Restorers need attorneys with a deep understanding of restoration and the challenges faced by restorers.
The Law Offices of Ed Cross is a nationally recognized firm dedicated to maximizing recovery for the restoration community since 1997.
Specializing in providing legal services for restorers, cleaners, contractors and movers across the United States, The Law Offices of Ed Cross has represented small sole proprietorships to the biggest names in the restoration and cleaning industry. We provide customized contract drafting services, standardized forms drafting services, all facets of collections services, and litigation services related to breach of contract actions, insurance bad faith claims, mechanic’s lien foreclosures, defense of workmanship complaints, and more.
Edward H. Cross was first given the privilege of representing restoration contractors during the Mold Rush in 1997, he dove deep with his past certifications as a Certified Indoor Air Quality Professional (CIAQP) and a Water Damage Restoration Technician (WRT). Mr. Cross was on the editing committee for the 2nd edition of the Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Water Damage Restoration – S500 and he was a major contributor to the IICRC’s S520 Standard and Reference Guide for Professional Mold Remediation. From the mold rush days to now, we has seen the industry undergo a very clear transformation from a defensive posture where restorers lived in constant fear of being sued for mold, to an offensive posture, having to fight to get paid fair value for an honest day’s work. Their invoices frequently come under attack from an organized effort to radically reduce claims expenditures.
One of the things that makes the restoration industry unique is that payment for services is usually made by a third party: the insurance company, whereas payment for services provided by other industries is usually made by the recipient of the service. The restoration industry relies heavily on proceeds from property insurance policies as compensation for restoration services. Restorers, however, answer to the policyholder. They owe a duty of due care and professionalism to the policyholder, whose goal is to receive prompt, high quality service.
Restorers often report to us that insurers want them to perform a much more limited scope of work than that to which the restorers believe the standard of care requires. Every day in every state, restorers find themselves stuck in this Catch 22. The restorer is bound to industry workmanship standards that continue to elevate, and operating expenses that continue to rise––yet standardized price lists often remain flat or in decline, and the insurance industry gets increasingly more creative in finding ways to pay less for restoration services. This is unsustainable and bold action must be taken to reverse the trend or we may all be in jeopardy of having a shortage of restoration services to come to our aid in our time of need.
The Law Offices of Edward H. Cross has extensive experience in a broad array of indoor environmental issues, including water damage restoration, building-related illnesses, risk management for contractors and building owners/managers, water damage restoration contracts, assessment of water loss insurance coverage issues and many related areas.
The Law Offices of Edward H. Cross’ knowledge of cleaning and restoration law is invaluable as having a firm that is already familiar with the legal issues facing you, your company, and your work community saves time and money, and assists in ensuring the most favorable outcome for you and your company.