Business and Commercial Property Owners Should Consider

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Press Release Source: LVI Services Inc.

http://biz./prnews/050608/clw025.html?.v=14

LVI Services, National Environmental Restoration Firm, Says Florida

Business and Commercial Property Owners Should Consider

Pre-Negotiating for Emergency Response

Wednesday June 8, 9:24 am ET

Company suggests " pre-event contracts " to address insurance,

pricing,

labor and response issues for any hurricane recovery

TAMPA, Fla., June 8 /PRNewswire/ -- LVI Services, one of the

nation's

largest environmental services and restoration firms with 25 offices

across

the country including two in Florida, recommends that business and

commercial property owners establish a relationship with a disaster

response provider long before a disaster or emergency occurs.

Negotiating a " pre-event contract " gives both the contractor and

property

owner time to address issues such as insurance, pricing, labor,

response

and equipment rates before the services are actually needed. Based

on

LVI's experience with hurricane recovery in Florida last year and

other

emergency response situations, a pre-event contract enables the

parties to

become familiar with each other, and establishes important base

lines and

ground rules -- giving property owners peace of mind even if a

disaster or

emergency unfolds.

" Long before there is any forecast of a hurricane or other disaster

strikes,

property owners should identify a cleanup restoration provider in

which

they have professional confidence, " said Jeff Haas, president of LVI

Environmental Services Inc. Florida Operations, which has offices in

Tampa and Fort Lauderdale, and a satellite location in ville.

" Ironing out rates and labor and insurance issues is something that

can be

done ahead of time. Then, when something does happen, an agreement

is

in place that everyone is happy with. In Florida last year,

contractors and

property owners who developed pre-event contracts before a hurricane

hit

had significant advantages over everyone else who was scrambling

amid

the confusion. "

LVI offers its customers a First Alert Contract, which is a no-cost,

no-

risk agreement that ensures rapid response in times of unscheduled

need,

such as natural disasters and fires. Customers pre-negotiate rates

for labor

and materials, and can activate the contract after a disaster

strikes, allowing

cleanup and recovery to begin immediately. The pre-event contract

enables

LVI and its customers to work together sooner and smarter than other

entities that may be searching for, and negotiating with, each other

after a

disaster.

" We have found that customers, particularly those who have been

through

a disaster situation, want to be assured that they are only one

phone call

away from getting the help they need, " said Haas. " With a First

Alert

Contract in place, we can work with them quickly to assess the

situation,

implement a game plan and spring into action. Customers know they

have

an emergency response provider that can be reached 24/7 and will

give

them priority response. "

As demonstrated in Florida last year, emergency response and

disaster

restoration providers have expertise in prioritizing activities

after a

hurricane strikes, which can be vital in minimizing water damage and

problems resulting from mold growth. Mold should be an immediate

consideration because it can develop in as little as 48 to 72 hours.

Haas also offers the following tips on how to select a

contractor:

- Examine a firm's proof of insurance and be sure to inquire

about its

work practices, scheduling, equipment, and worker training and

certification.

- Evaluate a firm's knowledge and expertise in disaster

restoration,

drying and mold remediation. Ask for and call references.

- Look to various groups for advice, including Better Business

Bureau,

industry associations and local government agencies.

- Do some independent research through the Internet to learn

what

others

are saying about industry trends and contractors.

Public- and private-sector organizations that need help with large-

scale

cleanup and recovery from emergencies or disasters, or for more

information about the First Alert Contract, can call LVI's 24-hour

response

line at 1-800-283-2933.

About LVI Services

LVI Services Inc. is the United States' leading provider of a wide

array of

integrated facility services, including environmental remediation,

demolition

and related services for commercial, industrial, multi-family

residential and

governmental facilities. LVI focuses on projects involving asbestos,

lead

paint, mold, infection control, hazardous materials, fire and water

restoration, and demolition. Founded in 1986, LVI has more than 25

offices across the United States, is licensed in every state, and is

experienced in responding to natural and manmade disasters around

the

world. The company's annual revenues exceed $260 million. For more

information, visit http://www.lviservices.com.

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Source: LVI Services Inc.