You asked so we asked: Are we an “Essential Business”?
In the wake of Gov. Jay Inslee announcing a month-long extension of his “Stay Home, Stay Healthy” emergency order Thursday evening, you may be asking yourself if your foundation or drainage situation is considered an emergency through the eyes of the state. The order, which banned all gatherings and temporarily shuttered non-essential businesses, will continue through May 4, 2020. We are following all social distance guidelines recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. By heeding these precautionary measures, we have a greater chance of protecting ourselves and others not only from the coronavirus, but from cold and flu, too. Which is why we send in an inquiry to the state to get clarification to see if our drainage division will still be able to operate under the order if there is a chance that the homeowner would get damage to their home, in which they currently occupy, if left in the condition they are in. The reply, though simple, was just as vague, but we have come to the conclusion that if there is water entering your home and if that water, if left untreated, may cause damage to your living areas or cause unsafe conditions such as mold or rot, it is essential to get that water rerouted to make your home safe to live in. While this is true for our waterproofing/drainage division, the essential part of the business does not apply to our foundation repair division at this time. For any foundation repair work or estimates, while we are more than happy to provide you with guidance and over the phone/email support or guesstimates, an actual in person appointment will not be possible until it is Business as Usual.
Please see the response below to my inquiry as it applies to Five Star Foundations and Drainage only:
Reply from the Business Response Team with the Washington State Emergency Operations Center. Please visit coronavirus.wa.gov for ongoing guidance.*
“Under Proclamation 20-25, commercial construction and related contractor work will be deemed essential if it supports a business or activity that is itself essential. The only permitted residential construction is the work necessary to restore a single bathroom or kitchen in order to preserve access to hygiene and nutrition. Both are limited in scope, and the only other construction permitted is that needed to prevent spoliation, avoid damage or unsafe conditions, or address emergency repairs.
The order allows for construction in the following limited circumstances: a) Construction related to essential activities as described in the order; b) To further a public purpose related to a public entity or governmental function or facility, including but not limited to publicly financed low-income housing; or c) To prevent spoliation and avoid damage or unsafe conditions, and address emergency repairs at both non-essential businesses and residential structures.
To that end, it is permissible for workers who are building, construction superintendents, tradesmen, or tradeswomen, or other trades including, but not limited to, plumbers, electricians, carpenters, laborers, sheet metal, iron workers, masonry, pipe trades, fabricators, heavy equipment and crane operators, finishers, exterminators, pesticide applicators, cleaning and janitorial staff for commercial and governmental properties, security staff, operating engineers, HVAC technicians, painting, fence installation, moving and relocation services, forestry and arborists, and other service providers to provide services consistent with this guidance. All construction activity must meet social distancing and appropriate health and worker protection measures before proceeding.
Please know the Governor takes this decision very seriously. Nonetheless, he believes the best way to control the spread of COVID-19 is to temporarily limit interaction as much as possible.
Please also know that, even if your construction activity does not meet the criteria above, you may continue to perform minimum basic operations to a) maintain the value of your inventory, b) preserve the condition of your premises and equipment, c) ensure security, d) process payroll and employee benefits, e) facilitate employees of the business being able to continue to work remotely from their residences, and f) conduct related functions. Any minimum basic operation must still adhere to the guidelines around social distancing and sanitation referenced in Proclamation 20-25 or any subsequent proclamation related to essential businesses.”