Did you Know, we spend about 50-62% of our waking time at home. And if you’re going to spend half your time at Home, it better Look Great.

Cory Meister

Founder, Am-Cat.com

ABOUT AMERICAN CATASTROPHE RESTORATION

When disaster strikes, you get one chance to make sure repairs are done right. The emotional state following a House Fire or Flood is devastating, overwhelming and there is a feeling of helplessness.

It is tough to be prepared for something that you never saw coming. “Where do I begin?” “Who do I call?” “What should I do?” These are common questions that our clients usually start with. That is where American Catastrophe Restoration (Am-cat Restoration) comes in to help.

We take on the burden of reconstructing your home back to its original condition, allowing you to handle your today to day operation as we rebuild you back to whole.

FIRE DAMAGE

Am-cat Restoration is also fully equipped to handle all aspects of structural reconstruction of a fire damaged building. One of the big challenges for a remediation and restoration company is to ensure a highly skilled recovery effort that can be completed in a timely manner and within the approved budget.

Reconstruction is a critical component of the process, and the more that can be accomplished under a single umbrella, the more successful the final outcome, in an effort to provide more comprehensive reconstruction services. Regardless of the circumstances that started the fire, our professionals are trained to remediate a fire loss, restore the property, and its contents as quickly as possible with minimum disruption. Am-cat Restoration is prepared to handle the water and ensuing moisture that lingers after a fire is put out. Depending on the condition of the building after a fire, (if it is safe to do so) a thorough dry down of the area will be initiated to prevent mold and mildew growth and prepare for the next step of the fire remediation and restoration.

After the fire loss is assigned to a project manager and preliminary walkthroughs with Home / Business owner are scheduled, that project manager surveys the job with the building / home owner and insurance company representative. Generally, after permits are pulled all guild lines are followed through the city’s building codes, and upon approval of the agreed work to perform, all tradesmen schedules to start roughing in, such as Framing, HVAC, Plumbing and Electrical and if cabinets need to be customized, the old cabinets are measured to determine sizes before being fabricated. A 3D image will be modified for kitchens and bathrooms based on measurements.

With commercial and some residential buildings, engineers are recommended to address structural issues and to put together engineering plans. The engineering plans will also show code change requirements. For instance, extra smoke detectors. This initial process of setting up plans for city approval, can take anywhere from 2 to 4 weeks to complete.

Am-cat Restoration will handle the process of meeting with the engineer, and then bring plans along with associated articles to the city planning and building departments for approval. Most cities require 2-3 weeks to review plans before approving them. After reviewing the proposed plans, the city will either release them as approved and issue a permit or release them for corrections, at which point the engineer will make the necessary changes and resubmit the plans for approval. After the plans are approved, the appropriate fees for the required inspections, such as, building,

electrical, plumbing and HVAC. The approved plans along with permit card will then be picked up. Depending on what type of repairs your structural damages require, Am-cat Restoration will call in all inspections in to the city. Each item will need proper notification of inspections through the city building department. With the approved signatures on the associated permit, the project manager can continue with the Am-cat Restoration project time line, by performing his scheduled walk through with the owner and keeping the projected start and completion time on schedule.

A large fire typically requires more walkthroughs and material selections with the owner as the job progresses, therefore lengthening project time to completion. If large beams are required, it will usually take a week to get them delivered, but if roof trusses are involved, it usually takes two weeks for them to be fabricated and delivered to the jobsite. Depending on the weather and the nature of job, demolition work may be delayed until assurance of a delivery date for the beams are confirmed, so they can coordinate timely removal and replacement. Also, if large beams are being installed, the project manager will plan ahead to have the correct heavy lifting equipment onsite, such as a crane, at the same time the materials arrive. All these considerations must be made for the job to be completed in a correct and timely manner and avoid unnecessary delays. As with reconstruction after a water loss, there is a final walkthrough with the owner to sign off and approve all work that has been done.

TEAM AM-CATS IS CERTIFIED & TRAINED

PROCESS MY INSURANCE CLAIM

Multiple tests with over 600 questioned that a score of 70% or more is required to become a Project lead, with a lot of moving parts involved with restoration / construction rehab from dealing with sub-contractors to city officials and inspectors, vendors to searching and delivering material, and scheduling the sub-contractors based off the phase where repairs are in, knowing when the weather is going to effect the job site, protecting the job site, all these items need to be accounted for before are project leads can even start to work. Test your Project Lead skills by taking the short test below.

Created on May 06, 2022 By

amcat

Techniques In How Am-Cat Handles Your Claim

Am-Cat's Restoration Project Leads are Am-Cat Certifed To Handle All Aspects Of The Phases Of Construction.

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Q. How do I fix small fire damage in an attic in a Home?

A. Removal of all contents in the attic.

B. If High-Pressure, remove all insulation.

C. Application of a smoke odor counteractant to the structural material.

D. If High-Pressure, clean off heavy soot using a dry-cleaning sponge.

E. All The Above.

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Q. How long does it take to rebuild a house?

A. In general, smaller whole house remodels will take somewhere around 7 to 10 months to complete from discovery to the end of construction, if all goes well. Larger whole house remodels will typically take around 9 to 15 months; longer if there are issues with city permits or other unforeseen delays.

B. If your house has been damaged rather than destroyed in the fire, it will need professional fire damage cleanup. Not only will direct damage from the fire need to be repaired or replaced, but heat, smoke, and soot can cause damage to your home and your possessions.

C. Depending on the square footage, the average cost to gut and remodel a house can be anywhere between $100,000 – $350,000⁴. Gut renovation cost per square foot ranges between $60 – $205 and includes new plumbing, appliances, structural improvements, a new roof and an HVAC.

D. 2015 study by the National Association of Homebuilders found the average construction cost per square foot to be $105. By that metric, rebuilding the average home would cost about $280,000.

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Q. Is it cheaper to rebuild or renovate?

A. Knock-down rebuild has the benefit of allowing the householder to remain in the same location while enjoying the benefits of a new home,” he says. ... If you love your current suburb but want to live in a brand-new home, a knock down rebuild project may be the best option.

B. The average new home building process takes approximately seven to eight months, per the US Census Bureau. This timeframe includes finalizing plans and obtaining permits, the actual construction of the home, and the final walkthrough.

C. 2015 study by the National Association of Homebuilders found the average construction cost per square foot to be $105. By that metric, rebuilding the average home would cost about $280,000

D. When considering the possibility of a whole home remodel, part of the process is deciding whether you should invest in your current space or build a new home with the features you want. Long story short, it's almost always cheaper to renovate inside your existing home than rebuilding.

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Q. What are the stages of a house being built?

A. Stage 1: Site preparation & foundation pour.

B. Stage 2: Rough framing.

C. Stage 3: Rough plumbing, electrical, & HVAC.

D. Stage 4: Insulation.

E. Stage 5: Drywall, interior primer finishes & begin finishes

F. Stage 6: Finish interior trim; install exterior driveways & walkways.

G. All The Above.

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Q. How long does each stage of building a house take?

A. 2015 study by the National Association of Homebuilders found the average construction cost per square foot to be $105. By that metric, rebuilding the average home would cost about $280,000.

B. The slab or base stage: 1-3 weeks. Schedule city inspection 2-6 weeks Frame stage: 3-5 weeks. Schedule city inspection 2-6 weeks Mechanical stage: 2 weeks per trade. Schedule city inspection 2-6 weeks Close -up install all fixtures per trade stage: 4-8 weeks, Schedule city inspection 2-6 weeks Finishing stage 2-4 weeks, Punch list 2 weeks.

C. The slab or base stage: 1-3 months. Schedule city inspection 2-6 months Frame stage: 3-5 months. Schedule city inspection 2-6 months Mechanical stage: 2 months per trade. Schedule city inspection 2-6 months Close -up install all fixtures per trade stage: 4-8 months, Schedule city inspection 2-6 months Finishing stage 2-4 months, Punch list 2 months.

D. The cost to demolish a house per square foot ranges anywhere from $2 to $17 per square foot, with an average between $4 and $15. For a complete teardown of a 1,500-square-foot home, rates can range from $3,000 in a rural area to $18,000 in a densely populated city.

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Q. How much does it cost to completely rebuild a house?

A. The average cost to demolish a house is $6,000 to $25,000. The average cost to tear down and rebuild a house is $125,000 to $450,000. Knocking down and removing a mobile home costs $2,000 to $5,000

B. Professionals can complete smaller fire repairs in a day or two, but extensive repairs can take up to several months. The size of the fire and affected household areas will determine your concrete timeline.

C. The average cost to completely renovate a house is $15,000 – $350,0004. Depending on the characteristics of the build, the price can change drastically. The final price tag typically depends on any structural or mechanical repairs, square footage, underlying issues, location, and materials used.

D. You can't demolish your house with an existing mortgage because one, you can't use a house that has been demolished as collateral anymore on a construction mortgage. So, you need to pay the first payment of the mortgage and you can acquire a construction mortgage.

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Q. Can you reuse a foundation after a fire?

A. 2015 study by the National Association of Homebuilders found the average construction cost per square foot to be $105. By that metric, rebuilding the average home would cost about $280,000.

B. Concrete structures are more likely to remain standing through fire than are structures of other materials. Unlike wood, concrete does not burn. Unlike steel, it does not soften and bend.

C. Existing footings, slabs, and foundation systems in fire-destroyed buildings are typically compromised and are not permitted to be re-used. ... A fire can generate enough heat to damage and weaken the concrete and steel reinforcement bars in footings, slabs, and footing stem walls.

D. Commercially, fireproof concrete is made by mixing a product known as fly ash, a by-product of the production of Portland cement. You can make your own fireproof concrete with materials available at home improvement stores.

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Q. What does insurance cover if your house burns down?

A. Professionals can complete smaller fire repairs in a day or two, but extensive repairs can take up to several months. The size of the fire and affected household areas will determine your concrete timeline.

B. Drywall repair costs $50 to $100 per square foot for small jobs and fixes. Drywall contractors charge minimum trip fees of $125 to $200.

C. Your homeowner's insurance will likely cover items destroyed in a house fire. If you have a replacement cost policy, you'll receive the actual cash value of your damaged items at the time of settlement [Replacement Cost – Depreciation = Actual Cash Value].

D. Depending on the square footage, the average cost to gut and remodel a house can be anywhere between $100,000 – $350,000⁴. Gut renovation cost per square foot ranges between $60 – $205 and includes new plumbing, appliances, structural improvements, a new roof and an HVAC.

10 / 20

Q. What does a general contractor project manager do?

A. Monthly Rate $10,000.00

B. Weekly Rate $2,500.00

C. Bi-Weekly Rate $5,000.00

D. Daily Rate $500.00

E. All The Above

11 / 20

Q. What are items of overhead?

A. Property tax.

B. Business insurance.

C. Interest on mortgage payments.

D. Regular janitorial services

E. Web hosting.

F. Bookkeeping services.

G. PO box rental.

H. Phone plan.

I. All The Above

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Q. What are the essential qualifications of a contractor?

A. Contractor should have experience in providing services for a minimum of three years in the respective field. Details of company information with organization structure, list of manpower with the connections of key personnel vetted subcontractors.

B. Successful contractors have in common, servant leadership, positive work environment, attracting and retaining the best people, strategic business planning, effective business development practices, diversified and profitable mix of work, operational strength, proper capitalization.

C. Qualifications and Assumptions means, following Owner Parties' approval, Design- Builder's written statement of qualifications to, exceptions to, and assumptions in, a Pricing Amendment, all based upon the applicable Pricing Amendment Documents and the applicable Design Professional's Statement of completed Drawings.

D. All The Above.

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Q. What is the difference between a contractor and a consultant?

A. Consulting or freelancing as an independent contractor has benefits and drawbacks. Freelancers and consultants are known as "independent contractors" in legal terms. An independent contractor (IC) is a person who contracts to perform services for others without having the legal status of an employee.

B. A consultant is usually recognized as a person who possesses the expertise and special knowledge. In return for a fee, their job is to use their knowledge and provide a specialist service. Consultants mostly work in an advisory capacity and usually, they will just come up with a solution or advice.

C. Generally, a consultant is a self-employed independent businessperson who has a special field of expertise or skill. On the other hand, a Contractor is a self-employed independent businessperson who agrees (contracts) to do work for another usually for a fixed price.

D. There is a general rule of thumb to apply when distinguishing between subcontractors and consultants. A subcontractor is hired to perform a part of the prime contractor's statement of work. Consultants are not usually hired for a specific contract.

E. All The Above.

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Q. How Much Do Project Manager Jobs Pay per Hour?

A. Veteran Professional, Annual Salary $136,305.00 Hourly Wage $65

B. Professional, Annual Salary $94,365.00 Hourly Wage $45

C. Average, Annual Salary $73,395.00 Hourly Wage $35

D. Beginner, Annual Salary $37,746.00 Hourly Wage $18

E. All The Above

15 / 20

Q. What is included in contractor overhead?

A. Overhead is the cost of running a business. In construction, overhead typically includes the cost of subcontractors, machinery, equipment, insurances, office staff, office supplies, vehicles, and other costs.

B. Revenue is commonly referred to as sales. But revenue is any income a company generates before expenses are subtracted while sales are what the firm earns from selling goods and services to its customers.

C. Revenue sits at the top of a company's income statement, making it the top line. Profit, on the other hand, is referred to as the bottom line. Profit is lower than revenue because expenses and liabilities are deducted.

D. Some suppliers have a scale, with deeper discounts for the contractors that do a big volume of business. Discounts vary greatly, but a 10 percent discount on lumber and millwork is common, while with lighting fixtures the savings are often much higher.

16 / 20

Q. What is the difference between a general contractor and a project manager?

A. A project manager typically manages the Construction Manager and/or the General Contractor on behalf of the client. General Contractors are chosen through a bidding process by the client and are involved during construction and in the daily direction and operation of projects.

B. Do these “Construction Managers” need a license of any kind to perform such work? ... On private jobs done on private property the answer is “no”, provided that the construction manager does not contract to perform, hire others to perform, or perform itself any actual construction work.

C. The main construction project manager responsibilities are overall project planning, distributing resources, time management, risk management, creating benchmarks, managing the budget, managing staff, and managing relationships

D. All The Above.

17 / 20

Q. How much does a project manager charge for a construction project?

A. Fee means a fee or other remuneration for acting as general contractor and/or construction manager to construct improvements, supervise and coordinate projects or to provide major repairs or rehabilitation on a property.

B. A junior project manager might charge $43 per hour for their services and a senior project manager may charge $65 or more per hour for their services. Their hourly rates will depend on the amount of time spent on a project, but in general, expect to pay at least one day's wages for any job that needs to be done

C. For projects from $0 – $500,000, the project management fee totals 5%-10%. So, for a $100,000 project, you would expect to pay the project manager $5,000.00-$10,000.00. As the cost of the project goes up, the percentage-based fee decreases.

D. All The Above.

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Q. How much are Construction Management Fees?

A. Construction Management Fee means a fee or other remuneration for acting as general contractor and/or construction manager to construct improvements, supervise and coordinate projects or to provide major repairs or rehabilitation on a property.

B. Hiring a construction manager costs an average of $24,819, or between $3,142 and $49,707. Their fee makes up 5% to 15% of the project total, though this percentage decreases for larger projects.

C. The project manager's charges will typically amount to about 10 percent of the engineering budget, and your contractor will charge a 10 and 10, 10 % for the overhead and 10% for the profit, totaling a 20%.

D. All The Above.

19 / 20

Q. Can a general contractor be a project manager?

A. So, while both carry a responsibility to coordinate between different entities underneath them, general contractors and project managers operate at different levels in the construction management process. In some construction projects, general contractors serve in a project management role

B. Project Managers are usually persons hired by an owner of a construction project to supervise and oversee as well as consult for the owner on the organization and implementation of a construction project.

C. The key difference between a General Contractor (GC) and a Construction Manager (CM) is that a GC will be a business entity, and a CM will be an individual. ... While both are important to a successful construction project, it's easiest to understand the differentiations by taking a look at each role.

D. All The Above.

20 / 20

Q. What is a general contractor for construction?

A. Typically, the General Contractor is the individual or company that manages all aspects of the day-to-day activities at the jobsite. They are in charge of actually building the building. General Contractors have their own employees who typically fill the roles of project manager and Construction Superintendent.

B. The manager for any building or renovation project, of the carpenter, electrician, drywaller, plastering, painter, wallpaper Installer, heating, and Air-Conditioning (HVAC), etc.

C. Is responsible for planning, leading, executing, supervising, and inspecting a building construction project. The responsibility extends from the beginning to the end of the project, regardless of its scope.

D. All The Above.

Your score is

The average score is 55%

Process My Claim

The 1^st Action In assisting you with your Claim is to Review and understand your Policy, and the 2^nd is to review if your policy is written either as a Replacement Cost and or an Actual Cash Value: Replacement cost policies provides you with the dollar amount needed to replace a damaged item with one of a similar kind and quality without deducting for depreciation (the decrease in value due to age, wear and tear, and other factors). Actual cash value policies pay the amount needed to replace the item minus depreciation. While Am-Cats is reviewing your police, we schedule a technical write up, a line-by-line estimate of the compromised items that are damaged due to the cause of the active peril as soon as you retain us to handle all structural repairs and process your loss.

OUR VENDOR STRATEGY

We have a vendor program that we use in sourcing and researching and obtaining are preferred vendors to establish a relationship in are client base where they execute their services with management, performance and client responsibility as an priority. Are effective vendor management strategy requiring instant response time, restoration skills sets, resources, and experience due to each loss’s complexity. We realize are clients experience is based off the election of are preferred vendors, we choose in handling the services of need.

Building strategic business strategy is key when establishing relationships with are vendors by Communicate specific needs to each of our Vendors. we insure each of our preferred vendors are committed with passion in the services they provide, accountable and reliable with great detail when servicing our client base. We also do a full interview of each of are vendors on site of their business operations location in assuring the operation process meets all industry standards and is properly licensed and certified through associated industry standards and meets all requirements. If interested in being a part of the Am-Cats Team, please free in filling out the form below to assisting our client base in the Insurance Loss Service Industry.

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