Ethics Count!

Ethics in today’s business world is hard to find. With some of the largest corporations failing across the nation, as well as worldwide, it’s not hard to see why. CEOs have been getting increasingly larger salaries and bonuses while the companies they were supposed to be running started crumbling right underneath them. We all heard about Merrill Lynch’s CEO John Thain who, as the company was barely afloat, paid more than one million dollars to refurnish his office.

Advanced Restoration isn’t close to being a multi-billion dollar business, but we do understand the power of ethics. We are not 100% perfect all the time, but we always promise to be honest and correct our mistakes. As Certified Restorers and members of RIA, Advanced Restoration is held to a high standard and ethical code which states:

• We will do our work right and at a fair and reasonable price.
• We deal competently and fairly with homeowners and insurance companies alike.
• We only scope the damage involved, as we perceive it.
• We do not enter into any agreements with homeowners, insurance adjusters or subcontractors to give or receive rebates or compensation not specified in the estimate.
• We do not discuss our prices with competitors while bidding is still open
• We will not enter into any secret agreements to do more work for less, as well as charging less for work done that the rate quoted in our estimate.
• We are always in search of new research and developments in fire, water, vandalism and related disaster restoration to give our customers the benefit and most effective techniques available.
• We keep excellent job records and administer our company’s affairs in accordance with business and accounting procedures.
• Our estimates and opinions reflect our best professional judgment and nothing else.

For more information about RIA visit www.restorationindustry.org .

13-0 BCS Busters!

Nobody thought it would happen but the Utes have done it again! An amazing win by the University of Utah in the Sugar Bowl has shown the world the Mountain West Conference is a force to be reckoned with. Utah beat Alabama's Crimson Tide 31-17 for their second BCS bowl game win.

Utah dominated the Crimson Tide with three touchdowns in the first quarter alone. Alabama got their name in the game in the second quarter with a field goal right off the start, but just couldn't keep it going.

After Utah's win many tried to blame the loss on the fact that Alabama didn't have Andre Smith on the offensive line to protect John Parker Wilson, who was sacked eight times in the game. But in reality, Utah played an awesome game. They held off Alabama's running game and blew past their defense. Utah definitely proved they were there to play and make a name for themselves.

Utah wanted to be there and they were excited to have the opportunity where Alabama was still brooding over their lose to Florida and the fact they didn't make it to the championship game.

Utah was the only team that had an undefeated season and should have been ranked number one but with all the National Championship bureaucracy, Utah landed at second on the AP poll with Florida at number one. Utah's head coach Kyle Whittingham was awarded the National Coach of the Year by the American Football Coaches Association.

UTAH VS. ALABAMA

Jasen Ah You, our production manager and John Hunter, one of our estimator were both involved in coaching the University of Utah football team to a 12-0 season in 2008, and are helping to keep the winning streak going all the way to New Orleans. The Running Utes (ranked 7th in BCS standings) are set to face off against Alabama’s Crimson Tide (ranked 4th in BCS standings) on January 2nd. This will be a tough game for Utah and everyone (yah, even our BYU alum) are rooting for Utah and a perfect 13-0 season

This is the second BCS bowl game the University of Utah has been invited to in the last four years. In 2005 Utah beat Pittsburg 35-7. It was an amazing win for Utah, especially because they were the first non BCS team to make it to a BCS bowl game, and now the first team to do so twice.

Alabama is making their thirteenth trip to the sugar bowl. The last of which was in 1993 when they beat Miami for the BCS championship title. Alabama is favored to win, with a ten point lead over Utah. Utah will not go down so easily, however, they are in this game to win. Currently Utah holds the longest winning streak in the nation with 13 wins and has won the last six of their bowl games.

Just this week Andre Smith, Alabama’s offensive tackle was suspended and will not be playing against Utah. This is good news for The Utes; Smith is a superstar for Alabama’s offensive line. Smith was suspended from the team due to a violation of team rules.

GO UTES!

Building You Up

An igloo appeared on the front of this year’s Christmas card from Advanced Restoration. Here is a little history on igloos: The word igloo is an Inuit word for house or dwelling. Igloos are ingenious buildings that can save lives. Did you know a well-built igloo can get as warm as 61 degrees Fahrenheit, with temperatures as low as -40 degrees outside? The inside of an igloo can trap warmth by body heat which will increase temperature.

Ice crystals interlock as the snow is cut into blocks. A strong igloo can hold the weight of a man standing on top of it. Some lamps are used in igloos which cause the snow to melt a little, which actually strengthens the igloo from the inside. Igloos are constructed by forming a circle the size you would like your igloo to be. Then well-cut blocks are carved from the middle and placed around the edge of the circle. A portion of a few of the blocks are then shaved down to the ground on the first circle so the remaining blocks stack in an ascending order. This is how the igloo is eventually closed at the top. A hole is cut in the side and in the roof to allow for air circulation.

Some igloos were constructed for temporary overnight shelter for hunting trips, and others were constructed for longer stays and included up to five rooms and housed up to twenty people. Advanced Restoration takes the same pride in rebuilding your home. Building You Up is never far from our minds. Please have a safe and happy holiday season!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pia4i5sr0o0

Hiring A Handyman

As the real estate market declines, many homeowners are considering remodeling their homes. The stress of hiring a contractor can be bad enough, without worrying about a possible criminal record, or sordid past. You have to be careful about who you let in your home. Whether it’s a landscaper, contractor, or electrician who you are hiring, each should be qualified and licensed through the state.

There are many qualified and honest contractors, but there are also many that are not licensed to do the work and can leave you with a hole in your pocket and a big mess to clean up. The state licensing division is not required to do a background check on applicants. It is up to you, the homeowner, to protect yourself.

Here are a few tips to consider when hiring a contractor:

1. Get at least three bids on any project you have going on.
2. Ask them to supply you with past customers you can contact to ask about their experience and how they like the work; don’t forget to ask if you can come view the work yourself.
3. You don’t always want to go with the cheapest bid. Ask friends and family members for recommendations. Check with the state to see if the contractor is licensed in their field, https://secure.utah.gov/llv/llv .
4. Make sure you ask any questions you may have. Is each contractor given a background check? Are their employees drug tested?
5. Do not pay in full. Give a small down payment and only pay more as the work progresses.

At Advanced Restoration we do a thorough check on all our sub contractors. We make sure they are licensed and properly insured to do the work. We care about the quality of our work and that it is done properly the first time. We also understand and abide by code regulations and standards.

At Advanced Restoration, our licensed contractors are skilled in home renovations as well as add-ons. We want the process of remodeling your home to be as painless as possible and we promise to do the work right and on time!

It’s a Friday night and kids are running around practically unrecognizable in crazy and scary costumes, out to collect a stockpile of candy to last a lifetime. A group of young teens, happy to be out of the house start from house to house, looking for treats. However being at an age where most people feel they are too old to be trick-or-treating, boredom sets in after only a few houses. The adolescents get creative and begin to find humor in toilet-papering or egging someone’s house. Now the old saying, “Trick or Treat” becomes a real threat.

Kids may think it is fun to spray paint your house or send a stink bomb through your mail slot, or throw eggs at vehicles, but the damage that occurs is no laughing matter. Many acts of vandalism start out as small pranks that escalate into costly property damage. Eggs can discolor the paint on your home and car.
Taking a few steps to protect your home can end up saving you money. Make sure your home is well lit, making it harder for vandals to hide in the shadows. Be on the lookout for your neighbors’ homes as well, and ask them to do the same for you.

If you have kids of that age, talk to them about the consequences of vandalism. Let them know the dangers and the possible repercussions that will follow. Let them know it’s not just a harmless prank, but it will end up costing someone hundreds, maybe even thousands of dollars in damages.

Whether it’s a firecracker in your mail slot or spray paint on the side of your house, Advanced Restoration is here to help if you happen to be a victim of vandalism.

WINTERIZING YOUR HOME

With winter right around the corner, there are several things that as homeowners you need to be aware of. In our line of work we see flood after flood, especially during the springtime. Most of these can be prevented in the fall by doing a few simple things around the house and yard.
Start by turning off your outside water and detaching your hose, this allows the excess water to drain out the pipe. If not, water gets trapped in the exterior water faucet where the hose connects and slides back into the pipe. When the water freezes, the pipe expands causing it to crack. The pipe is underground and is not visible. When you turn on your water on in the spring, the water escapes out the cracked in the pipe, and only has one place to go, your basement!

If you have a sump pump, make sure it is draining properly by pouring water into the sump tank, watch to make sure the float rises and is able to trigger the pump. If the pump is working properly the water should drain quickly and lower the float to shut off the pump. If float does not trigger the pump check the float, it may be catching on something, reposition the pump and try again. If this does not work you’ll most likely need to replace the float. If the water starts to lower and the pump doesn’t shut off, this also indicates you need a new float.

Drain your swamp cooler completely and clean out the bottom tray. Remove the buildup of mineral deposits so that it doesn’t freeze and become impossible to remove in the spring. It is vital to disconnect the water line from both the unit and supply. Blow out all the excess water to prevent freezing. Cover the unit to protect from snow.

Clean out your gutters and storm drains. As the snow starts melting, keep a clear path for the water to go. Your down spouts should be pointed to a well draining area to carry the water away from your home. Downspouts should not be positioned near window wells or hills. If your gutters are full of dirt and leaves, the melting snow and rain can back up and can form an ice dam if freezing occurs. Ice dams are formed on slanted roofs. Poor insulation causes heat to escape from the house, melting snow on the roof. The resultant water travels down to the overhang where it refreezes above the eave of the roof, and where there is also a lack of heat. The formed ice creates a frozen buildup or dam. Water cannot escape past this ice blockage, and therefore accumulates on the roof, eventually making its way beneath the shingles and may leak through into the house.

Have your furnace and ducts inspected and cleaned before turning your furnace on. Check all of your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors to make sure they are working properly. Have your chimney flue cleaned and make sure the damper is opening and closing properly. If you use a gas fireplace have that inspected as well. Have a fire extinguisher on hand in your home, if you have one and it’s older than ten years, it should be replaced.

If you need any help or have questions call Advanced Restoration 888.886.1740

Home Sweet Home

Advanced Restoration is here to not only help restore the quality of your home, but to build the quality of your life. With the real estate market declining in Utah as well as nationwide, many people are forgoing selling their home and are thinking about remodeling instead. Remodeling could be in your best interest because of the money you may be able to save and potentially invest.

Every situation is different and every one needs special attention. For instance, maybe you don’t feel your house is big enough to accommodate your growing family but you have great neighbors or your child’s school is excellent. When remodeling you have the control over the features and style you want, without the hassle of moving. Rarely do you find a home that is perfect the way it is, but with you making the decisions it can be. Ultimately, the cost and time spent selling and fixing up a home can be just as much as a renovation. With the right additions and changes, remodeling can increase your selling price if you do decide to move.

When you remodel with the intention to sell in the near future, keep your changes simple and reasonable. Stay with classic looks and don’t go for the style of the moment. Often homeowners will go overboard with changes that become turn offs for potential buyers. The shag carpet in the 70’s and today’s over-the-top bathrooms with giant Jacuzzi tubs might fit into this category.
Also keep in mind the value and style of your neighbors’ homes. The buyers looking in your neighborhood may or may not appreciate your efforts. They might not know the difference between granite counter tops and Formica.

Advanced Restoration is fully equipped to assist you in any remodel needs, from the simplest project to home expansion. You spend so much time in your home, so make it relaxing and a place you can enjoy!

The Silent Storm

After a fire, your home can be consumed by the smell of smoke. It can be unbearable to live with and to make matters worse, it is absorbed by any surface, including walls and furniture. Ozone is a safe chemical-free deodorizing process that will remove any smell; from smoke to pet odors. At Advanced Restoration, we use this gentle deodorizing process to restore your home and its contents back to the great smell free items they were.

The earth’s natural ozone layer is produced through the interaction of solar energy and oxygen in the atmosphere, such as lightning and thunderstorms. This natural occurrence in our atmosphere has been duplicated in a form that allows us to create ozone whenever and wherever. This process uses a discharging phenomenon that occurs between two electrodes when high voltage is applied. Dielectric materials, such as glass are applied between the electrodes, resulting in the current not passing between the electrodes. And unlike thunder and lightning, there is no intense light or loud thunder.

Ozone is composed of three atoms of oxygen; the third oxygen atom in ozone is unstable and wants to react with an organic material, such as an odor-causing carbon molecule. When the third oxygen atom breaks off from the other two oxygen atoms, they simply turn into oxygen and the third atom becomes a powerful oxidizer that breaks down odor molecules and converts them into water vapor and carbon dioxide, without leaving a perfume or residue.

The process takes up to eight hours but eliminates the odor for good. It is important to note that ozone is hazardous to breathe. If this process is used in your home, you and your pets should not be present until the ozone process has been complete. This process can even be used in your car to remove cigar and cigarette smells. Though large amounts of ozone are not good to inhale, it is by far safer to use than a chemical process that leaves lingering residue.


Sources:
http://www.oki.com/en/otr/209/downloads/otr-209-R07.pdf

Restoration Reports; About Ozones by Michael Schumer
The Use of Ozone in Restoration Services Michael Schumer March 1987

Advanced Restoration supports your community

Advanced Restoration believes in buying local first. As members of a community we should support the businesses that keep our neighborhoods thriving. Locally owned businesses preserve local character, prosperity, and have a key role in long term low prices. Business owners are usually more willing to contribute to their communities in a way that big chains can’t. As a locally owned Utah business Advanced Restoration has supported our local communities, we are proud supporters of Shriners Children’s Hospital, Primary Children’s Hospital, local high school sports teams, Christmas Box House, and youth reading programs.

Advanced Restoration serves Utah communities by helping people rebuild their homes and businesses after a disaster. By contracting and employing local trade professionals we are also contributing to the local economy.

Local businesses create more jobs locally than chains and in most sectors provide better wages and benefits. In the long run with the competition of small businesses prices decrease and cities stay viable, walk able, livable places that help to decrease sprawl and energy prices. They offer more diverse products and services.
Advanced Restoration encourages you to use local businesses in your area http://www.localfirst.org/

The latest in continuing education

Many of you may have questions about whether or not you are able to retake a CE course, even after the two year renewal period. According to NAIC rules, a producer is allowed to repeat a course number, but they cannot take it more than one time per renewal period, nor can they receive credit for a second time. They can however repeat a class each renewal period and count it for credit, if they so choose.

The current rule R590-142 says otherwise, but that rule is currently under major re-construction. Until it's formally in place, the NAIC is allowing us to follow what is currently accepted, which is to allow for repeat courses.

At Advanced Restoration, we offer 11 continuing education courses, including our newest course on ethics, called Ethics Count! Look for this class in our online monthly newsletter. To sign up for our e-newsletter and to get up-to-date information about our CE classes, Please email: Kristin

If you have questions about the courses you've previously taken, Sircon will give you a list of all your continuing education credits.

Summertime Events

Over the last month, Advanced Restoration had the opportunity to attend many industry functions. “We love to be out mingling with our clients. Thank you to all who put in so much time and effort to make these events so successful.” Deon Hahn, Advanced Restoration.

At the UAIIA convention this year, we sponsored a booth with a tropical theme. We had hula music, a tiki hut, tropical treats and plenty of give-a-ways. Saying that our booth was unconventional is an understatement. But, we won everyone over by handing out orange dream ice cream bars. We can’t wait until next year!


The Bear River and Independent Adjusters golf tournaments were held in June as well. We had a great time challenging all the golfers to hit the longest drive. We handed out $150 cash prize to the winners. See if you can find yourself in the slide show below.

Golf Tournament Slideshow

A little help goes a long way

Advanced Restoration recently had the opportunity to donate to a charity of their choice. We felt Shriners Hospital for Children in Salt Lake City was the perfect place to do so because, this little hospital at the top of the hill, gives in a big way.

From Left to Right: Katie, Advanced Restoration LLC; Mike Babcock, Shriners Hospital; Deon, Advanced Restoration LLC

Shriners Hospital restores health and hope for children; a priceless gift. They are equipped to handle nearly all orthopaedic problems, excluding trauma cases, and each surgery performed is designed to improve quality of life. Whether it’s specialized care or financial assistance, these children and their families, get the attention they desperately seek.

Next to the talented health care professionals, they have hundreds of volunteers who help keep the hospital running. We arrived shortly after an Olympic athlete, who came just to spend his time with the children.

In addition to the standard hospital facilities, Shriners Hospital offers a large recreation area, a school and tutoring center, and on-site therapists and technicians who build prosthetic limbs and wheelchairs for the patients. We were able to speak with the wheelchair therapists about the need they see and the care they are able to provide. The therapists tailor every chair to the specific requirements of each child: manual or automatic, shape and size. On average, a new wheelchair with power-steering can cost as much as $20,000! But, last year, Shriners Hospital was able to provide over 200 wheelchairs at no cost to the families in need.

With little room for storage, wheelchairs are placed in the hall-way to accommodate their growth.

The hospital is run from an endowment created by the Shriners fraternity. Because of generous donations to the hospital, Shriners is able to provide quality pediatric care. Shriners need is on-going because health care, as we all know, is extremely expensive.

From Left to Right: Mike Babcock, Shriners Hospital; Kristin and Deon, Advanced Restoration LLC

Upon arrival to the hospital, one of the representatives for Shriners warned, “we’ll really get in your blood!” She was right.

For more information about Shriners Hospital for Children or, details on how you can become a donor, please visit their website.

It's all about who you know

There is power in networking. Advanced Restoration has seen the benefits of this concept through an association they belong to called Business Networks. Deon and Wayne, Advanced Restoration’s two owners, assemble with the owners of 11 other restoration companies around the nation, every 6 months, to critique their peer’s business methods. This ensures each business is analyzed once every 6 years.

Two weeks ago, they flew to San Antonio, Texas for a networking conference. The focus this time was not on an individual company but about two main aspects of any business, finance and marketing. They were able to learn new and more efficient ways to tackle these areas by sharing experiences and gaining knowledge from third party experts.

The red dots on the map represent the diversity of the group

Great friendships have been created within the group and everyone is willing to help share in the success of the industry. With an average of 20 years experience per company, how could they go wrong?

Business networks have several different chapters. They arrange the groups based on certain criteria including, type of industry, overall size, and whether or not you are in direct competition.

Out of several hundred companies in the business networks program, Advanced Restoration has consistently been ranked in the top 15. This year they are in the 13th position. These ranks are based on many circumstances including, finance, knowledge, and how well they follow through with the goals set.

Advanced Restoration sees the value in having an open mind about the aspects of their business. They take away the best practices from the group and implement them directly to be the best company they can be.

To learn more or, if you are interested in participating in a networking group of this kind, please visit their website.