Under Construction During the Storm ? A Hurricane Guide for Businesses that are Under Construction

As a business owner, you've likely created a hurricane plan for your business and your family, but did you overlook your construction project? Don't worry, you're not alone. Most people don't even think about preparing their construction site because it's not written into their "construction timeline." But when a hurricane threatens, general contractors usually get panicked phone calls asking about potential damage, delays and cost.

You can save time and frustration by contacting your general contractor to discuss their plan before a hurricane strikes. You've invested a lot of resources into your construction project, so insist that your contractor safeguard it the same way that you safeguard your home. Here is a guide on what to expect from your general contractor's hurricane preparation plan:

1. Preparation Timing ? A construction site has infinitely more hazards than a completed building, so it is reasonable to assume that the site won't be properly secured in one day. Depending on the size of the project, your general contractor should start preparing your site three to five days in advance of the storm.

2. Actual Building Preparation ? Your general contractor should complete a structural analysis of your building to assess its weaknesses in the days prior to the storm. Is the roof up? Are any of the frames or trusses exposed? Are the exterior openings exposed? Any work that will help the structural integrity of the building should continue if it can be completed in time (this might include concrete or roofing). At the same time, any work that is highly vulnerable to damage (like landscaping or exterior painting), should be put on hold until after the storm.

3. Exterior Site Preparation ? Any lose material like 2x4's, rebar, scaffolding, and roofing tile could become a dangerous projectile. Your general contractor should secure all of these items to protect your building and to protect surrounding businesses and homes. Larger jobsites might require an engineering consultation to properly secure materials. Additionally, your general contractor should verify any onsite construction trailers are securely tied down, dumpsters should be emptied or removed, portable toilettes should be removed and any deliveries of non-essential materials should be placed on hold.

4. Construction Documents ? The same way that you would want to protect insurance documents or a mortgage, your general contractor should be protecting the jobsite documentation in a waterproof container, or relocating it to the contractor's main office.

5. Builders Risk Insurance ? This is a policy that the general contractor purchases on your behalf. It is your policy to protect your investment, so make sure that you read it thoroughly and understand it. Specifically, you should be aware the following:

a. Last year, there were several disputes over who paid the insurance deductible for damage. Since then, some insurance companies have already written that clarification into the policy. If the insurance policy doesn't mention it, your contract with the general contractor should stipulate whether you or the general contractor is responsible for the deductible.

b. Several buildings that were damaged last year were under-insured, so make sure that your insurance covers the full value of the building.

c. If your project will be completed during hurricane season, consider purchasing a policy that covers an extra month or two so that you are locked into a lower premium rate if your project is delayed. Most insurance companies will allow you to drop the policy if the project is completed early.

d. Builders Risk Insurance does NOT cover flooding or mold. However, you can purchase separate policies.

You've prepared for everything else when the storm strikes, don't forget to plan for your construction project too.

Cyndee Woolley is the Marketing Coordinator for Professional Building Systems. http://www.pbscontractors.com/

---

Getting Started with Succession Planning: Part II

Succession planning requires the owner of a small or medium-sized... Read More

Dayton, OH; Why your Company needs to expand there

In Ohio: besides the 3-Cs you should look at Akron,... Read More

Why Six Sigma Will Work in Healthcare

If ever there were an industry where we want zero... Read More

How to Start A Business Plan

A business plan precisely defines your business, identifies your goals,... Read More

Is Plan B Ready?

Business owners and entrepreneurs are, by nature, risk takers and... Read More

Water Conservation and Water Issues for Mobile Car Washers and Auto Detailers

Obviously, there will never be an actual water shortage since... Read More

The Tables Have Turned - Its Officially a Sellers Market

Private equity firms have raised so much capital over the... Read More

Business Plan 101 How to Write a Table of Contents

No matter what business you plan to start in your... Read More

Going Self-Employed ? A Few Handy Hints

The day you decide to take the plunge and work... Read More

In Business Planning, Competition is Good

When developing the competition section of your business plan, companies... Read More

Expanding your business in a franchise system

If you are a successful franchise of a large franchise... Read More

Business Plan Long Term Goals

Writing a business plan is not an easy endeavor, nor... Read More

How Copying the HBO Schedule Can Boost Your Business

I'm not talking about posting the HBO schedule on your... Read More

Completing the Annual Planning Process

Imagine an office without a desk, or lights, a computer,... Read More

How to Write a Business Plan in Five Steps

People often ask "What makes a good business plan? Or,... Read More

Consolidation in the Software Industry is Hardly New: Obsess About It or Risk Losing it All

Some analysts credit [Larry] Ellison with anticipating the consolidation in... Read More

Three Steps to Give Your Strategic Plan Traction

We all agree Strategic Planning is a critical part of... Read More

Why You Need a Business Planning System NOT a Business Plan

When someone mentions business planning we have been conditioned to... Read More

Benefiting from Strategic Thinking

I recently took an organizational behavior class where my professor... Read More

Business Strategy Planning Made Easy

Ask Yourself three simple questions that affect your strategy planning...... Read More

The Top 10 Priorities That Guard Your Five-Star Reputation

Making money doesn't make your reputation... your reputation makes you... Read More

Documenting the Exit Strategy in Your Business Plan

All investors greatly desire and are motivated by a clear... Read More

More Uses for Your Business Plan

You have invested a lot of time and energy on... Read More

Leverage - A Small Step For You /A Big Change For Your Career

Cassy was an employee of a nonprofit who had been... Read More

Nine Succession Planning Mistakes Small Businesses Should Avoid

1. Attempt Succession Planning Without Other Strategic Plans. Succession plans... Read More

What is a Shared Vision?

So what makes a vision successful? Everyday companies try to... Read More

10 Critical Facts to Put On the Cover of Your Business Plan...

In most business plans, no matter how striking the idea,... Read More

Top 10 Tips to Create A Business Plan! (For People Who Hate Business Plans)

One of the key challenges for any business is to... Read More

Strategic Acquisition Strategies for Small Businesses

Growth through acquisition should not be considered an option reserved... Read More

The Impact of Price Popularity on Profits

The goal of almost every business owner is to generate... Read More

How to Write a Business Plan Market Analysis

Writing a business plan is an essential part of the... Read More

Getting Started with Succession Planning: Part I

GETTING STARTED WITH SUCCESSION PLANNING: PART IA survey of 4,300... Read More

Online Promotion: 10 Ways To Use Focus Groups To Ignite Your Profits

A focus group is a group of employees or current... Read More