With predictions of an active season filled with named storms and potential major hurricanes, the demand for fast restoration services is about to spike. Relying on old-school methods—like handling phone calls yourself—might not be enough anymore. When you need a quality call handling solution, you won’t find a better option than working with a disaster restoration answering service. These organizations are committed to working with your business to fulfill your needs in real time. Calls are managed everyday for your business while maintaining a quality that can’t compare to individual and outdated methods of call management.
According to IBISWorld, the escalating threat of climate change has significantly amplified demand for damage restoration services. Industry revenue is estimated to increase at a CAGR of 4.5% to $7.1 billion over five years to 2024, to reach an estimated $7.1 Billion. The growing demand for water damage restoration during hurricane season is creating new opportunities for restoration specialists, but also causing longer wait times and stress for both providers and customers. No one likes to wait on hold to reach someone in a high-stress emergency situation. That’s why utilizing a disaster restoration answering service is key, allowing for minimization of wait times and the ability to answer every call that comes in. Disaster answering services like Responsive allow your business to focus on the important work you complete on a daily basis, while managing every caller who reaches out to your company with an unmatched professionalism.
To keep up with the competition and make sure every client gets the help they need when it matters most, many disaster restoration businesses are turning to professional answering services. These services provide many important benefits for callers and companies alike. Disaster restoration answering services are an important part of the customer service side of your business. Whether your company provides water damage restoration, fire damage cleanup, or mold remediation, partnering with a disaster restoration answering service can help you manage the surge in client inquiries during peak disaster seasons.
Forecasted Storm Activity for 2024
As hurricane season ravages on, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association or (NOAA) is predicting an increased Atlantic hurricane season at 85% confidence. This includes the likelihood of 8 to 13 hurricanes, and between 4-7 of those will be major. This is fueled by the La Nina flow pattern and above average water temperatures in the Atlantic basin this year, with reduced wind shear. Areas of the U.S. and other countries have already been significantly impacted by this season’s hurricane potential. Through the last month of hurricane season we should be prepared for continuing torrential downpours and disastrous winds across typically impacted regions. Currently, tropical storm Rafael is strengthening and predicted to hit Cuba and surrounding areas, and is one of the last 5 named tropical storms for the 2024 season. As a variety of factors interact, hurricane season could end with a memorable storm, or not. Either way, your disaster restoration answering service is available to assist you throughout this storm season and in the following years.How restoration contractors are preparing for increased demand
Being prepared for hurricane season is an intense and busy endeavor for disaster restoration professionals. Greater water damage means more work, while also handling peoples lives and homes. The sensitive nature of disaster restoration means that your business needs to have a plan for customer service, while handling other unique business needs behind the scenes. Some important steps your disaster restoration company should take include:- Maintaining Quality Relationships with Insurance Providers: Insurance companies keep an exclusive list of approved contractors that they refer their policyholders to for emergencies, including disaster restoration. Ask for their property repair department to learn what requirements they may need for you to join their list.
- Understanding Assignment of Benefits: Make sure you are taking care of your payments proactively. As a contractor, you can be a policyholder, if the homeowner assigns you their policy benefits. This allows you to be paid directly from the insurance company, and help your clients get back into their homes sooner.
- Investing in Your Company Image: Homeowners need a reliable and highly visible option for disaster restoration services when being confronted with storm damage. You’ll want to take the time to build an online presence, so you stand out on search engines, and keep your contact information and website are up-to-date. This helps your business stand apart, and allows your company to be easily recognized and top-of-mind for individuals in emergency situations.
- Evaluating Your Supply Chain: Throughout the pandemic and into the recent years issues with supply chains have affected contractors in the disaster restoration industry as well as many others. Managing your suppliers closely and working to resolve any potential issues prior to hurricane season is recommended. However, it is always important to establish and maintain working relationships with your suppliers to ensure that your clients can get back into their homes safely and rapidly.
- Understanding How Customer Service Impacts Your Business: Your customer service has a greater impact on your business than you might think. Answering your client’s questions and concerns while navigating insurance companies and performing restorations is a lot to manage. Having consistent, professional call management for inbound and outbound office matters allows your business to operate smoothly and efficiently. While also keeping your clients coming back to you for their disaster restoration needs.
5 Ways answering services help disaster restoration companies
In the past, many disaster restoration businesses answered and managed phone calls on their own, which was enough. However, in the midst of the 2024 hurricane season, the increasing frequency and intensity of storms demand a more robust communication strategy. With forecasts predicting an above-normal level of activity, including up to 25 named storms and several major hurricanes, relying solely on in-house call handling is no longer enough for disaster restoration businesses. It’s time to bring in a reliable 24/7 answering service partner. Here are just a few of the benefits that our disaster restoration answering service provides:- Focus on What Matters: Let the answering service take care of calls so you and your team can concentrate on restoring properties and helping your customers get back into their homes safely.
- Always There for You: With 24/7 availability, your clients can reach you anytime, even when you are out on a job site or taking time off.
- Friendly Call Handling: Trained operators will greet your callers with a warm voice, gathering caller details while putting clients at ease during this stressful time.
- Less Stress for Your Team: With someone else managing incoming calls, your staff can breathe a little easier and focus on their core tasks without distractions.
- Save Money: Using an answering service is a cost-effective way to handle calls without the need to hire extra staff, so you can allocate resources where they’re needed most.
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