C&R Weekly masthead
MARCH 3, 2014
     TABLE OF CONTENTS
TOP STORIES
TopStories 

Cleaning industry mourns loss of Bill Bane

Cleanfax

Bane-Clene Systems founder, William Francis Bane, passed away on February 20th. He was an admired community leader and entrepreneur who led a successful business for over half his life, and rose to a position of prominence within the industry.

 

J.D. Power reports homeowner satisfaction increases

Overall satisfaction among homeowners who filed a property claim improved for the second consecutive year according to the J.D. Power 2014 Property Claims Satisfaction Study released on Friday.

 

IICRC S100 Draft revised standard available for public review

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is revising the IICRC S100-2011 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Cleaning of Textile Floor Coverings. It is now available for public review and comment through April 14, 2014. Access the draft Standard, Reference Guide and Comment Forms here.

 

Attorney General files lawsuit against Austin restoration company

MyFox Austin

The Attorney General's office has filed a lawsuit against Castro Property Restoration, a company that victims say took their money and didn't follow through. 

 

INSURANCE
Insurance

House Republicans release flood insurance relief bill

Insurance Journal

House GOP leaders put the final touches on legislation that would significantly water down a recently enacted overhaul of the much criticized federal flood insurance program, easing many premium increases and allowing below-market rates to be passed on to people buying homes with taxpayer-subsidized policies.

 

NJ Court seeking ways to expedite Sandy flood litigation process

Insurance Journal

A New Jersey federal court is seeking ways to expedite the litigation process for hundreds of flood insurance coverage-related cases that have been filed in the wake of Superstorm Sandy. The court said it has received more than 600 lawsuits that target various insurers in the National Flood Insurance Program's Write-Your-Own (WYO) Program and that more cases are expected to be filed.

 

 

 

 
RIA CONVENTION UPDATE

Convention 

TPA Panel closes RIA Convention

Don't plan to skip out early on the RIA Convention, or you'll miss a Q&A session with the leaders of three major third-party administrators: Paul Gross, Code Blue; Jonathan Miko, Alacrity Services; and Larry Thomas, Crawford Contractor Connection. As the insurance restoration industry continues to evolve, so does the role of the third-party administrator. The panelists will address the changing role of the TPA, the challenges they encounter, their expectations of contractor vendors, how they handle major catastrophes, and much more.

 

Annual Awards Banquet

The RIA Awards Banquet will be held on Thursday, April 10, 2014 to highlight the accomplishments of RIA's certificants who have attained their certifications, honor those who have given countless hours of service to the organization, and recognize volunteers and individuals who have demonstrated excellence in their field.  Awards presented include the Phoenix Awards for Innovation in Restoration and Reconstruction, service awards, the Martin L. King Award, the Golden Quill Award and the Advanced Certification Induction Ceremony.  An additional ticket must be purchased for this event.

 

 

  
INTERNATIONAL NEWS
InternationalNews      

Australia's QBE Insurance posts $254 million loss for 2013

Business Insurance

Australia-based QBE Insurance Group Ltd. suffered a loss of $254 million in 2013 because of its troubled U.S. business, Herald Sun reported.

 

New Zealand insurers "least prepared" for major quakes: Report

Business Insurance

A report by Marsh Inc. said major earthquakes that hit Chile, Japan and New Zealand between February 2010 and March 2011 resulted in total estimated insured losses of about $60 billion, Stuff.co.nz reported.

 

 

CANADIAN NEWS
CanadianNews   

Alberta home insurance costs spike post-flood

CBC.ca

The flooding in Alberta caused more than $5 billion in damage, and now many residents are seeing the impact on their insurance bills. More than $1.7 billion in insurance claims have been paid out, but insurance companies are passing on the extra costs to consumers.

 

Canada: Fire damage at warehouse to cost $3.6 million

Business Insurance

A major fire recently broke out at a Canadian Tire Corp. Ltd. warehouse, causing an estimated damage of $4 million Canadian ($3.6 million), Saskatoon fire officials said.

 

 

  
    
ASSOCIATION NEWS
Associations  

ACCA names Haller Enterprises Commercial Contractor of the Year

ACCA has named Haller Enterprises in Lititz, Pennsylvania, its 2014 Commercial Contractor of the Year. 

 

RIA Restoration Council seeks new members

The Restoration Council is accepting applications from qualified RIA members interested in influencing the direction of the restoration industry at large through presentations of industry-specific technical and business educational programs via the RIA convention, industry seminars, training courses, and publications.

 

Requirements:

  • RIA member owners and senior managers
  • 7 + years industry experience in one or more service lines of emergency services, mitigation, and reconstruction
  • Satisfactory completion of multiple industry technical training courses
  • Advanced industry designations are a plus
  • References

 

Restoration Council participation requires 8-10 hours monthly, and the Council meets periodically throughout the year via conference call and at the RIA Convention. Members are responsible for personal travel expenses. Email Valorie Peduto for more details.

 

  
     
INDUSTRY NEWS

IndustryNews

Disaster restoration company recently bought warehouse that burned

Billings Gazette

Billings Fire Department investigators continue to investigate the cause of a blaze that tore through a warehouse owned by Servpro of Billings.

 

Crawl spaces and hidden mold

Cochrane and Associates

A new video focuses on hidden mold, particularly in crawl spaces.

 

Home Channel News

Mooresville, N.C.-based Lowe's reported fourth quarter sales of $11.7 billion, up 5.6% from the same quarter last year, as comps increased 3.9%. The company posted fourth-quarter net earnings of $306 million, up 6.3%. 

  

 

COMPANY RELEASES

CompanyReleases 

     

 

Paul Davis customer appreciation event and open house
Paul Davis Restoration of North Florida, recently held a customer appreciation event to thank customers, vendors and suppliers who have supported the company for more than 15 years in business under owners Mike and Marguerite Mumford.
EDUCATION
Education     

WEBINAR: Sub-Contractors: Wage and Overtime Responsibilities

Wednesday, Mar 12, 2014: 1 pm- 2 pm ET/12 noon-1 p.m. CT/11 a.m.-12 noon MT/10 a.m.-11 a.m. PT

Presenter: Joel Greenwald, Esq., Greenwald Doherty, LLC

Price: RIA Mbrs: $25 Non-Mbrs: $55

 

Independent contractor vs. employee - not knowing the difference could cost you! This RIA one-hour webinar will explain in detail the legal distinctions between an employee and an independent contractor. Misclassifying employees as independent contractors may have devastating financial effects and Greenwald will identify ways to avoid the expensive pitfalls. This RIA webinar awarded one continuing education contact hour by RIA.

 

NEW MEMBERS

NewMemberPlease join us in welcoming our newest members:      

 

Perco Cleaning and Restoration - Carrum Downs, VIC

 

MEMBER RENEWALS

MemberRenewalsWe thank the following members for their continued support of the Restoration Industry Association:     

 

Accord Restoration - Harrisburg - Lewisberry, PA    (Member Since11/2009)
Accord Restoration, Inc. - Baltimore HQ - Baltimore, MD  (Member Since 02/2005)
Accord Restoration, Inc. - MD/DE Eastern Shore - Millsboro, DE   (Member Since 11/2009)
AMC Elite - Centennial, CO    (Member Since 04/1996)
Assured Software Limited - Kelowna, BC    (Member Since 01/2003)
Bachly Affiliated Companies - Bolton, ON   (Member Since 04/1996)
Cary Reconstruction Company - Apex, NC    (Member Since 03/2012)
Colorado Art Restoration Services, LLC - Lakewood, CO  (Member Since 02/2009)
DSi Professional Restoration - Colorado Springs, CO  (Member Since 03/2001)
FireStar, Inc. - Norcross, GA  (Member Since 03/1991)
Jenkins Restoration - Rockville - Rockville, MD   (Member Since 10/2010)
Jenkins Restorations - Fredericksburg - Fredericksburg, VA   (Member Since05/2009)
Jenkins Restorations - Virginia Beach - Chesapeake, VA    (Member Since 05/2009)
KELPRO Fire and Water Restoration - Myrtle Beach, SC   (Member Since 02/2007)
Phoenix Restoration Services - HQ - Garden City, KS (Member Since 11/1998)
Purofirst of Metropolitan Washington - Rockville, MD  (Member Since 03/2001)
Restoration Plus Services Inc - Salisbury, NC   (Member Since 03/2012)
Specialized Services - Little Chute, WI   (Member Since 03/1993)
Trinicon LLC - Saint Petersburg, FL    (Member Since 03/2011)
Winmar - Cape Breton - Lennox Passage, NS  (Member Since 04/2013)
Winmar Brantford/Simcoe - Brantford, ON  (Member Since 03/2013)
  

 

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