How do you lock in work before disaster strikes, not scramble after?
Written by Andy Kruger
BuildSOS CEO4 min read
The short answer
Develop pre-storm agreements with clients that outline emergency response services and priority repair schedules ahead of time. Combine this with proactive policy education, walking clients through their coverage before they need it, and you become their contractor of record before a disaster ever hits, not one of five bids they’re juggling afterward.
What a pre-storm agreement actually does
A pre-storm agreement is a simple, proactive step: outline emergency response services and priority repair scheduling with a client before a disaster occurs, so both sides know what to expect if one does.
This locks in work ahead of time instead of leaving it to chance when the phone starts ringing off the hook. It also builds real client trust, since you’re the contractor who thought ahead on their behalf, not the one who showed up after three other bids.
For the client, it reduces downtime and stress during an already difficult moment. For your business, it means a steadier pipeline instead of a mad scramble every time a storm makes landfall.
Educating clients before they need it
Pair the agreement with genuine policy education. Walk clients through common coverage gaps and exclusions specific to their region, and point out where additional coverage might be worth considering.
This isn’t a sales pitch dressed as education. Done well, it’s the single highest-trust conversation you can have with a client, and it’s what positions you as the contractor they call first, not the one they compare against three others after the fact.
Frequently asked
Is a pre-storm agreement a binding contract?
It’s typically a lighter-weight agreement establishing priority and expectations, not a full construction contract. Structure it in a way that protects both sides without over-committing either one before there’s actual damage to scope.
How do I bring this up without seeming like I’m predicting disaster?
Frame it seasonally: ahead of hurricane season, wildfire season, or winter, as part of general preparedness, the same way you’d remind a client to check their smoke detectors.
Does this work for one-time clients or only repeat ones?
It works well for both, but it’s especially valuable for existing clients you’ve already built trust with. New clients respond well to it too when it’s framed as proactive care, not upselling.
About the author
Andy Kruger
Andy Kruger is CEO of BuildSOS, author of When the Storm Comes, and sits on multiple boards and advisory groups shaping disaster resilience policy and research.
About Andy