Issue link: https://hi.iaq.net/i/640167
A Restoration Contractor's Perspective on the Contractor-Consultant Relationship IAQA 18th Annual Meeting & Indoor Environment and Energy Expo (IE3) The views and opinions herein are those of the volunteer authors and may not reflect the views and opinions of IAQA. The information is offered in good faith and believed to be reliable but it is provided without warranty, expressed or implied, as to the merchantability, fitness for a particular purpose or any other matter. contractor to support their respective position. The contractor may be caught in the middle needing to satisfy both customers. Consultants The contractor recommends hiring a consultant for the purpose of developing a protocol and providing clearance services when the agreed SOW includes clean-up/remediation of sewage, mold, bodily fluids, and other hazardous materials. The contractor further recommends that either the client or the adjuster contract with the consultant so as to avoid conflict of interest concerns. If the client signs the consultant's contract, the adjuster should 'approve' of the services and pricing of the consultant. Unsuspecting consultants can be drawn into the fray that may exist. Potential conflict can be avoided and the remediation component of the project can be set up for success by the contractor and the consultant forging a strong partnership wherein the consultant is mindful of the following factors. Defer to the contractor as spokesperson for the clean-up/remediationteam. Agree on pricing upfront and utilize a change order process for additional charges. Work expediently. The insurance carrier incurs other claims costs the longer the repair process takes to complete. Accept input from contractor on protocol and clearance criteria before submitting to adjuster and client. Assure that protocol is limited to damage contained in approved SOW. Provide specific directions in protocol. Provide reasonable and attainable clearance criteria. Develop joint plan with contractor to isolate and exclude building damage not in approved SOW. Consultants identifying building problems unrelated to the insurance repair SOW should privately confer with the contractor as to the best time to broach the subject with the client. Potential additional work should be regarded as a separate and distinct business opportunity and, if sold, should be contracted independently of the insurance repair contract. The contractor should support consultant interest in exploring any additional work opportunity. Summary Insurance repair is the core business of property restoration contractors. Consultants should follow the lead of the contractor and adapt their services to fit the insurance repair arena. Critical success criteria include effective contractor-consultant partnering and understanding requirements on projects reimbursed by insurance. Clients and adjusters are equally valued customers whose needs must be satisfied. Clients, adjusters, and contractors each have specific roles in the restoration process.