26  |  SCHOOL PLANT MANAGER MAGAZINE  |  FALL 2026
This principle aligns with decades 
of research on mitigation. The 
National Institute of Building 
Sciences’ landmark Natural Hazard 
Mitigation Saves study concluded that 
“for every dollar spent on mitigation, 
there is a four dollar return of avoided 
losses in the future.” While the 
research focuses on hazard mitigation 
broadly, its central message is clear: 
investments made before a disaster 
consistently cost less than recovering 
from preventable damage afterward. 
Prepared contractor relationships 
also improve communication during 
a crisis.
A restoration contractor who has 
previously completed specialty work in 
district facilities already understands 
the district’s expectations. Facility 
managers know who will answer 
the phone, how projects are 
documented, and whether the 
contractor communicates effectively 
with administrators, insurance 
representatives, and outside agencies.
Trust and familiarity eliminate 
valuable learning time during an 
emergency—time that can directly 
affect the amount of damage 
sustained.
There are financial advantages  
as well.
Emergency procurement often 
occurs under tremendous pressure, 
increasing the likelihood of rushed 
decisions, documentation challenges, 
and contractor shortages. By contrast, 
districts that have already evaluated 
restoration partners through 
routine specialty projects can make 
informed decisions based on firsthand 
experience rather than internet 
searches or unsolicited marketing after 
a disaster.
The economic case for preparedness 
continues to grow stronger. A 2024 
study by the U.S. Chamber of 
Commerce, Allstate, and the U.S. 
Chamber Foundation found that 
every dollar invested in disaster 
preparedness saves communities an 
estimated $13 in damages, cleanup 
Relationships with Contractors, continued

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