Uncovering Hidden Dangers: How Jim’s Hazardous Material Removal Franchisee Stefano La Rosa is Keeping Homes and Businesses Safe

In the ever-evolving world of property maintenance and restoration, one division of the Jim’s Group has been quietly making a significant impact – Jim’s Hazardous Material Removal. Led by franchisee Stefano La Rosa, this specialized service is tackling some of the most dangerous and often overlooked threats to public health and safety and uncovering hidden dangers of hazardous materials.

Stefano’s journey with Jim’s Hazmat began over 8 years ago, when he started working in mold remediation for a company that primarily serviced insurance claims. It was during this time that he developed a deep passion for the work and recognized the growing need for these critical services. “I really started to enjoy it,” Stefano explains, “and then I just had to make a decision on what I wanted to do – was I happy working for someone for the rest of my life, or did I want to make a go of it myself and start my own business?”

After exploring various options, Stefano found his answer in franchising with Jim’s Group. “I started looking down the path of franchising rather than taking all the risk on myself,” he says, “and I found Jim’s and it’s been an absolute blessing.” With Jim’s strong brand recognition, comprehensive training, and unwavering support, Stefano was able to launch his own Hazmat franchise and hit the ground running.

Uncovering Hidden Dangers: Mold, Methamphetamine, and More

As Stefano’s franchise has grown, he has become an expert in navigating the complex and often hazardous world of hazardous material removal. While the division originally focused primarily on asbestos removal, it has since expanded to encompass a wide range of services, including:

• Mold remediation
• Clandestine lab cleanup (methamphetamine)
• Marijuana grow house decontamination
• Biohazard cleanup (including syringe disposal)

Of these, mold remediation has become the primary focus for Stefano’s franchise, accounting for around 70-75% of his work. “The main thing with mold remediation is basically you’re nine times out of 10 at private properties,” he explains, “and it’s basically they’ve either had a water event where they’ve had a leaking pipe or something of the sort which has caused some water damage over a period of time that water hasn’t been taken care of, which then causes microbial growth, mold growth.”

The dangers of mold, particularly the toxic black mold known as Stachybotrys, cannot be overstated. Exposure to mold can have severe respiratory effects, triggering asthma attacks and even leading to mold poisoning, which can make people “really, really sick.” Stefano emphasizes the importance of addressing mold issues promptly, as the longer it is left untreated, the more hazardous it becomes.

But mold is just one of the many hidden dangers that Stefano and his team at Jim’s Hazmat are tackling. The growing prevalence of methamphetamine production in residential properties has also become a major concern, with Stefano noting that “it really is becoming more and more prevalent in a lot of homes.” The contamination left behind by these clandestine labs can be incredibly hazardous, posing serious health risks to anyone who subsequently occupies the property.

To address this issue, Stefano believes that legislation similar to New Zealand’s, which requires mandatory testing and decontamination of properties after tenancy, will soon be implemented in Australia. “I think we’re going to head more down that sort of a path,” he says, “because it really is becoming more and more prevalent.”

Prioritizing Customer Service and Safety

Despite the inherent challenges of his work, Stefano has managed to build a thriving business with a stellar reputation for customer service. With a perfect 5-star rating on Google and numerous glowing reviews, it’s clear that Stefano’s commitment to going above and beyond for his clients is a key driver of his success.

“I really want to make sure that every client’s different,” Stefano explains. “No two problems are the same, even though they may look the same – you’re dealing with different people. So I try and really personalize that experience and make them feel like they’re being helped, not just another cab off the rank.”

This personalized approach extends beyond just the customer service aspect – Stefano and his team also prioritize safety and professionalism in every job they undertake. “I try and really personalize that experience and make them feel like they’re being helped, not just another cab off the rank and get in and out and get paid and away I go,” he says. “No, it’s more about making sure they’re comfortable with the service that I’m providing, as well as they’re happy at the end of the job.”

This commitment to safety and quality is evident in the comprehensive process Stefano follows for each job. When a customer reaches out, the call center first assesses the situation to determine if it’s something Stefano’s team can assist with. If so, they schedule an on-site inspection to assess the extent of the issue and provide a detailed quote.

“We contact the client, try and determine if it’s something that we can help out first of all on, and then get out to the property as soon as possible to do an inspection and then provide them a quote from there,” Stefano explains. This thorough approach ensures that the team can accurately identify and address the problem, while also setting clear expectations for the client.

Overcoming the Challenges of a Specialized Industry

While Stefano’s dedication to customer service has been a key factor in his success, he acknowledges that operating in a specialized industry like hazardous material removal comes with its own unique set of challenges. “The hardest part’s probably just been the consistency of work,” he admits, “but in saying that, I’ve been very lucky where I’ve had some really big jobs that have sort of been able to carry me through those quiet periods.”

To combat these fluctuations in work, Stefano has adopted a proactive approach to generating leads and maintaining a steady stream of business. “Be proactive, go out and talk to people,” he advises. “I talk to a lot of builders that provide work, real estate agents, insurance companies – there is so much work out there, it’s just whether you’re strong enough and confident enough to go and get it.”

Stefano’s outreach efforts have paid off, particularly with insurance companies, which he sees as a valuable source of ongoing work. “I basically just contact the big insurers and ask to speak with their procurement teams,” he explains. “Once you get on to them, it’s a really easy process. Look, it’s really hard to get on their panels, but if you can just at least get your name out there with them, then you can sort of then, off the back of when they go through really busy periods and their current contractors can’t keep up, that’s when you’ll get your foot in the door.”

This proactive approach, combined with Stefano’s unwavering belief in himself and his business, has been instrumental in his success. “Take the jump, take the risk,” he advises aspiring entrepreneurs. “It’s worth it. Everything in life has risks, but if you don’t take the risk, you’re not going to get the reward.”

The Future of Jim’s Hazardous Material Removal

As Stefano looks to the future, he sees tremendous potential for growth and expansion within the Jim’s Hazmat division. With the increasing awareness of the dangers posed by mold, methamphetamine contamination, and other hazardous materials, the demand for these specialized services is only expected to rise.

Stefano’s plan for the next 6 months is to focus on building more consistency within his work, which will then allow him to bring on additional team members and continue expanding his operations. “Once I’ve got that consistency, I’ll look at bringing someone else on board, and then just start building a team from there,” he says. “Once I’m able to do that, then I’ll start employing hopefully one or two more on top of that as well.”

With the support and resources of the Jim’s Group behind him, Stefano is confident that he can continue to grow his franchise and make a meaningful impact in his community. “The support’s been really good,” he says. “My franchise advisor has been fantastic right the way through – he’s constantly checking in on me and just seeing how things are going and asking questions.”

As the public becomes increasingly aware of the importance of addressing hazardous materials in homes and businesses, the work of Stefano and the Jim’s Hazmat division will only become more crucial. By providing top-notch customer service, prioritizing safety, uncovering hidden dangers and continuously expanding their expertise, Stefano and his team are setting the standard for hazardous material removal in Australia.

If you would like a FREE quote from Jim’s Hazmat Removal simply call 131 546. You can also follow us on Facebook or Instagram.

To learn more about Jim’s Hazardous Material Removal and how you can access their services, visit the Jim’s Group website or call 131 546 in Australia or 0800 454 654 in New Zealand. And be sure to check out the Jim’s Group YouTube channel for more expert advice and insights from the team and you too can continue uncovering the hidden dangers in your home.