Why Should You Hire a Licensed Contractor?

Being a licensed contractor in Florida is a privilege. Many do not understand the difference in being licensed and why some are not licensed. Obtaining and keeping your contracting license in Florida is expensive and there are requirements you must meet. An unlicensed company is taking the easy and unethical approach to assisting those in need. 

Licensed or Unlicensed – Is It a Big Deal?

When you are in need for repairs questions run through your head: What does it mean to be licensed? Why are some contractors licensed and some are not? Does it really matter? Being a licensed contractor means they have passed all required testing, met the minimum experience level of four years, passed a credit and background check, and they must carry insurance to cover liability and workers compensation.

Risks of Hiring an Unlicensed Contractor:

• No insurance – No liability: An unlicensed contractor typically is uninsured – you may end up being liable for personal or financial injuries to others. If they happen to damage your property, there is no insurance to cover that.
• Poor qualifications and poor quality work: Unlicensed contractors usually do not have the education or qualifications required of a licensee. Therefore, they usually do poor quality work and do not finish the project, leaving the homeowner to pick up the pieces.
• Possible criminal background: Unlicensed contractors also pose the threat for having a lengthy list of criminal history. This list may include violent crime, sexual offenses, substance abuse, fraud, and/or theft. Do you want someone like that working on your private property?
• Scam artists: Unlicensed contractors often disappear after taking your money. The department cannot discipline an unlicensed person or help you with any recovery of repairs or money lost. These con artists usually try to scam those in need or urgent repairs such as hurricane damage.
• Not covered under homeowner’s policy: Most homeowner policies require any repairs be done by a licensed individual.
• Limited resources for broken contracts: If you have a dispute with a licensed contractor, you have rights and are able to contact the department who will take disciplinary action. However, this action is not available if the contractor is not licensed.
• Noncompliance with building codes: Most projects require permits and inspections, unlicensed contractors usually ignore such things. If your project isn't permitted or doesn't comply with the building code you may have to remove or repair the work at your own expense and be subject to fines.

Before you agree to any repairs confirm the individual is licensed and has insurance. Below are helpful links for you to use:

Click here to verify a Pinellas County license
Click here to verify a State license

Why Hire a Licensed Contractor?

•  A licensed person has the required education, experience, insurance and qualifications to obtain a license.  They must pass a competency examination before practicing.
• Licensed individuals are screened for prior criminal history.
• The department can discipline and even revoke a license if the person does not live up to professional standards.  This is a not a total safeguard, but is a strong incentive for the licensee to do good work.
• You may be able to sue the licensee in civil court for problems related to the work done.

Why Should You Hire PRS?

Professional Restoration Services of Tampa Bay, Inc. holds 4 state licenses, multiple certifications and the experience to get the job done right. We strive for customer satisfaction and believe in ethical work. We are dedicated to people in need and we are available 24/7 365 days a year to assist you. We are certified to handle all stages of home restoration. Please take a look at our licenses and certifications below: 

Understanding Flood Insurance and Water Damage Coverage

Flood damage is expensive and poses health hazards. Homeowners insurance will not cover you for flood damage. From an insurance companies view flood and water damage are two different things.Your homeowners insurance will deny a water damage claim if the water made contact with the ground prior to entering your home. Knowing your rights and how to obtain flood coverage can avoid this situation.

Flood Damage Coverage and Water Damage Coverage – What’s the Difference?

If water damages your property it will either fall under flood damage or water damage. The question to ask yourself is: Did the water that damaged my home make contact with the ground before or after it entered my home?

Flood damage: Water that damages your home after it has already made contact with the ground.

Examples of flood damage sources:

• A river overflowing
• Flooded streets
• Mudslide    
• A sewer back up caused by a storm

Water damage: Water that damages your home prior to it making contact with the ground.

Examples of water damage sources:

• A broken water pipe spews water into your home
• Heavy rain causes your roof to leak
• Rain enters your home through a broken window caused by a storm

Rule of thumb: Flood Insurance and water damage coverage offered under your homeowners insurance policy does not mean you are duplicating coverage. Instead, they complement each other. Click here to learn how to sign up for flood insurance. 

Understanding Your Coverage and Exclusions

You purchase your homeowner’s insurance and then disaster strikes… do you know what you’re covered for and what damages will be excluded from coverage? Water damage coverage can get tricky. It would be an ideal world if we bought one coverage and it covered anything to do with water, however, life is not that simple. For instance, water that backs up through sewers or drains is not covered unless you buy sewer backup coverage separately. Damage from sewer backup would most likely be covered under your flood damage policy. Although, it will be denied if the sewer backup was not caused by a flood in the first place. Insurance companies can deny your water damage claim if you do not file in a timely manner. You must report a water loss within 14 days of the first drop to your insurance company or they could deny your claim. The 14 day rule can complicate a situation such as a water leak that you can’t visibly see.   Such situations can become highly frustrating and unpredictable for the insured.

Useful information about coverage and exclusions:

• Flood insurance will only apply if either the flood affects two acres of land or it affects two homes, one being yours.
• Your personal contents may not be covered under a standard flood or water damage policy – get the details!
• Know the specifics – if a hot water heater springs a leak, the damage should be covered under your homeowners insurance. However, if the hot water heater springs a leak as a direct result of a flood, that would only be covered if you have flood insurance.
• Mold may not be covered under your homeowner’s policy. Usually with water damage comes mold damage. Know if your policy excludes mold or not.

You can purchase the coverage for personal belongings but usually there is a limit to how much you can cover. Floods and leaky pipes bursting can damage and ruin valuable items. Keeping a list of your valuable items and their worth will make it easier when it comes time to recover money for your losses. Valuable items such as artwork, rare books, jewelry, etc. may fall under a different property coverage limit. There may be a maximum coverage of $2,500.00 for such valuables.

Restoring Your Home and Peace of Mind with PRS

While PRS cannot assist you with your homeowners insurance issues, we can restore your home to pre-loss condition as well provide content restoration services to repair irreplaceable items.  We are certified and licensed to assist you with a complete restoration of your home. We provide services such as: structural drying, mold assessing, mold remediation, complete restoration, and content restoration. We are available 24/7 365 days a year and ready to assist you with an emergency. We know how time sensitive water damage can be, the first 24-48 hours are the most crucial. If you face any water damage to your home we promise to find the source and restore the damages to pre-loss condition. 

Handling Lightning Damage

There are nearly 200,000 homeowners insurance claims filed each year due to lightning strikes. Contrary to popular belief, lightning can indeed strike the same place twice. The Empire State Building is struck by lightning about 100 times a year. You should always take a thunderstorm seriously and understand how dangerous and powerful lightning is.  According to NLSI statistics, 1 out of every 200 homes will be struck by lightning each year.

Tips and Facts about Lightning Safety:

• Lightning rods can protect a building from catching fire, not from electrical surges. Although, they are not 100 percent effective.
• Do not use the telephone, because electrical wires may be hit by lightning. Even using a cellular phone is hazardous because the metal parts can conduct lightning.
• The odds of becoming a lightning victim in the U.S. in any one year is 1 in 700,000. The odds of being struck in your lifetime is 1 in 3,000.Lightning not only occurs during thunderstorms, but it may also take place during volcanic eruptions, forest fires, hurricanes and nuclear explosions.
• Lightning starts about 4,400 house fires each year.
• A motor car with a metal top can offer you some protection—but keep your hands from the metal sides.
• Victims of lightning do not retain the charge and are not "electrified." It is safe to help them.
• Stay away from windows and doors, and stay off porches.
• Do not lie on concrete floors and do not lean against concrete walls.

What Do You Do If Your Home Is Struck By Lightning?

A bolt of lightning can reach temperatures up to 50,000 degrees, which is five times hotter than the surface of the sun. Do not take a shower, stay off your landline phone, avoid contact with electrical equipment and cords… you probably have heard these standard precautions to take during a lightning storm over and over again. But the fact is that the leading cause of indoor lightning injuries is phone use. Lightning can travel long distances in both phone and electrical wires, particularly in rural areas. Taking precautions can absolutely reduce your chance for injury.

Lightning can enter your home in three main ways: (1) a direct strike, (2) through wires or pipes that extend outside the structure, and (3) the ground. Once the lightning has entered your home it can travel through the electrical, phone, plumbing, and radio or television reception systems.  Lightning can ruin your electrical system in your home and it can also cause a fire. The fire could very well start within the walls so you may not notice it until it’s too late. You should call 911 immediately after your home is struck by lightning. The fire department handles all lightning calls and they are equipped with thermal imaging cameras to locate a possible fire burning in your home. They also will be able to survey the damages and let you and your family know when it is deemed safe to enter again.

Handling the Aftermath of a Lightning Strike

After you have gotten everyone out safely and the fire department has assessed your home you may be left with damages. A standard home owner’s insurance policy should cover damages caused by lightning, including fires and fried electronics. Below are some tips you can use that will help get your home back in order:

• Keep detailed records of all big-ticket purchases such as TVs, laptops and other expensive electronics. The insurance company will want to see proof of ownership.
• Report a lightning strike to your agent as soon as possible.
• Keep accurate records of how much you spend repairing or replacing items.
• Review your policy for specific coverage information.
• Check with your claim representative before you discard any items you plan to claim as damaged.

Lightning’s destruction can be random. In some instances your computer could be fried yet your T.V. still works. You should check all electrical equipment that was plugged in during the time when the lightning struck to inspect for damage. It could take weeks before you are able to discover all of the damages the lightning caused to your home. In the event that your home catches fire from the extreme heat produced from lightning, you will need to hire a professional to restore your home back to its original state. PRS is available 24/7 to assist with any disaster you may face. We are fully equipped to handle all fire and smoke damage. After you have assessed the damage and reported it to your insurance company, give us a call and let us handle the rest. 

Are You Prepared for a Hurricane?

Are You Prepared For Hurricane Season?

Having an emergency plan for hurricane season will make a hectic situation easier to deal with. As much work that is put into hurricane tracking, the projected landfall is still unpredictable. They can change their direction last minute and make a surprise turn for the worst. If you are not properly prepared for the storm chances are you will forget about valuable steps and items you may need in the event a catastrophic storm makes landfall in your area. Having yourself, your family and your pets prepared will avoid any delay in getting everyone to safety during dangerous weather. 

 What Should You Do To Prepare?

Whether you live alone, have a family or have pets you should be prepared. Having a checklist will insure you don’t forget vital items such as medications that could easily be overlooked in a hectic event. Some examples of hurricane supplies you should have on your checklist are:

• Water – at least 1 gallon daily for people and 1.75 liters for pets
• Food – at least enough for 5-7 days 
• Manual can opener
• Plastic-ware (cups, utensils, plates)
• First Aid Kit/Medicines/Prescriptions Drugs/Eye Glasses/Contacts
• Toiletries/Hygiene Items/Moisture Wipes
• Sunscreen and Lotion
• Water purification tablets
• Radio (battery operated and NOAA weather radio)
• Flashlights/batteries
• Cash (banks may be closed and ATMs may be down) 
• Keys (house, cars, boats, etc.)
• Ziplock bags (for food and items that must stay dry)
• Important documents (Insurance cards, Driver's License, SSC, etc.)
• Coolers and ice 

If you have pets:

• Food, Water, Leash and Collar (ID Tags), Medications, current photographs, any favorite toys or blankets to help with anxiety. 

In the event that you are forced to evacuate your home you should take steps to help prevent possible damages from happening. Before you leave your home for a safe zone take the following precautions:

• Cover all windows with plywood that are cut to fit the window – tape does not prevent your windows from breaking.
• Pick up any lose debris in your yard – furniture, branches, anything loose that could become a missile to your home. 
• Secure boats, trailers, campers and RVS in the safest place you can find. Do your best to secure them in the hopes that they will  not be damaged by the approaching storm. 
• Move all items that can be damaged from water to higher areas and away from windows in your home. 
• Huge items need to be secured in big storms. Strong winds can pick up vehicles and throw them. Do your best to secure any large items you have outdoors. 
• Bring in all plants, decorative items, grills, etc. into a closed area.
• Close and fasten all gates and doors. 

Picking Up the Pieces after the Storm

Some people may be stuck having to clean up after a storm has passed. Hurricanes can make areas look completely unrecognizable. If you happen to be one of the unfortunate people to suffer from the wrath of a storm hopefully your home is restorable. The first step you should take is surveying the damage to your home. Take pictures, document your losses, and be aware of possible dangers such as broken glass and leaking gas. Time is precious during this time, contact your insurance company as soon as possible. This is where understanding your homeowner’s insurance policy is important. Please see the previous post about water damage below to understand the difference in water and flood damage coverage.

After you have contacted your insurance company the next step is to contact a restoration professional in your area. This is a time sensitive step as well because the sooner repairs are underway the less damage your property will suffer from. Hiring a certified restoration professional is extremely important. Being certified is expensive and is a privilege. Many companies out there will offer a great price but chances are they are not certified. If you are a Florida resident you can go to https://www.myfloridalicense.com/wl11.asp to verify a State license. Protect yourself and always do research before you agree to have a company begin repairs. 

Restoring Your Home after a Hurricane by PRS 

Hiring a company that can offer immediate response is critical. Professional Restoration Services of Tampa Bay, Inc. is here to aid those in need during a disaster. We offer emergency services 24 hours a day 365 days a year to both residential and commercial losses. PRS handles all hurricane damages; water damage, flood damage, fire damage, wind damage, and mold. We are a certified and reputable company that understands the importance of an immediate response to your loss.

Water Damage and Mold Remediation

Water is essential in our everyday lives, however, it also can be destructive. Water can cause costly repairs for any property owner and can diminish the value of your property. Water damage can originate from a number of sources such as bad weather to a broken pipe. If your property experiences any kind of water damage it is always safe to contact a certified professional water damage restoration specialist. It is also wise to always do your research to make sure the restoration specialist your contacting is actually certified and is able to tackle all of your needs.

Helpful Tips about Water Damage

Water damage is both dangerous and expensive. Water damage can lead to mold and mildew growth. Mold can be undetected at first and can begin to grow as early as 48 hours if water is not removed properly. Below is a list of helpful tips about water damage:

• Prompt action is vital if unwanted water floods your home.  It will only take minutes for water damage to begin and losses to incur. Contacting a certified water damage restoration specialist would be ideal in this situation.
• You should always carefully examine your homeowner’s insurance policy to insure that you are covered for flood damage and get the specifics on what they do and do not cover. Please note: Most homeowner’s insurance policies DO NOT cover flood damage.
• Water damage coverage and flood damage coverage are two different things.

1. Water Damage: Understanding what types of water damage are covered by your homeowners insurance and how to file a claim are essential when calling Florida your home. Water damage is considered to occur when water damages your home before the water comes in contact with the ground
2. Flood Damage: Generally, damage caused by water that has been on the ground at some point before damaging your home is considered to be flood damage.

• It is important to note that flood insurance and homeowners insurance do not duplicate coverage for water damage. Instead, they complement each other.
• Should you have any questions contact an attorney or if your claim is being denied
• Contacting your insurance agent to file a claim, separating damaged property from undamaged property and documenting evidence of the water damage are vital steps to take.

Restoration Services

Hiring a certified restoration specialist that specializes in water damage restoration and mold remediation can save you from health issues and more stress down the road. Attempting to repair a home by yourself that has water damage can result in injury and costly mistakes. Do your homework before hiring anyone to look at your home. The first 24-48 hours are the most crucial in mitigating property losses. Your home needs to be dried properly in an urgent matter to prevent secondary damages from occurring. When water damage or flooding occurs water can be trapped in hard to reach areas of your home. Hiring a restoration specialist that is equipped with proper equipment is essential in assuring that your structure is dried properly.

What is Water Damage Restoration and Mold Remediation?

Both water damage restoration and mold remediation are important processes when it comes to your home and experiencing any kind of unwanted water. Water damage restoration is the process of restoring a property back to pre-loss condition after sustaining any level of water damage. Water damage restoration is needed from a small leak to a flooded road rushing into your home. When your property experiences any kind of water damage mold usually follows right behind the water. Even when you think you have cleaned up all visible water and everything is dry there may still be water invisible to the human eye that leaked into a crack.

Mold growth is a result to an over exposure to moisture. Given the right conditions mold will grow and will grow quickly. Hiring a certified restoration professional that is licensed to assess mold is not only smart for the value of your home but most importantly your health. Once mold is assessed the process of remediation needs to take place. Mold Remediation is the process of solving the source and removing the mold. Again, it is just as important to insure that you are hiring a licensed mold remediation professional as it is for water damage restoration.  Proper equipment and knowledge is key when it comes to treating and removing mold from your home.

Water Damage Restoration and Mold Remediation by PRS

When in or near the Tampa Bay area, you can always trust PRS to provide quick response and efficient handling of all of your water damage needs. Professional Restoration Services of Tampa Bay, Inc.  is duly licensed by the government to perform such activities. We are licensed in Mold Remediation #MRSR102 and Mold Assessor #MRSR236. Mold Remediation license is a privilege given to PRS because of the system and technology they are able to provide.  We are also equipped with the latest technology in thermal imaging. We have the capacity of identifying water sources and areas of trapped moisture that are not visible to the human eye. If a home has water damage a combination of structural drying and thermal imaging is the most efficient way to treat the damage. We are fully equipped to provide both of those services.

We are available 24/7 to assist you when disaster strikes. PRS can automatically bill your insurance company or we do accept a credit card if the loss isn’t covered by insurance. The faster we mitigate and dry your property, the faster things go back to normal. 

Storm Damage

Storms usually lead to negative impacts to our everyday lives and property.  If you are a resident of the Tampa Bay area chances are you’re familiar with the damages and costs that come with a severe storm hitting our area. Heavy rain, high winds, hail and lightning can potentially cause storm damage to your home.  While these are not events we can prevent there are ways to build your life back together when disaster hits.

Storm Damage to Property

Fallen trees, loss of power, and flooding is not an unusual inconvenience for those of us living in the Tampa Bay area. The first priority is always our safety and preparing a disaster plan can prevent extra chaos added to the already hectic situation. It is vital to prepare a checklist of steps to take in the event that your property suffers from storm damage. The first step you should take after the storm has passed is to photograph and document all damages. This is a vital step to take before any storm damage repairs begin.  It is always a good idea to take numerous pictures from different angles to insure the pictures correctly portray the extent of the storm damage.  You should always secure all damages to prevent from any further harm. Covering damages such as broken windows, fallen roofs and walls with a tarpaulin and/or plastic sheeting will prevent additional costs.

Insurance Coverage

It is imperative that you file a claim with your insurance as soon as possible. Having the pictures you took of your storm damage printed or transferred to a computer will be important when you have to provide them to the claims adjuster.  After the insurance claim is filed you should begin obtaining quotes from restoration and repair companies and forward that information to your adjuster. If some of your property such as televisions, computers, and other items are a total loss you may find yourself paying out of pocket to replace these valuables. You should always send duplicates of the receipts for purchases made to your adjuster for reimbursement.  

Health Issues

Our health may be in the back of our minds after disaster strikes but it is important to be aware of the health hazards that come along with storm damage. Many people would think to begin disinfecting their belongings after a flood, however, should you mix two different cleaning agents together this can potentially create hazardous fumes. For example; if you are under a boil alert and you had to disinfect your tap water with bleach for cleaning you should take extreme caution if you were to dilute any other cleaning agents with the bleach water.

Water damage from flooding can create many health hazards if it is not handled properly. It is imperative that areas that are damaged from the storm are cleaned, disinfected and completely dried out. Areas from the basement to the air ducts can grow mold and it is always wise to hire a professional to insure all areas are treated and mold free.

Storm Damage Restoration in Tampa Bay

You should always wait for the storm to completely pass before any restoring takes place. Storms can cause a long list of damages to your home. The damages can be caused from flooding, high winds, severe lightning, and/or hail. If at all possible, restoration should begin immediately. Should the repairs and recovery to your home get delayed you are at risk for more damage as well as mold growth. There are a lot of restoration services available in Tampa Bay. Before you call for assistance you should always fully examine your home to insure the restoration company can handle all of the damages. You should check your roofing, drainage, water supply, electric connections, etc.

Storm Damage Restoration Services Provided by PRS

Professional Restoration Services of Tampa Bay, Inc. is here to aid and help residents cope with a life altering disaster such as storm damage. PRS is available for services 24 hours a day 365 days a year. Storms sometimes happen suddenly and without a lot of warning. PRS is here to provide fast and accurate service to those in need. We know that storm damage to your home needs to be assessed and repaired in an urgent manner and that’s why we provide a fast response to your home the moment you place a call with us.