How commercial losses differ
| Issue | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Multiple stakeholders | Owner, tenant, manager, association and insurers may each be responsible for part of the loss |
| Business interruption | Lost revenue and closed areas can matter as much as the repair |
| Equipment and inventory | Electronics, stock and records may be affected, not just the building |
| Larger or shared systems | Water can travel between units through ceilings, risers and shared walls |
| Access and safety | Occupied buildings need clear routes, signage and communication |
A practical first-day list
- Stop or isolate the water source and make the area safe.
- Photograph and video the damage, including affected units and shared areas.
- Notify the right people in writing: property management or association, insurer and affected parties. Keep copies.
- Move or protect critical equipment and records if it is safe to do so.
- Ask for written scopes and estimates from more than one provider where time allows.
- Keep a log: who was told what, and when.
Questions for a commercial provider
- Have you handled a property of this size and type, and can you provide references?
- Which licenses and insurance cover the work, and can you provide proof of insurance?
- How will you protect occupied areas, and what will tenants see and hear?
- How will you document the work for the insurer?
- Who is the single point of contact on site?
You can check Florida license status on the DBPR license search.
Insurance and flood
Commercial property policies differ widely, and flood is often excluded or limited, as it is in many homeowners policies (FEMA). Read the policy for business interruption, equipment and ordinance-or-law terms and ask your broker. See the claims guide for Florida’s notice deadlines.
Get help for your business
Call for commercial water damage help in your area. Describe the property and what happened to arrange an inspection, with the scope and price agreed before work starts. See what to expect when you call.