What is a Master Service Agreement (MSA)?

10/11/2023 (Permalink)

A Master Service Agreement (MSA) stands as a crucial contract binding two parties and outlining their relationship's terms and conditions. In the realm of facility vendors, an MSA typically covers a wide array of services like cleaning, maintenance, and repairs.

But let's get down to it – why should you even bother with an MSA? Well, around here, it's all about efficiency. Having just one contract in place means no more dealing with each vendor separately. That's a win-win that saves you both time and money.

Plus, it's all about communication and teamwork. An MSA spells out who's doing what, so there's no room for misunderstandings and delays. In this neck of the woods, we appreciate clear-cut agreements.

And then there's the protection an MSA provides. Your MSA usually includes provisions for stuff like insurance, liability, and resolving disputes. It's peace of mind, plain and simple.

Now, let's talk SERVPRO Team Nichols. We're a local standout near Chicago, and we're the ones you want for your MSA needs. Here's what we bring to the table:

1. **Local Expertise**: We're your neighbors, serving the Chicagoland area. We know the local scene and the unique needs of our community.

2. **Comprehensive Services**: Our team is well-versed in a variety of services that can be covered by an MSA, including water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, mold remediation, biohazard cleanup, storm damage restoration, and construction and remodeling. We're your one-stop shop for all things restoration.

3. **Round-the-Clock Service**: Emergencies don't wait for convenient hours. We're available 24/7 to tackle any disaster head-on.

4. **Customer-Centric Approach**: Your satisfaction is our top priority. We work closely with you to understand your specific needs and tailor a plan to meet them. Plus, we keep you in the loop throughout the restoration process.

So, if you're in the Chicagoland area and need a trusted partner for your MSA, SERVPRO Team Nichols is the way to go. We've got the local knowledge, expertise, and commitment to make sure you're taken care of.

To dive deeper into our MSA offerings or get your questions answered, just give us a call. We're here to help, 24/7/365.

Why Set Up an ERP? (Part 1 of 2)

8/30/2022 (Permalink)

How quickly your company can get back to business after a tornado, fire, or flood often depends on the emergency planning done today. The regular occurrence of natural disasters demonstrates the importance of being prepared for any emergency. While each situation is unique, your organization can be better prepared if you plan carefully, put emergency procedures in place, and practice for all kinds of emergencies.

The following are basic measures business owners and managers can take to begin preparing. A commitment to begin planning today will help support your employees, customers, the community, local economy, and even the country. It also protects your business investment and gives your company a better chance for survival.

Develop a Business Continuity Plan

Your organization's risk needs will vary depending on the specific industry, size, scope, and location. Begin by reviewing your business process flow chart, if one exists, to identify operations critical to survival and recovery. Carefully assess your internal and external functions to determine which staff, materials, procedures, and equipment are absolutely necessary to keep the business operating. You should also establish procedures for succession of management.

Review Insurance Coverage

Inadequate insurance coverage can lead to major financial loss if your business is damaged, destroyed, or simply interrupted for a period of time. Insurance policies vary; check with your agent or provider about things such as physical losses, flood coverage, and business interruption. Understand what your policy does and does not cover.

Why Set Up an ERP? (Part 2 of 2)

8/30/2022 (Permalink)

Prepare Your Emergency Plan

Your employees and co-workers are your businesses' most valuable asset. Communication is central before, during, and after a disaster. Include emergency information in newsletters, on your company intranet, in periodic employee e-mails and/or other communication tools.

Practice the Emergency Plan

Some disasters will require employees to leave the workplace quickly. The ability to evacuate workers, consumers, and visitors effectively can save lives. If your business operates out of more than one location, establish evacuation procedures for each individual building. If your company is in a high-rise building, an industrial park, or even a strip mall, it is important to coordinate and practice with other tenants or businesses to avoid confusion and potential gridlock.

Secure Your Facility and Equipment

Install fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and detectors in appropriate places. Secure all entry and exit points and plan for mail safety. Plan what you will do if your building, plant, or store is not usable. Secure valuable equipment.

Improve Cyber Security

Protecting your data and information systems may require specialized expertise, but even the smallest business can be better prepared. Use anti-virus software and keep it up-to-date. Don't open emails from unknown sources. Use hard-to-guess passwords. Protect your computer from intruders by using firewalls. Back up your computer data and download security protection updates known as patches regularly.

SERVPRO Professionals Are Available 24 hours a day, 365 days

4/27/2022 (Permalink)

Exposure to biological and chemical contaminants can pose serious health consequences for building occupants, employees, customers, and owners. A failure to properly handle and safely remove such hazards can contribute to unhealthy and even dangerous environments.

Here are some quick Do’s and Don’ts if you ever  encounter a situation where you might be exposed to a biohazard or trauma situation:

Do:

• Stay out of affected areas, you do not want to track any fluids by stepping in it.
• Call emergency service personnel if the situation is life-threatening.
• Treat all bodily fluids as if they are contaminated.

Don’t:

• Attempt to do any clean up yourself.
• Touch or handle items that might be contaminated with bodily fluids.

SERVPRO is trained to safely and effectively remove bio hazardous substances and prep

You Don't Want To Know What Maybe Lurking In Your Air Ducts/ HVAC Unit - Call SERVPRO

4/27/2022 (Permalink)

Your HVAC unit has to do with cooling and heating your home. Maintenance for your HVAC system is essential if you want your unit to run correctly for a substantial amount of time. Cleaning your HVAC system also entails duct maintenance as well.

Cleaning the ducts and vents means that they will be cleaning separate elements in the HVAC unit. It is important to clean multiple areas in the unit because it is unknown what lurks in your ducts. So, when turning on the air conditioning unit, those who have allergies may react from the dust, dander, or mold in the unit.

There are many advantages of cleaning your ducts/ HVAC unit. One benefit is having a more efficient system which will result in lower utility bills. Another benefit is having a healthier living environment. Keeping up with the system will also keep up the longevity of the unit, just like a “tune up” with a vehicle would improve its life span.

 If interested in the benefits of keeping up with your HVAC unit, contact your local franchise today!

Commercial Property Owners And Property Managers Can Rely SERVPRO

3/17/2022 (Permalink)

Commercial Property owners and Property Managers are entrusted with keeping their businesses operational. When Disaster Strikes, SERVPRO of Calumet City- Lansing is here to help make it “Like it never even happened.” We've assisted some of the Calumet City- Lansing Area's largest properties following disasters. Facilities Managers rely on us to be Ready for Whatever Happens.

General Adjusters and Consulting firms trust SERVPRO of Calumet City- Lansing with their must complex claims. Some of our specialties include

• Small Office Buildings
• Large Office/High-Rise Office Buildings
• Apartment Buildings
• Restaurants
• Hotel/Motels
• Small Retail Stores
• Large Retail/Big-Box Stores
• High-Rise Residential
• Manufacturing & Industrial
• Government/Military
• Universities
• Schools
• Restaurants
• Commercial Disaster Recovery Services 
• Commercial Reconstruction

We are available around the clock to get your business back up and running. Our expertise includes restoration services for fire and water damage, including electronics restoration and document drying. We are also your business’s best resource for mold remediation. Learn more about our commercial restoration services by calling SERVPRO of Calumet City/Lansing today at 708-627-0077.

Keep Your Business Safe From Fire With A Quick Checklist!

3/16/2022 (Permalink)

The fire services recommend this checklist to assist your small business in preventing damage that could be caused by fire:

• Avoid storing or stockpiling flammable materials such as packaging materials or waste where they could be accessed by the public, including areas immediately outside your business premises.
• Make sure all machinery is serviced as recommended by manufacturers and is kept clean. If possible, switch machinery off when the business is unattended.
• Secure all doors, windows or other access points when the business is unattended, and make sure your business has adequate lighting to deter trespassers.
• Ensure your business has an adequately serviced and functional fire alarm system that is suitable to your small business eg: Remote serviced alarm systems, sprinkler systems, thermal or smoke alarms etc.
• If your business stores dangerous goods, ensure their storage and use adheres to legislative requirements.
• Make sure your business has a written and practiced fire escape plan that includes full staff lists and designated meeting points.

SERVPRO Builds Ties Within The Local Community

3/3/2022 (Permalink)

Involvement by our SERVPRO at all levels in the community can not be understated. One of these levels is at the city and county economic level. Every town and city has a vested interest in trying to help their local business survive and thrive, providing much needed jobs to the members of their communities and also providing economic stimulus and tax revenue generation. 

These needs get interrupted when disaster strikes a business and it is vital to get their operations back up and running, as quickly as possible, "Like it never even happened." This is where the relationships you form with SERVPRO prior to the disaster striking are so important. Does your business already have a SERVPRO Representative (SMR) assigned to you? If not, complete a internet search for your local SERVPRO franchise and ask for one to be assigned to you. This SMR will go through the process of educating your business about all that they can do in advance of the coming disaster, to help you prepare so that when it happens, it is not as costly to you in downtime and lost production.       

There are many different ways to get involved with your community business members. Building relationships with our local businesses is key for when large events happen at this level, those leaders run in small circles and great relationships are needed here, so those business leaders can get their business's back up and running and restore their communities to like it was before the disaster.... "Like it never even happened."

Key Causes Of Commercial Water Damage

3/3/2022 (Permalink)

The undesired result can be from numerous factors. The damages can result from flooding, roof leaks, frozen pipes, ice dams, and sewage backups. Additionally, disasters like fires can require extinguishing work from the fire department, leaving large quantities of standing water behind. No matter the cause of water intrusion, the effect is often the same: actual damage to the structural integrity of your property coupled with the compromise of safety to employees, and clients.

Identifying The Source Of The Problem. To deal with water damage effectively, you have to identify the source of the problem and then eliminate it. It's also important to know that there will be different methodologies for water damage restoration depending on the source. Excess water flowing from a broken or frozen pipe or ice damming on the roof will be handled differently than issues which result from floodwater or a sewage backup.

Avoiding DIY Projects. Business proprietors are tempted to begin the cleanup process by themselves to quickly reopen the doors to commerce. If the normal business traffic patterns have been disrupted, then it is time to call in SERVPRO, to mitigate water damage restoration time and costs. Rapid water pumping will diminish downtime and lessen damage to inventory, office furniture, supplies, and the building's structural components. Precise assessment and planning get results.

Contact SERVPRO Today. If your commercial property has been impacted by water damage, it's time to take action. When you call the friendly professionals of SERVPRO, you'll receive a fast response from IICRC-certified technicians who use cutting edge equipment and customized methodologies to expedite the restoration process. Our techs are trained in water damage restoration, applied structural drying techniques, odor control, and mold remediation. Cleaning and restoring, as opposed to more costly replacing, is our policy so that we save you money as we quickly work to get your business back in business. "Like it never even happened."