The New Trend in Do it yourself Home Remodeling: Hosting a Demolition Party
In a recent article by the Los Angeles Times, a couple undergoing a Los Angeles home remodeling project enlisted the help of their friends to cut costs on demolishing their patio by hosting a demolition party. The event was complete with party invitations, soda, food, snacks, safety goggles, gloves, several sledgehammers and one rented jackhammer. Arnie and Lily Richards, along with their 6 friends, who were happy and eager to help, did so successfully after a light lunch and several hours of work. The idea has since been reproduced by several other Los Angeles homeowners, hoping to save a little extra cash on their remodeling projects. Jim Vanderveen hosted a demolition after his Los Angeles general contractor suggested he could save money by removing an old covered patio in the back of his house himself. So he hosted a demolition party in which 8 people showed up to help out, and has since held 2 other parties, one of which was to remove an entire wall from his house to make space for a Los Angeles room addition. He suggests that it is important to be aware of all the safety precautions as well as the skill levels of your friends before hosting any sort of demolition party. The idea has worked marvelously for Vanderveen, who said, “Many of these things can be done without professional help, but you do have to read and research the information before getting started.” The parties have become such a hit trend that even HGTV is looking into creating a show tentatively called, “House Party” based on the very same idea.
It is also important to be aware of the risks involved, from accidental damages to injuries of you or your friends. One couple who had recently hosted an event to help with their Los Angeles kitchen remodeling project had new tile installed, but a friend helping to paint accidentally spilled an entire 5-gallons of paint on the brand new floor. Handyman Paul Maceyka was called in to remove and replace all the tile grout, which cost the homeowners around $4,000. On the other hand, a good party with less clumsy friends could save some good money. Vanderveen estimated that his parties saved him up to $6,000, while the Richards’ party saved them roughly $900. In the long run, the cost to hire a professional may be less than the cost of using inexperienced labor, but if you plan right and enlist the more experienced of your friends for the right projects, the end results could be just as effective at much less cost.
Insurance is No Assurance (party, Tent, and Equipment Rental Dealers)
Don’t automatically assume you’re protected. According to one national survey, nearly 60 percent of businesses are seriously underinsured. In the event of a major claim, the survey showed that the underinsured could find that the upper limit of their policy payout is 20 percent less than what they need in today’s market.
Just because you have an insurance policy, doesn’t mean you have the right one. The difference between the right policy and the wrong one could cost your business hundreds of thousands of dollars if your insurance coverage is not adequate. When a loss happens, you need help – what you don’t need is to learn that there is no coverage to recoup your losses. The best time to get educated is now, before that scenario occurs.
The Coverage You Need
Unlike other businesses, there is no standard policy for your industry. The rental and equipment dealer has various unique risks and coverage needs that need to be individually evaluated for the proper insurance coverage. There are several factors that you should consider when insuring your business.
• Make sure you are insured with a specialist
Don’t insure your business with someone who doesn’t know your industry. Just because your brother-in-law sells home owner policies doesn’t mean that you should let him write your insurance. You may be doing him a favor and not yourself. Seek out someone who understands and works in the industry and can provide you the maximum coverage available.
• Choose financial Strength and Stability
Make sure you are with an A+ rated insurance carrier from A.M. Best. You can find out how your current insurance carrier is rated at www.ambest.com. This rating system shows a client what a company’s financial strength is and its ability to meet their obligations. Remember, an insurance program is only as good as the company that stands behind it. Be cognizant of the inferior choices out there that may leave your business vulnerable.
• Customized Coverage
Again, it is imperative that you have an insurance policy tailored your business needs. This must include your unique coverage needs such as conversion, in transport, equipment breakdown and off premises. Do your research and make sure your policy covers these areas.
• All Lines of Insurance
When picking your insurance carrier, make sure that they cover all lines of insurance. This means that their policy includes but is not limited to property, general liability, auto coverage, inland marine, and workers compensation. Placing all of your insurance coverage with one carrier provides you with easier claim handling and decreases your chance of having gaps in your insurance coverage from one carrier to the next.
Ultimate Service
In an industry that caters to the needs of a diverse group of rental customers, it is fundamental to provide high-quality service. Whether they are renting party goods or homeowner and contractor equipment, your customers rely on you to provide high-quality equipment in good working condition – when they need it.
With that in mind, you should demand that same level of service from your insurance provider. It is their job to ensure that your business and your equipment are covered. Replacement cost, conversion, and off premise coverage should be a standard in your policy. If you don’t have an adequate amount of coverage, your business may be seriously underinsured. In the event of a major loss, there is a very strong chance that your current policy will fall very short of what you need.
Strategic Partner
Most people hate insurance until the time comes when they need it. I believe we all need to see insurance in the light of people helping each other maintain financial security. For example, in early civilization, if a house burnt down, the members of the community banded together and helped build a new one. If someone wasn’t willing to help, they were perceived as a bad neighbor and the community wasn’t as willing to help them out in the future. In today’s insurance world, there are plenty of “bad neighbors” out there who only want to collect premiums and are not concerned with helping you. Once you received a quote and paid your premium, your coverage is bound and you believe that your business is adequately covered, right? Maybe! Don’t make your business vulnerable because you are not educated about the company that is insuring your business and the type of coverage they provide. Do your research. There are A+ rated companies out there who have the knowledge and capability to protect your company for that “just in case moment.” For the sake of your business, seek out those insurance companies that have custom policies for your industry and can provide you with proper coverage, industry expertise, and financial strength and stability.