Editor’s Note: At C&R, we love showcasing some of the incredible projects restorers have taken on. In this case study, Steve Glozik, president of FP Restoration, gives us a behind-the-scenes look at how his team led a 50-person crew to restore a Sanibel sanctuary devastated by Hurricane Ian. Read on to learn how restoration served as a catalyst for healing and rebuilding this community after catastrophe. Have a project you’d like us to feature? Share it with us at candrmagazine.com/case-study-submission/!
Share a little bit about your company – its background, location, etc.
FP Restoration has operated five offices in the state of Florida for over 13 years. We offer residential and commercial restoration and reconstruction services throughout the United States. Our team prides itself on constantly looking to improve through training, technology, and new industry insight.
When did you first get the call about the loss? How did you land this job? Did you have a prior relationship, referral, online search, etc?
We stay in touch with all of our partners during any event–calling, texting and emailing to keep them up to date on our capacity. In this case, I was communicating with Alacrity on how we were doing since the storm hit a couple of our locations, and this project came up. The specifics were vague, but knowing it was located on Sanibel Island and that the whole island was devastated, we knew it needed immediate attention.
Communication with the customer was spotty due to mobile systems being down, but it was established through various communications that we would meet early the next day at a boat launch to boat to the island to inspect the church. The following morning, we met a small team at the boat launch and we boated to the island. Once to Sanibel, we had a couple mile walk with Sue, the wife to Father Bill. By the time we arrived at the church, we were all well-acquainted. We performed the inspection and helped locate sacraments and items deemed important for the first visit. Then we carried these back to the waiting meeting point for the boat to pick us back up. When we arrived back in Fort Myers, we put together a comprehensive plan of what we needed to do ASAP to mitigate further damage to the church and began presenting it to all parties involved.
Walk us through the loss:
- What type of loss was it? How did it happen?
This was a water loss from Hurricane Ian with a combination of wind and rising water. The surge and flood line in the building was over six feet. - How much of the structure was affected?
100% of all ground level was affected. Other structures also had roof damages.
- Did this require mitigation? Rebuild? Contents?
It required mitigation, contents, flood water/CAT 3 remediation, and repairs. - How big was the crew working on the loss, especially in the days immediately after?
We had a 50-person team, all with varying roles.
What was the biggest challenge on this loss? What was the biggest win?
The bridge to the island was closed so no one could get on or off the island. We had to rent barges to move our vehicles and temporary power over. Then we boated our team over to start the work.
The biggest win was the fact that everyone: the contractor (FP), insurance, TPA, and the client all worked together for a common goal using communication and teamwork.
What is the biggest lesson your team learned, good or bad, on this loss?
That customers become friends and friends become family. We still communicate with this customer daily about life! Everyone was able to work together to make a very negative event into a positive outcome over an extended amount of time.
How long did the restoration process take?
From start to repair completion took 18 months. Mitigation took 30 days to complete with removals, temporary repairs, and dryout.
The sanctuary required mitigation, contents, flood water/CAT 3 remediation, and repairs. Photo courtesy of FP Property Restoration
How was communication with the carrier/adjuster throughout the process? How long did it take to get paid in full?
Communication was amazing–this is how a loss should function. Even with the phone system and internet issues, everyone stayed on the same page. The adjuster ensured that we had what we needed to get the job done and made himself available when any questions or clarification took place. The carrier ensured the client had the funds needed to keep the project moving with no delays.
Anything else?
The church itself is a major centerpiece for Sanibel Island, so to get the church open for the holidays was important to both the church members and the residents there, which in turn brought the FP team together even more. The church opening was a community event and seeing the difference it made for everyone was one of the most rewarding moments at FP.
Sanctuary repair completion took 18 months. Photo courtesy of FP Property Restoration
