Mold issues with new construction

Nathan,

Thank you for your time yesterday. I appreciate the fact that you have considered United Fire & Water Damage Restoration Inc. for your remediation project.

I wanted to expand a bit on our conversation from yesterday. I feel as though there were a few things I did not express clearly, and I wanted to share them with you.

You as a company certainly have the option, and quite possibly the ability, to address the situation you currently have at your Hammond project. I realize that to get your property back to a pre loss condition is a financial burden, and that there will be - and should be serious consideration given to the options you have as a developer. You may step in, purchase the necessary equipment needed and undertake this project yourselves and complete it without a single bump in the road. You may step in and get half way through the project and come to the conclusion you need some help. You may realize all of this after the fact as well. What ever you decide is up to you.

I’m not writing today because we need work, though we certainly are interested in your project. I’m writing to shed light on the bigger picture, and help you make the right decision today – regardless of whether it involves the use of my company or not.

These are your issues as I am sure you are well aware

• Moisture
• Microbial growth
• Embedded microbial growth
• Atmospheric issues within each unit
• Occupancy
• Future Liability

I’ll be honest with you; I was a bit shaken by your counterpart yesterday. I’m sorry, I did not get his card and I have forgotten his name, but I felt as though I was being interrogated – and I guess if I were just handed an estimate for $200k – I would probably be doing the same. The bottom line is your company had 30,000+ square feet of wood (organic) structure, most of which is to be living space, exposed to the elements for six months.

There is obvious water and microbial damage to the property. This is no doubt a liability to you, as well as the contractor who eventually takes on the remediation, and the CIH who clears your property for occupancy. You will eventually have 20 owners in these properties. 20 people you don’t know. 20 owners that may have issues with their unit or you as a developer. I would think that as a responsible and reputable builder that now is not the time to take short cuts. In order to avoid potential law suits and big time headaches on your part, any professional licensed mold remediation company should be contracted for this project.

I don’t usually play the “mold” card when it comes to business, as I think most of it is hype personally. But your situation is different. You actually have visible organic growth and water staining to the entire project, 30,000+ square feet – most of which will be occupied as living space. This can not be ignored, and it has been up to this point. All it will take is one person who is immunization deficient or hyper sensitive or allergic and you will have a very serious law suit on your hands. Consider the fact you may have very small children or elderly people living there and it only compounds the seriousness of the situation. Odds are long for this scenario, but the odds are irrelevant. You have to do what’s best for your company at this point. And cutting corners with regards to this matter is not in the best interest of XXXXXXX

All I am suggesting here Nathan is that you have any, and I mean any, reputable, licensed company perform the work at your project. You as a company will avoid future liability by having the property properly remediated, and subsequently cleared and signed off by a certified industrial hygienist for occupancy.

Again – It is my goal to work with you to meet your needs. If you would like to discuss this further I am available anytime.

Thanks,

Kevin Hussey CMR/WRT
President
United Fire & Water
7575 Jefferson Hwy #136
Baton Rouge LA 70806
1.888.657.7779 office
1.225.771.9880 cell

khussey@unitedfw.com
www.unitedfw.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FW8w-nhxa0I