September is National Preparedness Month

Jordan Steib • September 7, 2022

September is designated as National Preparedness Month by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. We have said it before and we will say it again. There is no time like the present to prepare your business and home for disaster.


Like we have also previously mentioned, the 2022 Hurricane Season has been relatively calm so far. However, it currently seems to be picking up with several named storms in the Atlantic, as well as one named storm in the Pacific. 


Guarantee Restoration Services has been the leading property damage restoration company along the Gulf Coast since our inception in 1974. Part of being a leader is employing the newest most advanced technologies available to service our partners in need. 


While our team is available when you need us most, what if we were there before you needed us? That’s where our pre-loss planning services come in. First, there is the Matterport™ imaging system. In addition, we use Ready Action Plan (RAP) through our partners at Restoration Affiliates. Below, we will explain how these capabilities work.


Before flash flooding, fire or hurricanes occur, it is vital to document your business or home. If you have property damage, this alleviates the claims process. If the pre-loss condition of your is properly documented, it eliminates any question of what condition equipment or other contents was in prior to a loss.


No matter the size of the loss, our team at GRS has one goal – to get your property and business back to normal operations ASAP. On the other hand, your insurance adjuster’s focus is to submit your claim correctly to make sure they meet the expectations of their insurance policies. Our solution to this is Matterport™!


How Matterport™ Works

The Matterport™ 3D Imaging System uses lasers to calculate the size and scope of your commercial building or home. One of our HDR, panoramic cameras captures every element of your property for pre-loss state. A GRS team member starts at the front of the building or home. From there, we move throughout the space, only three to six feet at a time. 


To put its capabilities into perspective, a 2,000 square foot home would take about 30 minutes to scan. On the other hand, a larger commercial building can take anywhere from 2-3 hours to complete. After the scan is finished, they are uploaded to the cloud on Matterport’s safe and secure sever. You can access the scans from any device and at any time. You can see the scan in three different views: Doll House, Inside and Floor Plan. 


Finally, here are some the key benefits of using Matterport™: 

  • 3D Scanning allows remote insurance professionals the ability to better understand the damage with a 360-degree, panoramic capture of the loss.
  • The “Mattertags” in the system allow remote, real-time information on equipment and site conditions to those who need accurate information on the status of a job speedily.
  • This technology delivers faster reporting on job progress, which keeps you aware of progress. 
  • Provides accurate room measurements to within 1% margin of error, so our technicians and project managers can utilize the right tools and materials from the beginning.
  • Ability to print high definition photos to fully capture the details in each room.


Ready Action Plan™ with Restoration Affiliates

Our team uses this Matterport™ technology in combination with our Ready Action Plan™ (RAP) web application. We have partnered with Restoration Affiliates to create a straightforward and user-friendly technology resolution. It is an effective way to have all of your property and content assets documented and better maintained for any future damage or emergencies. 


For more information on how Matterport™ and RAP can assist in fully restoring business or home, give Guarantee Restoration a call today at 1-800-349-HELP (4357) or email info@247GRS.com.


Developing an EAP

To conclude, while we encourage you to look at our Matterport™ and RAP technologies, there is also something you should do for your business. Prior to a disaster happens, you should implement an Emergency Action Plan, or EAP. These plans are essential to ensure employee safety from fire, water and other property emergencies. You can find many EAP templates online. Make sure you ask for input from your employees and management team. They may have insight into adding something you did not think of. If you have multiple branches or offices, each location should have its own emergency action plan.


Your businesses’ emergency action plan should at least have some or all of the following ideas: 

  • A chosen method for reporting fire, water damage or other emergencies.
  • A standardized evacuation policy and procedure.
  • Emergency escape procedures and route assignments (for different departments or office areas), such as floor plans, workplace maps, and clearly identified safe areas.
  • Names, titles, departments and telephone numbers of individuals both within and outside your company to contact for additional information or explanation of duties and responsibilities.
  • Procedures for employees who must remain present to perform or shut down critical plant operations, operate fire extinguishers, or perform other essential services that cannot be shut down for every emergency alarm prior to evacuating.
  • Rescue and medical duties for any workers designated to perform them.


It is extremely imperative to have an EAP created ahead of time. Oftentimes, an unclear evacuation can result in misunderstanding, injury and additional property damage.


While we can’t stop natural disasters from occurring, we can prepare ourselves for the worst. National Preparedness Month was initiated to bring awareness of the importance of disaster preparation. Our team at Guarantee Restoration Services has many individuals who are trained in Matterport™ and RAP, but we can also give you suggestions on formalizing an EAP. As always, please remember, our team is available 24/7, which is not just a number, it’s a GUARANTEE.


www.GuaranteeRestoration.com

The Dangers of Hidden Water Damage in Commercial Properties

By Adrianne Hungerford • June 3, 2026
Hidden moisture can damage commercial buildings long before it's visible. Learn the risks, warning signs, and importance of professional mitigation.

Why Pre-Loss Planning Matters for Lafayette Properties on the Gulf Coast

By Jeremy Cryer • May 27, 2026
On the Gulf Coast, preparation isn’t optional. It’s simply a part of doing business. From hurricane season to heavy rain events and everything in between, properties in Lafayette face a different level of risk than most. And when something does happen, the difference between a smooth recovery and a stressful situation often comes down to one thing: having a plan in place with the right team. Why Pre-Loss Planning Looks Different in Lafayette Pre-loss planning looks a little different here because the risks are different. It’s not just about knowing where your shutoffs are or having a list of contacts. It’s about understanding how quickly a storm can shift, how water can move through a property, and how to respond when multiple buildings or locations are impacted at once. That kind of preparation requires more than a template. It requires local knowledge. At Guarantee Restoration Services, our Lafayette team builds pre-loss plans with that in mind. We take into account the specific challenges that come with properties in Acadiana, including wind-driven rain, tornado threats, and the potential for widespread damage across an entire area. That allows us to create a plan that is realistic, not just theoretical. The Importance of Having a Clear Path Forward “We’ve seen how quickly things can escalate during a storm event. Having a pre-loss plan in place gives our clients a clear path forward instead of trying to figure it out in the middle of the chaos,” said Craig Rose, Mitigation Manager at our Lafayette Branch. That “clear path forward” is what makes the biggest difference. When a storm hits, response times are everything, but so is access. Roads can be blocked, power can be out, and communication can be limited. A strong pre-loss plan accounts for those variables and ensures that response efforts can begin as soon as it is safe to do so. Protecting Operations, Employees, and Tenants It also helps property teams stay focused on what matters most. Instead of trying to coordinate vendors, track down information, or make high-pressure decisions, they can follow a plan that has already been built around their property and their priorities. From a business standpoint, that level of preparation protects more than just the building. It protects operations, tenants, employees, and timelines. Building Trust Before Disaster Strikes “Pre-loss planning is about building trust before there’s ever a problem. Our clients know who to call, what to expect, and how we’re going to support them when something happens,” said Paige Hebert, Business Development Representative in Lafayette. That trust and familiarity matter, especially in a region where large-scale events can impact entire communities at once. You are not just calling a company, you are calling a team that already understands your property, your risks, and your expectations. Be Realistic. Be Ready. Pre-loss planning on the Gulf Coast is not about over-preparing. It is about being realistic and ready. Because when the next storm comes through Lafayette, it is not a matter of if you will need a plan—it is a matter of how well that plan works when it is put to the test. Call us today to schedule your Pre-Loss Planning meeting where 24/7 is not just a number… it’s a GUARANTEE!

How to Respond to Property Damage in the First 24 Hours

By Shawn Folks • May 20, 2026
When a disaster strikes and a loss happens, the clock starts immediately. The first 24 hours after a storm event or a fire loss are the most critical for any property. It is at this time that major decisions need to be made, the damage is either controlled or spreads, and the path to recovery is determined. These decisions are often rushed, unclear, and reactive without a plan in place. This is where having a pre-loss plan makes a measurable and meaningful difference. A pre-loss plan creates a clear starting point for you and your team instead of scrambling to figure out who to call, what steps to take, or how to protect the property. It removes reactive hesitation and replaces it with action to recover. Everyone involved knows their role and understands the process, allowing them to move quickly without second guessing. Speed matters in restoration. Water continues to spread; materials continue to deteriorate, and secondary damage, like mold, can begin in as little as 24 to 48 hours. The faster a response is initiated, the more damage can be contained. Pre-loss planning allows that response to begin immediately, not hours or days later. Other than fast action, it also brings clarity during a very chaotic and challenging moment. Property managers, facility teams, and business owners are not left out in the dark trying to make high-pressure decisions on the spot. Instead, they are following a plan that has already been thoroughly thought through, discussed, and tailored to their specific property’s needs. Communication can become fragmented without a plan. Another advantage to pre-loss planning is coordination. There are several moving parts including emergency services, restoration teams, and insurance carriers. Having a plan streamlines communication ensuring that everyone involved is aligned from the start. At Guarantee Restoration Services, pre-loss planning is designed to support the exact moment the dust settles. It’s not just about preparing documents to sign ahead of time; it’s about setting up our partners and clients to respond with confidence when it matters the most. From established points of contact to documented site conditions and response protocols, everything is built to protect time, reduce damage, and maintain control.  Many people think preparation is about preventing the worst from happening. Rather, it is about being ready when it happens. Because when those first 24 hours hit, you do not want to be figuring things out. You want to be executing a well-formulated, personalized plan for recovery. Call us today...where 24/7 isn’t just a number, it’s a GUARANTEE!
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