What We Do
You Can’t Control a Disaster, but You Can Have a Controlled Response…
Damage Assessments
Early stage of loss recovery
Damage Assessment Services
Among the services OSVPM provides, one of the most important in the early stage of loss recovery, are damage assessments. Damage assessment services are ideally performed during the initial inspection of the loss site in the company of both the policy holder and the claims representative in an effort to reach an early agreement as to what is restorable versus non-restorable. Also factored in during the damage assessment phase is a thorough understanding of the critical business functions as they are impacted by the current loss situation. Understanding those critical business functions, is a critical step in the development of a cost effective, controlled approach to the recovery and restoration of the site.
Restorability Evaluations
Is it cost effective to pursue restoration services or should the areas in question be removed and replaced? What's the lead-time for replacement of severely damaged structural surfaces or equipment and other contents affected by the damages? What is the cost impact of those lead times? Can “pre-loss” conditions be restored via cleaning? What really represents pre-loss conditions? What determines cost effectiveness when considering replacement/actual cash value (ACV), versus time, versus daily expense coverage? These and many more cost impact questions face the commercial claims representative and policyholders alike, every day. OSVPM can answer these questions, and more, because it’s background involves restoration services during some of the most significant disaster events over the past 40 years. Our “hands on” experience uniquely qualifies us as the leading experts in the industry to assist in making decisions revolving around these issues.
Scope of Work
Emergency scope of work
Emergency scope of work
Often, the definition of the emergency scope of work sets the tone of the overall recovery operation. Therefore, it is absolutely critical that when defining those services, the concerned parties are mindful of the value of those services in terms of the overall effect in comparison to the desired overall recovery results. Many times a “massive” operation is geared up creating a runaway train effect when the purpose of defining required emergency services should be focused on the essential mitigation of damages in an effort to provide an opportunity to the concerned parties to make reasonable decisions under less pressure. Emergency services should be targeted on “stopping or suspending” the negative effects of the damage to the property in order to allow the appropriate time for proper scope development rather than haphazardly applying services that may or may not be necessary, and accordingly, wasting valuable time and the associated costs.
Immediate Critical Services
Immediate Critical Services – are defined as those recommended services providing an immediate initial relief in order to contain or suspend the effects of the damages sustained. Along with defining the emergency services required to mitigate the initial physical effects of the loss situation to structure and contents alike, is the delineation of services required to recover the functionality of the property. Services such as the restoration of needed utilities (either permanent or temporary), defining the appropriate safety measures to be enacted to protect personnel, and finally, addressing any other emergency issues that are specialized to the nature and function of the facility in question.
Stabilization of the Environment
Stabilization of the Environment – is critical to the overall mitigation or stabilization of the damages. In many cases, restoration of appropriate utilities, such as power and water, allow for the immediate activation of HVAC systems thereby bringing a measure of control to the interior conditions that foster further growth of micro-biological and corrosive contaminants. Further, proper emergency treatment of affected structural surfaces and content surfaces alike, can effectively mitigate or eliminate the potential need for surface removal and replacement compared to when such surfaces are not treated allowing them to suffer the additional damage caused by potentially degrading conditions.
Project Management
The specifications are set
Detailed Project Management
How do you manage the work to achieve the desired results? Do you have the time to check in with the project every day in order to stay on top of the potentially changing circumstances and conditions that is inherent in this type of work? OSVPM has available a team of highly competent project managers and field auditors who possess a unique ability to manage the work that is agreed upon to its successful time and cost conclusion.
Knowledge, Experience and Ability
Knowledge, Experience and Ability – the strength of any specialized firm lies solely in the quality and the experience of the individuals providing the service to the customer. OSVPM has well over 40 years of experience involving nearly every major institutional and commercial loss or natural disaster that has occurred over the past 40 years. OSVPM has the ability to respond to any crisis situation, anywhere in the world, to provide the same, consistent and cost-effective service required to competently managing large-scale commercial disasters.
Field Auditing Services
Field Auditing Services – are provided as a value added service to the overall project management services in order to make sure that the actual costs track appropriately to the agreed upon work, eliminating the surprises that tend to come at the point of final billing. Additionally, if the requirements of the project change for any valid reason, in conjunction with the project manager, the field auditing staff can assist in determining the appropriate incremental cost increases or decreases as the changes in the project requirements dictate.
Successful Time and Cost Conclusions
Successful Time and Cost Conclusions – are the ultimate goal of OSVPM. For truly end to end results desired for effective claim management, OSVPM provides all of the start to finish services required to eliminate the problems historically experienced during this phase of recovery operations. Using all of OSVPM’s fully integrated services, any party needing assistance in this aspect of their claim management can count on positive results in terms of successfully concluding the work within the desired time frame for the desired cost.
Reporting
Activities, conclusions and recommendations
Comprehensive reporting has always been the cornerstone to the reasonable justification of expenses as noted in the claim file. Activities, conclusions and recommendations of the representatives of OSVPM, through detailed reports, serve to document the complete progression of events surrounding the circumstances of our involvement in every commercial loss situation.
Scope & Cost analysis
Comprehensive Bid Evaluation Services
Detailed Project Management
What is the difference between a $100,000.00 bid and a $250,000.00 bid? Is it as simple as the pure difference between the numbers or is there more to it than that? When you accept a “not to exceed” bid, are there loopholes that allow the contractor to escape the pricing parameters quoted? OSVPM offers comprehensive bid evaluation services so you can reach a comfort zone that the services you are “buying” are inclusive of all the related costs necessary to achieve the desired results.
Negotiating Contract Rates and Terms
Negotiating Contract Rates and Terms – different providers have different overhead cost structures and hence different rates for service when operating on a time and material basis. Which rates are consistent with industry standards and which rates are usury is determined by initially evaluating the schedule of rates provided by the contractor? Negotiating rates in an effort to ensure compliance with industry standards, and further, negotiating contract terms with the provider assures the concerned parties of obtaining the best value for the costs expended.