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Fire & Water - Cleanup & Restoration

Archived Why SERVPRO Blog Posts

Working with Dorchester Habitat for Humanity and the ReStore

1/16/2024 (Permalink)

Working with Habitat and the Stingrays Working hard with Habitat for Humanity and the South Carolina Stingrays.

The past few weeks have been filled with wonderful experiences helping our beloved community.  Our team at SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston and Dorchester County had the profound opportunity to work with Dorchester Habitat for Humanity, and the South Carolina Stingrays hockey team on a recent build in Summerville, SC.   We got to send some of our staff to work on a new home build for the Dorchester Habitat for Humanity and were able to spend our day giving back to the community and building hope for a couple families. 

The day was spent working with the Habitat for Humanity construction manager as he showed us and the Stingrays hockey players and staff which jobs we would be performing, and what tools we would be using.  He paired us each up and sent us around the two homes being worked on to help with the building process.  From setting new window sills and baseboards, to shoring up the rafters and roof, there was a lot of jobs to be worked on, even painting and finishing up some of the more completed rooms.  There is so much opportunity to volunteer for Habitat for Humanity and their ReStore in Summerville. 

As a leading restoration company in our area we are used to having to help people get back into their homes after they have faced unwanted disaster, so we know well the importance of home building and preservation.  But it was something entirely different to be able to volunteer on building someone’s very first home knowing that it’s going to such a great cause for the community, where people may not be able to afford a home of their own.  It was quite humbling to give back in such a way, and utilize some of our team’s skillset in doing so.  We definitely plan to help build in the future on their next project homes.

The whole experience was rounded out with our SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston and Dorchester County also being able to make a donation on behalf of Dorchester’s Habitat for Humanity on the special Country Carolina Night at the January 6th South Carolina Stingrays game.  We were able to showcase the great work Dorchester Habitat for Humanity does for our entire community.  It was a fun night of friends, hockey, and community support that provided memories for years to come.  Thank you to the South Carolina Stingrays, and the Dorchester Habitat for Humanity staff, for enjoying such a special night, and overall experience, with our team and work family. 

Customer Service Is Where Great Reviews Start

1/5/2023 (Permalink)

Frustrated customer. It's not easy dealing with disaster. Call the company that cares about your property, and you.

One of the things about SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston & Dorchester County that sets us apart from other restoration companies is our focus on customer service.  Our SERVPRO is independently owned and operated by local residents of our Charleston community Brandon and Liz Ferm.  When they opened the business they wanted to stand out, and provide a service that people would truly remember and refer to others, with Brandon’s previous experience in hospitality, the answer was high quality customer service.

In all service based industries customer service is what people will truly remember about your business.  People care about how they are treated, and we understand that it is as important as the hard work our production team does.  We emphasize with our team and staff to always be courteous and kind to the people we talk with.  Kindness can go a long way to make someone feel comfortable and trusting in the work you are about to do in their property.

Typically, our customers are under duress when they speak with us, they are dealing with a disaster that has impacted their lives and property, and that is a very stressful situation to be in.  We work to be empathetic and understanding to their concerns and the emotions that are surely running high.  We feel it is important to assure the customer by walking them through the process slowly and calmly.  Being gracious and kind in these scenarios truly help the customer feel comfortable.  Explaining what we will be doing to the customer’s property in detail really helps the customer feel more in control.

When disaster strikes the team at SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston & Dorchester County are not just great at taking care of your property, they are also great at taking care of you.  We pride ourselves on our hospitality background and our focus on customer service, we feel it defines our business in a way that separates us from the pack.  We want people to know we care about their property but we also care about their feelings. 

The best results are not just knowing that we fixed and cleaned a property but knowing that we left a customer truly satisfied.  If you have damage to your home or property and need a restoration company, call the one that cares – 843.552.1226

Critical Response - 24/7 Emergency Water Removal

8/15/2022 (Permalink)

A SERVPRO team member is waiting for your call. When you are in an emergency we want you to speak to a valuable member of our team to start the critical response from the very first call.

When you are struggling with a disaster like a bad leak or a flood that has caused your property to experience standing water we understand what it means to be available to help.  Here at SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston and Dorchester County we provide a 24/7 Emergency Water Removal service and we want to make sure that you are speaking with one of our personnel every time you call. 

It's important to us to know that we are providing the best care possible when a customer is experiencing an emergency where your home or business is flooded and the race against time, and water damage, has begun.  Our care starts with making sure when you call our business that you are speaking with an actual member of our team.  Sometimes you may find that businesses provide a 24/7 service but when you call them you are speaking with an answering service and not an actual employee of the company.  We make sure that your experience with us is personable and thoughtful from the very beginning.

Our water removal is a critical service but here are a couple tips to be aware of before you make that call to have us come out to extract water:

Stop the Leak – Is the water still coming into your home, has the leak not been stopped?  You will want to make sure the source of the flood and standing water is stopped before having us come out to extract.  You will either need to have a plumber come out to fix the issue, or you will need to try to stop it yourself. 

Start a Claim – If you are experiencing a flood and have standing water, you will want to notify your homeowner’s insurance or property insurance company of the issue and start a claim.  They will provide you with a claim #.  You will want to have that insurance information handy when you call SERVPRO.  It makes your life easier.  We can work directly with your insurance company and you avoid being charged our emergency response fee. 

And for those times where you just aren’t sure what to do, call us.  That’s why we provide a live 24/7 phone service where one of our team members will help you through your emergency, providing you with the proper information and getting a team dispatched to your address. 

We truly believe in a critical response that starts as soon as you call us.  That’s why we don’t outsource our phone service and you can always speak with a SERVPRO team member who works here when you call.  Always keep our number handy, in times of emergency you will be glad you did, 843-552-1226. 

When Every Dollar Counts

7/21/2022 (Permalink)

Two SERVPRO Technicians pack up a cabinet. Our SERVPRO Technicians take great care with your belongings and contents after you have experienced the hardships of fire and flooding.

Whether you are a business owner or a homeowner, experiencing the hardship of property damage due to fire or flooding, can be quite devastating.  Not only does is disrupt your life and business, but it also potentially damages and ruins your belongings.  That is why SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston and Dorchester County prefers the mentality of “restore” versus “replace”.

SERVPRO has the ability with its expertise in mitigation and restoration, to provide a clear path to helping you save money wherever possible.  One area where we can help is assessing whether your property and belongings needs to be replaced, or whether we can work to restore the item back like it was pre-disaster. 

Our technicians are trained to help you determine if something like a chair or couch is salvageable, where ultimately you decide if you want us to restore it back to how it was pre-disaster or have it replaced altogether.  If a belonging is not going to be covered by insurance, and will come out-of-pocket, then consider our ability to restore, and the cost savings that come with that decision.

We provide a pretest of belongings and contents to determine which can be restored, we use different methods to clean your belongings, this includes:

  • Dry Cleaning – Cleaning light residues or a pre-wipe before wet cleaning.
  • Wet Cleaning – A cleaning method used on moderate to heavy residues.
  • Spray and Wipe – Used for items that cannot withstand getting wet.
  • Abrasive Cleaning – The surface is cleaned using agitation by brush or bristle.
  • Foam Cleaning – Used when upholstery fabrics will shrink or color bleeds with wet cleaning.
  • Immersion Cleaning – Contents are cleaned via dipping into cleaning solution.

Beyond our different methods of cleaning to help the restoration process of your property contents we also have the ability to assist with move-outs and pack-outs where belongings are placed into temporary storage to protect them during property restoration and construction.

SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston & Dorchester County cares about your property, and the contents within it.  Our team has the skills and tools to help you take the appropriate steps towards getting your life and business back on track.  Whenever we can save you money and employ our “restore” versus “replace” mentality, we will.   

If you have experienced fire, water or mold damage to your property call us today for an assessment: 843-552-1226.

The Quality of Honesty

5/19/2022 (Permalink)

A customer speaks with a SERVPRO Crew Chief about service options. A customer speaks with a SERVPRO Crew Chief about service options.

We have customers call us from all over the Tri-County area, from North Charleston to Summerville and from Ladson to Moncks Corner, and we appreciate every call we get because we know our customers have options out there.   When you live in a disaster prone area that deals with hurricane season each year, you will find that there are a lot of restoration and disaster mitigation companies to choose from.  And I’m sure a lot of you out there are thinking, well how do you make the right choice? 

I could simply say, well choose us, because we are the best!  But you will still be asking why?  Well, one of the reasons we are an excellent choice to get you through any disaster is because we work to provide the highest quality workmanship through honesty.   Being up front about the fine details of a job, and the timelines required to complete them, is an important way unto which we work with our customers.  People who are dealing with disaster just want their lives back to normal, and they want that done as quickly as possible, and we absolutely understand that feeling, and need.

Here at SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston and Dorchester County we go well beyond touting the color of our vans as a reason to choose us over the competition, we choose to focus on excellent customer service that guides its customers through the reality and hardships that come with disaster restoration.  Being upfront about all the steps and time required to complete the job is very important for us to build trust with our customers. 

One of the ways we provide quality work through honesty is by doing thorough estimates that truly break down all of the steps, materials and time it will take to complete a job, and making sure all of their questions are answered about the cost and time needed to restore their home.  We also take great pride in working with insurance companies, providing support on claims to ease the burden for the customer, and then assuring the customer understands the process clearly.

It is critical to provide our customers with a clear path to restoring their property and belongings.  We want our customers to feel they are working with someone they can trust.  Honest communication provides that clear path to quality work that satisfies our standards and the customer’s expectations. 

We know that you have options out there, and we want to be the option that gives you the confidence you need to get through your disaster, one step at a time.   Call us today if you are dealing with water, fire or mold damage, we are happy to come meet you and discuss your options. 

The Quality of Respect

5/12/2022 (Permalink)

Technicians helping customers. SERVPRO technicians are always ready to help their customers.

One way that we provide superior service is in the way we treat our customers.   We always want to be improving upon the work we do across our services by learning new skills and technical abilities, but another way we enhance the experience for our customers is by assuring that we treat them with respect.  Great customer service is at the heart of what we strive for in achieving a high standard of quality reviews and customer testimonials. 

The first way we show our customers respect is by listening to them.  Here at SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston & Dorchester County we make sure our customers feel heard.  We find that many of our customers might have just experienced a traumatic event, and sometimes those events might have destroyed their home or belongings, and tragically sometimes even worst.  We understand what it means to be empathetic, and how important it can be to listen to our customers during times of crisis.  Listening also allows us to better respond to our customer’s needs and expectations. 

Another way we show respect to our customers is by always being calm, courteous and kind.  We know that under some of those circumstances where a customer is dealing with the aftermath of fire or flooding, they might be upset, sometimes even angry about the situation.  We know how important it is to be patient and to show kindness to those who have just experienced hardship.  We also live in the community to which we serve so we see our customers as neighbors as well.   A little bit of kindness can go a long way to making people feel better about their situation, and their community.

The final way we show respect for our customers is by taking great care with their home and belongings.  At SERVPRO we understand that your home maybe in a terrible state when we show up but we take a lot of pride in how we treat your belongings, and your home, even when it’s been impacted by water or fire.  The things that you value the most are the things we try to save and restore.

High quality customer service is at the core of what we do here at SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston and Dorchester County.  From the moment you call us, to the moment we show up with vacuums and fans, we are going to take good care of you, and your property. 

Call us today for an Emergency Ready Plan – 843.609.4812

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Biohazards... Did You Know?

2/25/2022 (Permalink)

room with broken blinds and blood on wall from deer The deer broke in through the window and survived, but not with out first making a mess!

Did you know that SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston and Dorchester County clean up biohazard disasters in both residential and commercial properties?  Here’s a little more info on what constitutes a bio-hazard.

What Are Biohazards?

Biohazards are dangerous organisms such as bacteria, mold, fungi, viruses, and toxins from an organic source. Biohazardous materials can exist anywhere and are a serious health risk to people when eaten, inhaled, or come into contact with skin.

Different Types of Biohazardous Waste*

  • Liquid Biohazardous Waste:  Liquid waste including blood, blood products, and any bodily fluids from humans and animals.
  • Sharp Biohazardous Waste: Instruments contaminated with biological material that are sharp enough to puncture the skin. Examples include needles, syringes, microscope slides, and broken tubes.
  • Solid Biohazardous Waste: Contaminated biohazardous materials that are not capable of breaking human skin. They include gloves, towels, and plastic ware such as pipettes and specimen vials.
  • Pathological: Animal and human body tissue, organs, and bones.

Why Choose SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston for Biohazard Cleanup?

Very few words make people as anxious as ‘biohazard.’ It conjures mental images of abandoned property, hazard tape, and people roaming around in hazmat suits.

Trained and experienced experts should handle biohazardous cleanup for public and occupational health and safety, and that is exactly what we offer.  We have trained professionals ready to answer your call 24/7 and biohazard remediation and cleanup to your home or office. Click to learn more about the biohazard services we offer.

You can reach us through the Contact Us page on our website or by calling 843-552-1226.  We are always ready and eager to help.

_____________

*For more detail visit the BWS website

What To Expect During Water Restoration

1/6/2022 (Permalink)

frequently asked questions The more you know!

SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston’s water restoration experts have the best resources and skills for water removal, cleanup, and flood damage restoration and repair. Our services include water extraction, cleanup, dry-outs, dehumidifying, flood water removal, and emergency services. We also offer sewage cleanup, damage assessments, odor removal, mold removal, tarp-over services, and structural drying.  

At SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston, our technicians are trained and certified in water disaster management and all forms of remediation. We have helped many Charleston area residents recover from different disasters in the past 16 years.

Here is a breakdown of what to expect if you were to need our services due to water loss to your home or business: 

Damage Inspection and Assessment

We dispatch a restoration professional to your home in North Charleston, Summerville or any of the neighboring areas for a property inspection and assessment of the water, fire or mold damage to be done. The inspection and assessment ensure that everything from the scope, budget, timeframe, and restoration service demands are analyzed.

Dehumidification, Water Removal, and Dry Outs

In this step, our technicians often use specialized dehumidifiers, water extraction equipment, and air movers to ensure any water or moisture that may have remained in the furniture, carpets, and on the floors is removed. Once standing water is removed and equipment is set, our crew makes daily visits to monitor and assure the materials are drying appropriately. 

Cleaning and Sanitization

Once the affected materials are dry and equipment is pulled, all areas are disinfected and cleaned as necessary.  This step often involves deodorizing and cleaning up the carpets, floors, furniture, and other important areas. The two activities are precautionary steps to prevent microbial growth and remove odors.

Reconstruction

Once the mitigation teams have completed the drying and disinfecting process, we can move on to rebuilding and restoring the damaged property.  From replacing carpet to complete rebuild, our construction services team is here to walk through the entire process with you and your insurance company. 

Here for you 24/7

SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston has friendly and professionally trained teams on call 24/7 for you in the event of an emergency in your home.  Contact us anytime at 843-552-1226 or reach out to us on our Contact Us page on our website. 

At Your Service! 24/7

8/16/2021 (Permalink)

Sign that says "open 24/7" We answer 24/7. No answering service or voicemail!

Our goal is to help minimize the interruption to your life and quickly make it "Like it never even happened." Our highly trained crew is always ready to take care of your restoration needs. We understand the stress and worry that comes with a fire or water damage and the disruption it causes your life and home or business.

SERVPRO is the cleaning and restoration brand you know and trusts serving you since 1967, we specialize in the cleanup and restoration of residential and commercial property after a fire, smoke, or water damage. Our franchises, SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston and Dorchester County, have been locally owned and serving the Lowcountry since 2006. You can rest assured our staff is equipped with the knowledge to restore your property no matter the size or type of loss. And the best part…  we have a manager answering the phones 24/7 so you never have to wait on an answering service.

Here for you, Charleston. 24/7.

Response Time is Key!

7/22/2021 (Permalink)

info graphic showing a 1, 4, 8 time line goal for every job Response time matter! We are always ready to help!

Rapid Response on EVERY call is what sets our SERVPRO franchises apart from our competitors.  While all SERVPRO franchises are independently owned and operated, we are all held to the same response time guidelines.  We are actually scored on our ability to maintain consistent response times with the 1-4-8 standard set by our corporate leadership. 

At SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston and Dorchester County, we take the 1-4-8 guideline as a challenge.  When we are notified of a loss by your insurance company, property manager, or a direct call from you, we IMMEDIATELY take steps to contact the appropriate person and make arrangements to be on site for emergency service in as little time as possible.  Highly trained and professional technicians are usually on site in less than 2 hours unless otherwise requested by the client.

We also make it a practice to contact your insurance adjuster, if possible, during the initial visit to your property in order to expedite necessary approvals for the work required to mitigate the fire or water damage and restore your home or business as quickly as possible.  We work diligently with your adjuster to be sure the scope of work falls within the parameters of your covereage with no surprises when it comes time for invoicing. 

SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston and SERVPRO of Dorchester County are proud to be part of a nationwide system that challenges us to provide expedient, quality service to our local home and business owners.

We are ready 24/7 to serve the North Charleston, Goose Creek, Moncks Corner, Summerville, Ladson, Hanahan... and all of Dorchester County.  Always just a phone call away.  843-552-1226

Did you know??

5/25/2021 (Permalink)

question mark on a chalk board Just a few facts that set's SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston apart!
  • SERVPRO was founded in 1967.
  • The Greater Northern Charleston franchise has been in business for 16 years.
  • We are the National leader and provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration services.
  • We also specialize in mold mitigation and remediation.
  • SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston is locally owned and operated and answer the phones 24/7.  No answering services!
  • A network of more than 1,700 individually owned and operated Franchises make up the SERVPRO family.
  • We are international and now have franchises in Canada.
  • We respond to property damage emergencies ranging from individual residential disasters to multi-million dollar commercial losses.
  • The SERVPRO® System has established relationships with all major insurance companies.

Most of all… We love working with our Lowcountry home and business owners!

1 Year Down... Many to go!

5/25/2021 (Permalink)

hard hats hanging on a hook We just celebratred our 1 year anniversary of offering Reconstruction!

Any restoration project, regardless of the cause of loss, has 3 phases from start to finish.  Assessment, mitigation, and reconstruction.  We have prided ourselves in offering quality services in 2 out of the 3 phases over the years, and now we are also offering reconstruction!  SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston and Dorchester County can now be your one-stop-shop to get your life or business put back in order as efficiently as possible.

Between ownership and management, there is nearly a cumulative century in experience to navigate you through the process of recovering from a fire or flood in your home or commercial space.  Here is a little about our Reconstruction management team:

  • Tom Gomolka, Reconstruction Services Manager.  Tom owned a local contracting company and has been restoring and remodeling homes for the last 10 years. Tom joined our team in 2020 and we are looking forward to the leadership he brings to the table. 
  • Beth Williams, Marketing & Construction Services Manager.  If it has to do with the real estate industry, Beth likely has experience somewhere in her resume.  Lending, property management, investment, renovations, and the last 8 years have been all things SERVPRO.  Dedicated to growing a respected and community conscious business is her goal, and we are all on board.
  • Most important, there is no list without these two: Liz and Brandon Ferm, Owners.  Liz is a 2nd generation SERVPRO franchise owner and Brandon joined the Green Truck family 14 years ago when they first bought the Greater North Charleston license.  Liz has background, not only in restoration, but in mortgage lending, processing, investment, and property and business ownership.  Before becoming one of the owners of an IICRC Certified Firm, Brandon was heavily involved in the Charleston Food & Beverage scene. From bartending to restaurant ownership to growing a multi-license SERVPRO franchise, there is little that can happen to a business that he has not experienced and managed first hand.

If you want people that know the cost of being out of business due to a disaster, this is the team to choose. Our crews are trained from day one that getting the doors back open as quickly and efficiently as possible is priority one.

Contact us any time at (843) 552-1226 or on through our website.

Golfing for Education

8/13/2020 (Permalink)

picture golf ball and information about the golf tournament Only a few spots left!

Charleston Leaders is an organization that is near a dear to our hearts.  This is where we choose to spend the majority of our volunteer time and fundraising efforts as a franchise.  The mission of Charleston Leaders is to bring local leaders, at every stage of business and growth, together to encourage greatness in each other and our city.  

The not for profit organization creates events and programs, not only to train up business leaders, but to raise funds to implement leadership programs in local schools.  The Covey Leader In Me program is a complete school platform for elementary schools.  They immerse all facets of the student's day in Franklin Covey's 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. The original book has been transformed into the 7 Habits of Happy Kids and the program is in nearly over 1000 schools across the country. It is impressive to see the growth in the student body of the schools that have embraced this program!

Our Marketing and Reconstruction Manager, Beth Williams, has been on the team that is organizing a golf tournament to raise funds for Leader In Me on August 27th at Patriot's Point Links.  We would love for you to be a part of this day! 

Visit the Golfing for Education website for more information on playing the tournament, volunteering, or sponsoring.  Also feel free to reach out to Beth via phone (843) 552-1226 or email beth@SERVPROofgnc.com if you'd like more information on Leader In Me or Charleston Leaders. 

We are always here to help and we absolutely love serving the Lowcountry!

There When You Need Us To Be.

7/21/2020 (Permalink)

Water and Flames on a black background Water. Fire. Mold. Disinfecting. We are ready. 24/7

Time becomes a precious commodity when disaster strikes. Waiting for help is stressful when your home or livelihood is on the line. Responding faster to any size disaster is more than just a slogan to us, it is an essential part of how we do business. 

Why is response time so important?

It only takes minutes for water to spread throughout your property and saturate everything in its path. The walls, the floors, upholstery, and your belongings are fast casualties of water.

During the first 24 hours:

  • Drywall will begin to break down
  • Tarnishing begins on metal surfaces
  • Furniture swells and begins to crack
  • Colors on paper and cloth begin to bleed
  • The affected area takes on a musty odor

Between 48 hours and a week:

  • Mold and mildew begin to grow
  • Doors, studs, wood flooring swell and warp
  • Metal starts to rust and become corroded
  • Paint begins to blister
  • The risk of bio-hazard contamination increases

Water damage left unchecked for over a week can lead to dramatically increased restoration time and costs, as well as impact the building’s structural safety.

How we can help:

We can set up a plan of action for you in advance of a disaster striking your business.

We can provide an immediate response which can help minimize damage and help keep restoration costs manageable.

Our professionally trained crews are available 24/7 to be dispatched to your property, day or night, with the industry's best equipment and supplies. 

We are locally owned and operated.  We know our Charleston area communities and love serving the Lowcountry.

Water. Fire. Mold. Disinfecting.  Whatever your need, we are here for you, 24/7. Need more information?  Call (843) 552-1226 or fill our our Contact Us page on the web.

Now Offering Reconstruction!

5/21/2020 (Permalink)

hard hats hanging on a wall From start to finish, we can take care of your fire, water, or mold loss.

Any restoration project, regardless of the cause of loss, has 3 phases from start to finish.  Assessment, mitigation, and reconstruction.  We have prided ourselves in offering quality services in 2 out of the 3 phases over the years, and now we are over the moon to officially announce that we are also offering reconstruction!  SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston and Dorchester County can now be your one-stop-shop to get your life or business put back in order as efficiently as possible.

Between ownership and management, there is nearly a cumulative century in experience to navigate you through the process of recovering from a fire or flood in your home or commercial space.  Here is a little about our Reconstruction management team:

  • Mark VanHaelst, Construction Coordinator & Commercial Sales Rep.  Mark has been a General Contractor and owner of Triton Construction for 30 years in the Charleston area. He has also been our “go to” for the last 8 years as a referral for our customer’s reconstruction.  We are beyond thrilled to have him in the fold and running our reconstruction projects from the inside! His extensive experience affords us the opportunity to be the only call you need to make in the face of any type of property damage.
  • Beth Williams, Marketing & Reconstruction Manager.  If it has to do with the real estate industry, Beth likely has experience somewhere in her resume.  Lending, property management, investment, renovations, and the last 8 years have been all things SERVPRO.  Dedicated to growing a respected and community conscious business is her goal, and we are all on board,
  • Most important, there is no list without these two: Liz and Brandon Ferm, Owners.  Liz is a 2nd generation SERVPRO franchise owner and Brandon joined the Green Truck family 14 years ago when they first bought the Greater North Charleston license.  Liz has background, not only in restoration, but in mortgage lending, processing, investment, and property and business ownership.  Before becoming one of the owners of an IICRC Certified Firm, Brandon was heavily involved in the Charleston Food & Beverage scene. From bartending to restaurant ownership to growing a multi-license SERVPRO franchise, there is little that can happen to a business that he has not experienced and managed first hand.

If you want people that know the cost of being out of business due to a disaster, this is the team to choose. Our crews are trained from day one that getting the doors back open as quickly and efficiently as possible is priority one. 

Contact us any time at (843) 552-1226 or on through our website.

We Can Help With Your Disinfecting Needs.

5/1/2020 (Permalink)

background with virus image with orange SERVPRO logo When you are ready, we are here to do help you get back to business.

Working remotely, retail stores closed, shortages of certain essential products, (We will not even begin discussing the TP crisis!), Charleston food and beverage fighting to stay a float, cleanest hands in history, homeschooling, all day happy hours, and the disconcerting realization that not touching your face is nearly impossible. To say the least, the last 6 weeks have been unprecedented in so many ways.   

Now that things are beginning to loosen up a bit, we wanted to let you know about the disinfecting services we have available when you are ready to consider reopening your commercial space. 

  • An Ultra-Low fogging system allows us to disperse a safe anti-microbial agent in a fine mist throughout the office. Starting at 9 cents per square foot.
  • Application of an antimicrobial agent to the touch points in your office.  Desks, doorknobs, cabinets, counter tops, sinks, light switches, etc. Starting at 25 cents per square foot.
  • Combination of both of the above processes, with increased precautions and attention to deeper cleaning details.  Starting at 75 cents per square foot. (This option is required if there is a confirmed case of COVID-19 associated with the property.)

For more information and pricing specific to your needs, please do not hesitate to call. We are here to help in any way we can. (843) 552-1226

Take care and stay safe, Charleston!

Response Time Is Our Specialty!

5/1/2020 (Permalink)

info graphic defining the 1-4-8 policies We are here 24/7, ready to respond quickly!

Rapid Response on every call is one of the things that sets SERVPRO apart from our competitors. The longer a water damage sits, unattended, the more costly and extensive the damage. 

At SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston we take the 1-4-8 guidelines pictured as a challenge!  When we are notified of a loss by your insurance company or property manager, we make sure someone stops immediately  to contact the appropriate person and make arrangements to access the site for needed emergency services.  Highly trained and professional technicians are usually on site in less than 2 hours, unless otherwise requested by the client.

We also make it a practice to contact your insurance adjuster, if at all possible, during the initial visit to your property in order to expedite necessary approvals for the work required to mitigate the fire or water damage and restore your home or business.

SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston is proud to be part of a nationwide company that challenges us to provide expedient, quality service to our local home owners and small businesses.

We are here 24/7 to serve the North Charleston and surrounding areas:  Park Circle, Goose Creek, Moncks Corner, Summerville, Ladson, Hanahan, etc.  (843) 552-1226 or contact us through our website.

We love calling the Greater Charleston area home, and are here to help any way we can. 

Small Business Resources

4/1/2020 (Permalink)

man looking at a confusing bulletin board with lots of papers Here to Help!

SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston is navigating the drastic downturn in business many of us are seeing here in the Lowcountry.  We are still open, 24/7, have all office staff working from home, and our emergency technicians are taking extra precaution as they enter people's homes and businesses to perform emergency and disinfecting services.

There is an abundance of information now available about the relief options for local business, but it can be difficult to dig through and find exactly what pertains to you.  Lowcountry Local First has done a fantastic job of compiling the information on their COVID-19 Resource and Action Page.

We are in this with you Charleston!  Stay safe and stay well!  Here to help if you need us.  843-552-1226, 24/7

Secrets of Renovation Workshop

6/19/2019 (Permalink)

Mold in the walls of this Summerville, SC home!

We were proud to be one of the local sponsors for AnnieMac’s “Secrets of Renovation… For Agents, by an Agent” Workshop at the Hilton Garden Inn - Airport this month!  Loan Officer, Ronda Tucker Hammang and Agent Liason, Alana Hopkins did a fantastic job training a room full of Lowcountry agents how to utilize AnnieMac’s renovation loan to meet the needs of their clientele.  Materials covered sales tips, benefits of instant equity,  loan terms, and target demographics… these ladies had it covered. If you are looking to buy in the Charleston area and do not have a lender or agent working with you, contact AnnieMac Charleston to get started!

At SERVPRO, we are always educating clients concerning the cost effectiveness of restoration versus replacement, so today was right up our alley.  Plus… who doesn’t like an opportunity to display gross photos of mold?

If you are in the process of renovating your home or business, and run into a mold, water, or smoke related issue, please give us a call.  We will meet you on site to assess the most effective way to resolve the issue so you don’t get behind schedule.

We are always ready to help:

SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston – (843) 552-1226

SERVPRO of Dorchester County – (843) 225-5433

IICRC Certified Firm!

6/19/2019 (Permalink)

IICRC Certified Firm!

The IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) is a non-profit organization that establishes standards and certifications for all aspects of the cleaning and restoration industry.  This includes cleaning processes and products, inspection practices, mitigation techniques, and installations.

While SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston has been around for over a decade, we have just recently purchased a second franchise license, SERVPRO of Dorchester County.  This purchase inevitably brought about some organizational changes.  We are proud to announce that the entire Ferm franchise family, as a whole, is an IICRC certified firm.

The IICRC also provides the certification requirements for our water and fire restoration technicians.  We provide only the best training for the crew members that will be working in your home or business. 

We love taking care of you, Charleston!  Call us anytime, 24/7, for your restoration needs. 843.552.1226 or use our Contact Us page on the site.  We are here to help.  

Product Spotlight: Sporicidin

5/1/2019 (Permalink)

Sporicidin Fresh ~ Safe and effective.

A water damage can cause affected areas to grow dangerous mold, mildew or bacteria. After a water loss in your home or business, we assess damage, remove unsalvageable materials, and then dry out the rest. These steps are well known of the restoration process.  At SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston, we take care of both what you can and CANNOT see.  Before the drying starts, we treat all affected and surrounding areas with an anti-microbial in order to discourage potential mold growth.  

Our anti-microbial of choice is Sporicidin Fresh.  Per it's official Safety Data Sheet, "Sporicidin® Disinfectant Solution is an EPA registered and OSHA compliant, alcohol and bleach free disinfectant cleaner. It is ideal for cleaning, restoration and indoor air quality applications, such as mold, water, fire, and sewage remediation, trauma clean up, misting and dust suppression." 

In addition to Sporicidin's cocktail of active ingredients being "effective against viruses, bacteria, fungus and TB, this product is also rated by the EPA as Category III (Low Toxicity) for eye irritation and Category IV (Very Low Toxicity) for acute oral, acute dermal, acute inhalation, and skin irritation exposure studies."

We seek out products that are, not only highly effective, but safe for your family or employees.  We are here for you 24/7, Charleston!  843.552.1226.

2019 North Charleston Business Expo

5/1/2019 (Permalink)

May 15, Booth 420.. .Come see us for a chance to win!

What do you get when you mix Charleston RiverDogs, SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston, and the North Charleston Business Expo?  Well... you might just have to show up to find out!   

We will be out at the Expo on May 15th, in booth 420.  Some of SERVPRO's finest will be on site all day to chat with you about how we can help if your family or business is impacted by a fire, water, or mold situation.  

Oh...and did we mention prizes??

Yes, there will be prizes, and if you've got a good pitching arm, you definitely want to stop by! Riverdogs season is upon us, here in the Lowcountry, and we plan on celebrating with some 7th inning stretch goodies!  Ok... and maybe a grand prize for you and 9 of your friends. 

See you there!  

Our Fearless Leader!

4/29/2019 (Permalink)

Production Manager, Allison Elliott, getting a little dirty with some on the job training!

Once a hero, always a hero!  Allison Elliott, our Production Manager,  was onsite at this Johns Island, SC home after there crawlspace was affected by a water damage.  We had a couple new technicians on site, so Allison gave them a bit of on the job training on accessing and maneuvering a crawlspace.  Everyone on our crew is always ready to do what it takes to help you get your home back in order.  Within just a day or two we had the issues in this crawlspace resolved and we were happy to do our part in getting the homeowners on the way to full restoration of property.  If you are having an issue in your crawlspace, please do not hesitate to call!  Hero Ready, 24/7 ~ 843.552.1226

Our Job is to be Faster to Any Disaster.

3/28/2019 (Permalink)

Our job is to get to you fast if a water damage occurs in your home or business.

Time becomes a precious commodity when disaster strikes your home or business. Waiting for help is stressful when it is your home or livelihood on the line—you need it right away.

Nobody understands a fast response like we do, which is why responding faster to any size disaster is more than just a slogan to us.

The Importance of Cleaning Up Quickly

When it’s your belongings or business on the line, time is not a luxury you have regarding disaster cleanup. This is especially true when water damage has come into play.

It only takes mere minutes for water to spread throughout your property, where it will saturate everything in its path. The walls, the floors, upholstery and your belongings are fast casualties of water.

The effects of water damage within the first 24 hours include:

  • Drywall beginning to swell and break down
  • Metal surfaces beginning to tarnish
  • Furniture beginning to swell and crack
  • Dyes and inks from cloth and paper items spreading and staining
  • The beginning of a musty odor

The damage continues to worsen as time goes on. Between 48 hours and a week later, you could begin to see:

  • The growth and spreading of mold and mildew
  • Swelling and warping of doors, windows and studs
  • Metal beginning to rust and corrode
  • Paint beginning to blister
  • Wood flooring swelling and warping
  • The possibilities of serious bio-hazard contamination

Water damage that is left unchecked for over a week can lead to a dramatically increased restoration time and costs and can also impact structural safety.

How We’ll Help

We can provide an immediate response to any size disaster, which can help minimize the damage and help keep the cleaning and restoration costs manageable.

Our trained cleanup and restoration specialists can be dispatched to your property or business at any time, no matter what day or time it is.

Being a locally owned and operated franchise helps us be close by and ready to respond whenever the call comes in. 

If you need us, we’ll be there—no matter the time or day. The team of highly trained restoration experts at SERVPRO® of Greater Northern Charleston is available for emergency cleanup and restoration services 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Here for you! 843.552.1226

Loving Local!

4/6/2016 (Permalink)

Franchise Owners, Liz & Brandon Ferm

Local businesses are run by people who don’t just know what they want to do professionally, but most have a clear understanding of why they put in the crazy work it takes to be self-employed.  With a long family lineage of self-starters and entrepreneurs, working for a locally owned and operated business has always been my preferred employment. Working directly with the owners of a local business, I have a front row seat to their Why, and nothing short of my own is as motivational.

Daily life at SERVPRO of GNC is far from calm and cozy - we work in a 24/7 emergency service industry! However, working with Liz and Brandon Ferm as their Office and Marketing Manager for 5 years, and counting, is definitely on the highlight reel of my professional life. 

I asked Brandon recently about his favorite part of being a local SERVPRO franchise owner.  This is the difference between an owner raised in the town he services and a huge corporate entity that ships in strangers.

“I find great fulfillment in helping clients gain control of their disaster. Often, during a large water or fire loss, people feel helpless with nothing within their control while they wait on help to arrive.  

Even before the team even steps foot onsite, our office staff or afterhours on-call manager (NEVER an answering service!)  begin to walk the clients through what they can expect.  On site, the SERVPRO team immediately gets to work doing the emergency mitigation, assessing the full scope of work, and helping the client line up any additional contractors that may be needed in order expedite getting their home or business put  back together.  

Once a client can get answers and see things moving in a positive direction, the victims of the disaster start to feel they are regaining control of their lives.  For me, this is by far the most satisfying part of what we do at SERVPRO of GNC. “

Take a second and save this number in your phone:  843-552-1226.  You never know when something unexpected is going to happen and turn your home or business upside down, but at least you will know the first call to make when it does.

SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston ~ Like it Never Even Happened.

~Beth Williams

Rapid Response is Critical!

1/14/2014 (Permalink)

Rapid response is critical to a water damage clean up.

Rapid Response on EVERY call is what sets SERVPRO apart from our competitors.  While all SERVPRO franchises are independently owned and operated, we are all held to the same response time guidelines.  We are actually scored on our ability to maintain consistent response times with the 1-4-8 standard set by our corporate leadership. 

At SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston we take the 1-4-8 guideline as a challenge.  When we are notified of a loss by your insurance company or property manager, we make sure someone stops IMMEDIATELY to contact the appropriate person to make arrangements to be on site for emergency service in as little time as possible.  Highly trained and professional technicians are usually on site in less than 2 hours unless otherwise requested by the client.

We also make it a practice, to contact your insurance adjuster if at all possible during the initial visit to your property in order to expedite necessary approvals for the work required to mitigate the fire or water damage and restore your home or business as quickly as possible.

SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston is proud to be part of a nationwide company that challenges us to provide expedient, quality service to our local home owners and small businesses.

We are here 24/7 to serve the North Charleston and surrounding areas:  Goose Creek, Moncks Corner, Summerville, Ladson, Hanahan... Call anytime:  843-747-8750.

Did you know?

8/30/2013 (Permalink)

We are proud to be locally owned and operated in Charleston, SC.

  • SERVPRO was founded in 1967.
  • We are the National leader and provider of fire and water cleanup and restoration services.
  • We also specialize in mold mitigation and remediation.
  • A network of more than 1,600 individually owned and operated Franchises make up the SERVPRO family.
  • We have franchises in Canada.
  • We respond to property damage emergencies ranging from individual residential disasters to multi-million dollar commercial losses.
  • The SERVPRO® System has established relationships with all major insurance companies.
  • Most of all… We love working with our Lowcountry home and business owners!

Congratulations, Beth Williams!

8/14/2013 (Permalink)

Beth Williams is now DryBook Certified!

Congratulations to our Sales/Office Manager, Beth Peterson Williams, for being the first SERVPRO employee in the Greater North Charleston area to successfully complete SERVPRO's DryBook Training with flying colors!

This new program will make it possible to capture drying information and readings more efficiently on site at a water damaged property. Just another tool SERVPRO has to offer that makes us best the restoration industry has to offer.