In 2007 the managing director of HB Jones (MIDLANDS) Ltd was given the task by Cunningham Lindsey of setting up a team of operatives to specify in the repairing and renovating of the majority of properties damaged by the drastic floods. The main location for the insurance based works affected in the region was Sheffield, which meant our normal area coverage had to be extended to accommodate the project. To secure the efficiency of the running of the task a member of the office and communications team was assigned the role of ‘flood team liaison' who was responsible for the administration, customer liaison, inspections, and surveys for the claims.

The site operatives were equipped with the correct training and personal protective equipment so that all health & safety guidelines were met. The project ran successfully, with a majority of the strip-outs complete within the first month. Once the properties had dried out the reinstatement process got under way. With a team of damp proofing specialists to deal with the sodden walls, and joiners to tackle all the damaged woodwork we were well on the way to completing the task. After 8 months of strip-outs, drying out, floor replacements, specialist wall treatments, and complete redecorating of properties the challenge was complete on all but one property - a listed building that had to be left to dry naturally without the aid of dehumidifiers or other drying agents. This took longer than any other property and was fully completed in the autumn of 2008.

HB Jones (MIDLANDS) Ltd still have the occasional flood case in the Midlands sent over from Cunningham Lindsey. These are normally floods caused by burst pipes rather than natural flooding but are dealt with using the same procedures.

There has also been a recent increase in the amount of private non insurance based flood cases brought to our attention in the Midlands by property owners searching for the best quote in the area. These vary from small localised pipe repairs and redecorations to complete strip outs and reinstatements.