In the wake of a major loss event — whether it be a commercial building decimated by flood waters, or a residential property succumbing to an unexpected fire — there is no shortage of pressing concerns for the property owner to contend with. The emotional impacts, given that experiencing a loss is often unexpected and traumatic; concerns for personal items or damaged workplace equipment; or planning a path forward to continue taking care of your business or family.
While these urgent questions are considered, a team of experts can lessen the weight of the policyholders’ responsibilities by handling all things related to the property and its damage. Building consultants play a multi-faceted role in the property claims sector, and in many ways, act as the first line of defense following a loss. They handle safety aspects of the damaged structure, investigate and determine problem areas, and handle contractor pricing, scoping, estimating and repair schedules. They also give peace of mind to the claimants’ experiencing the disruption and uncertainty that comes with experiencing a loss.
Technical expertise
Of all the tools to be equipped with in this line of business, technical expertise and insights are unparalleled. One building consultant cannot handle each aspect of the loss — in addition to in-house consultants, there should be a panel of professionals to fill the expertise gaps: engineers, quantity surveyors, architects, building contractors, and fire investigators, or others, depending upon the circumstances of the loss. Together, they can act as an independent resource for the client, through each phase of the decision-making process — surveying and investigating the loss, repairing or replacing the damage, and ultimately, the rebuild.
If a fire occurs a manufacturing plant, for example, and the bulk of the damaged materials are high-end electrical components, a regular building consultant is not the predominant expert to dispatch. Sedgwick would likely enlist the support of an electrical expert with a wealth of knowledge and technical experience to analyze fire damage, investigate its source, conduct forensic testing of electrical components, and ultimately determine a plan for the equipment’s repair, recovery or replacement.
In one case Sedgwick’s building consultancy team took on, an earthquake and subsequent tsunami affected northern Japan, causing billions of dollars in property damage. According to a merchandise company, two recently built distribution centers — each nearly one million square feet in size — had sustained severe damage in direct result of the earthquake. When Sedgwick’s experts carried out roof inspections, it was determined that the damage could not have been a result of the earthquake — it had had to have occurred prior to it. Such a determination could only be made accurately with technical knowledge surrounding building components, roofing, general construction and catastrophe.
California earthquake preparation
Leveraging advanced technology will only become increasingly helpful with time, and aid in building consultancy services’ accuracy, efficiency and safety. This is particularly true in the face of a warming climate that’s accelerating the frequency and severity of natural disasters, and subsequently, accelerating property damage risks. At Sedgwick, we’re closely monitoring one state in particular — California, home to two-thirds of the nation’s earthquake risk — and recognize the grave need for leading-edge technology and robust building solutions.
The violent shaking that often occurs during an earthquake event isn’t the only potential consequence that puts property and human life at risk. Earthquake effects can also trigger tsunamis, fires, landslides, flash floods and avalanches — particularly along fault lines — which more than half of Californians live in proximity of. Within affected structures, these risks can lead to broken utilities, fire or water damage, spread of toxins, personal injuries or loss of business contents. What’s more, risk continues to increase year-by-year, as older buildings built with outdated materials become increasingly vulnerable, many buildings lack upgrades sufficient to current building codes, and urban development continues to grow in seismically active areas.
Advanced technologies — specifically 3D imaging and drone technology — are core to Sedgwick’s process of safely, efficiently and accurately investigating a potentially dangerous loss site. This technology is especially important in scenarios like earthquakes, where the property itself may not be safe — even for experts — to walk through.
Learn more:
- Explore Sedgwick’s building consulting services here.
- For catastrophe (CAT) resources, visit Sedgwick’s CAT resource center for the latest updates, planning and response solutions and additional support.
Tags: building, building consultancy, Building consulting, Cat Insights, CAT work, Catastrophe, Catastrophe prevention, Earthquake, Fire, Property, Restoring property