Mitigation Can Help

Learning to put your trust in competent mitigation services.

By TYLER JONES, Jenkins Restorations - Houston

What is mitigation? I’ve asked this question of several people, and I always get a different response. Answers range from “it’s used whenever flood, blood or fire has occurred on a property” or “it’s only needed when the “M” word has happened.” And yes, while those answers are great examples of when mitigation is needed, there are many other facets to mitigation and preventative maintenance that these services offer.

Mitigation is a term that puts a bad taste in people’s mouths. This industry hasn’t given the impression that it can be a high integrity, high character service that leads to protecting and giving piece of mind to the asset. Chaos can erupt when CAT storms blow through, or when everyday problems occur. Hopefully, this is the start to changing people’s perspective on mitigation – adding value to something that can save you money, be a preventative habit and lead to a higher retention rate.

For example, when you do have a water leak, big or small, it is always in the best interest of the owner or property manager to have it mitigated. There are tools that are used to detect moisture in a particular room, and without seeing or understanding where the water has traveled, it is impossible to guarantee it is safe to enter or even promise it won’t return. The best part about getting these assessments is that most companies give them for free, just to help provide clarity of how much damage has occurred and present a solution to help fix the problem.

Another example is when you have buildings built prior to 1978, which carry asbestos, mold or lead in the paint that can be toxic. Without the proper safety equipment, it can be extremely harmful to the person performing the work, and it can even get in the air duct system and travel to different areas that could cause further damage.

Once that happens, the word cheap, or the phrase “cutting corners,” isn’t an option because the consequences of these services being performed should already be understood. So, how is it that the expectation is “it should be fixed” or “we are in the business of saving money” when nothing was done to meet those specific expectations? For example, you wouldn’t get heart surgery from someone who isn’t a doctor, or your teeth worked on by someone other than a dentist. When anything happens that involves water, fire, smoke or outdated materials that carry toxic chemicals, it needs to be handled by a professional who has gone through training and has the certifications to perform the work. Restoration and mitigation can save you money and protect your asset. Contrary to popular belief, there are companies that have the customers best interest in mind and don’t have the desire to destroy as much as possible so they can bill for it later. Remember the longer something isn’t mitigated correctly, and isn’t professionally done the first time, the more expensive it becomes.

I hear people all the time saying that “insurance companies are cheap” or “they are always looking to get out of approving claims.” I don’t think those statements are entirely true. In fact, if the insurance company knows a reputable business is involved then they are more inclined to approve the claim, and even provide the coverage that is needed to bring everything back to pre-loss condition. Most people’s understanding of how to prevent further damage is a backwards way of thinking, but the insurance companies know that if a mitigation company can get there in an hour or less, it will save them money in the end.

When a water leak happens and a customer files a claim, the insurance carrier will dispatch a mitigation team immediately, asking them to begin mitigating as quick as possible. They understand that the sooner a mitigation team can be on scene, assess the damage, provide live pictures and feedback, the better. It will greatly cut costs and save money on the rebuild that could potentially take place. Not only does it save you money, but once you cut the small areas in a ceiling, remove carpet pads, baseboards and just install equipment because the mitigation team got there so quickly, no demo is needed. Now that the water no longer can soak up in the porous material creating more damage, it’s contained and less expensive to repair.

This is why insurance companies work this way. While it may give the impression that they are after the cheapest work, or denying the claim, they are really preventing further damage, reducing costs and giving the claim a better chance at approval. Mitigation always gives you the best chance for approval and gives you the best chance to save you money if done correctly. This is why it is so important to find companies that have high integrity and high character. They are out there and are here to help make your lives easier.

So, back to my original question, what is mitigation? There is only one definition of mitigation that I believe encompasses the importance and significance of the service. That definition is “the action of reducing the severity, seriousness or painfulness of something.”

Tyler Jones is the business development manager for Jenkins RestorationsHouston, bringing education and restoration services to the industry that people can trust and hopefully change the status quo. Restoration can be done with integrity and character that promotes excellent service and provides peace of mind through any situation big or small. Jenkins mission: “restoring property and lives with a servant’s heart.” Their vision: “to be the restoration firm of choice in existing and future markets while upholding Biblical values.” Their core values: “Can-do Attitude, Excellent Execution, Do the Right Thing, Actions of a Servant, and Responsible Stewardship.”