Many restorers get their first commercial water-damage project through an acquaintance, or by referral from a previous successful project in the residential or janitorial arena. Although many of the people involved seem to have the same job description, most of these jobs are more complex, and there are a few additional people that need to be acknowledged for a most-successful project.
I define a successful commercial project as one in which the building owner, management staff, the occupants and insurance company are happy with the timely restoration and costs involved, and the restorer gets paid on time for the work performed. Hey, stop laughing; I was very successful in all these areas, including getting paid on time, or at least in a timely manner, because I knew how to communicate with the proper people. Zig Zigler says it best: “You can get what you want if you just help enough of the right people get what they want.” So the trick is to find out who the right people are, figure out what they really want and give it to them.