.

Be on the lookout for any of these issues! If you notice something is wrong, SERVPRO® of Southwest Lubbock is ready to help.