How to Move Forward After Your Millbrook Business Is Impacted by a Natural Disaster

2/19/2021 (Permalink)

SERVPRO of NW & SW Dutchess knows the commercial restoration process inside and out. Here are some of our best tips in choosing the right restoration

If you had to ask most people what the biggest lesson they learned from the COVID-19 pandemic was, they’d like to say it’s that it’s not possible to be prepared for how quickly things can change.

Business owners, especially, understand this point. Over the past year, they’ve changed how they deliver services, meet customers and promote their business. Though pandemics aren’t usually part of a business owner’s disaster plans, most business owners have plans to deal with more commonplace natural disasters, like fires, floods and severe storms.

But our time working with other business owners has taught us that having a plan in place and following that plan after a disaster isn’t always the same thing. It can be difficult to focus and move forward after your business is damaged.

We know that businesses can succeed even after a disaster, so our team has pulled together some of the best advice we can give business owners facing a restoration scenario.

Preparing to Open Your Business Again

You can reopen your business quickly and efficiently after a disaster. Here’s how we recommend that you do it:

Implement your disaster plan. It’s good to take another look at your disaster plan after your business is impacted by a fire or a flood. For some businesses, that may include moving to a backup location.

Be there for your employees, too. Look for ways you can share resources that are available with your employees. The Small Business Administration (SBA) is a great place to start.

Partner with your insurance company. Be sure to take photographs of the damage and take inventory of everything that was damaged. If your insurer asks for documents, provide them as quickly as you can. You’ll want to work to keep this process running smoothly.

Stay in touch with members of your community. Reach out to your suppliers, your employees, your customers and your community regularly so that they know where you are in the restoration process or if they can find you at a new, temporary location. Social media or an email list can help you through this process.

Work with the right partners. Choose competent professionals to work on your restoration process and repair any of the damage. It will make opening up again easier.

If a fire, flood or any other cause damages your business, you can always count on us for restoration assistance. We have crews who are available ²⁴⁄₇ in the event of an emergency. Contact us at any time to learn more about our restoration services and how we can help you.