ECONA Network, a group of independent and franchised full contents cleaning and restoration (C&R) service providers, today announced it has grown to become the largest full contents C&R provider network in North America, topping more than 250 operators. Distributed nationwide and in Canada, ECONA members provide soft and hard contents restoration services and comprise a cross section of the industry’s top performers, from independent restoration firms to some of the top franchise groups such as BELFOR, DKI, ServiceMaster and SERVPRO.

Research by J.D. Power and Associates shows a direct correlation between customer satisfaction and the number of contractors a policyholder has to contact before reaching final claims settlement.

To help solve this issue, insurers and claims professionals can reference the ECONA Network to better manage workloads, service policyholders and improve customer retention via a one-stop, single source solution for all contents restoration needs.

ECONA providers are pre-qualified to ensure optimal C&R services are performed using the most advanced state-of-the-art Esporta Wash Systems and ultrasonic systems and processes available.

Insurance carriers can realize significant cost savings because, on average, ECONA members can restore more than 90% of hard and soft contents (textiles) claims, virtually eliminating the need to replace costly homeowner property of all types.

“ECONA members have already restored millions of pounds of soft and hard contents including leather, apparel, sporting equipment, furniture, shoes/boots, bedding, furniture, consumer electronics, porcelain, even firemen turn-out suits, effectively keeping those materials out of landfills and back in people’s lives,” said Ken Campbell, ECONA vice president.

ECONA providers offer a range of C&R services including:

• Handling of water, fire/smoke, mold and other losses
• Soft contents restoration (more than just textiles)
• Hard contents restoration
• Ultrasonic cleaning
• Electronics & appliance restoration
• Pack-outs, storage, pick-up & delivery
• Electronic inventory services

“When it comes to property, carriers need to readjust their thinking from ‘pay & replace’ to ‘save & restore’, said Howard Sures, president of ECONA. “Insurers can save millions in settlement costs because household contents damaged by smoke and water, or by odor, soot, grime, mold, mildew and other contaminants can be restored to pre-loss condition and put back into people’s homes.”