There is no higher priority than the health and safety of our team and our clients. With the spread of the coronavirus, we are doing what we can to respond to the evolving situation. We are closely monitoring and adapting our practices by following the most recent recommendations of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and the guidance of local officials.

We stand committed to an effective response. We will do everything we can to protect the health and well being of our team members and our clients. We take this situation very seriously. While the environment is changing every day, at present, we are focused on:

Client Interaction

We are taking extra precautions for clients who prefer to meet in our studios:

  • Disinfecting common areas, design studios and conference rooms between all meetings
  • We have latex gloves available for handling of materials
  • We are working with vendors to send sample materials directly to client’s homes, minimizing the need for public showroom visits

Our client base is constantly on the move.  As a result, we are using our knowledge, tools and experience to work with clients remotely. Examples include:

  • Video conferencing technologies for client meetings
  • Video technologies for initial consultations
  • Screen sharing and remote meeting capabilities for reviewing documents
  • We are also working with local showrooms on video abilities to assist in material selections

Work Environment

All office employees in all locations have primarily moved to a remote work environment. Team members have been assigned specific days when they have access to the office to limit any possible risk of exposure. In the field, we continue to work on projects and are rigidly following the protocols outlined below.

Education

We are closely monitoring the best practices outlined by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and regularly share this information with the entire team. We are committed and resolved to implement new procedures as information becomes available.

Personal Hygiene

We have communicated to our staff that the CDC promotes healthy personal habits as the most effective way to decrease the spread of viral disease. This includes staying home when sick (especially with a fever and/or respiratory illness) coughing and/ or sneezing into an elbow or using a tissue to cover ones nose and mouth and then immediately discarding the tissue, thorough washing of hands which includes scrubbing frequently with hot water and soap for at least 20 seconds (if no water is available, use a disinfectant) and avoiding the touching of ones eyes, nose, and mouth. Contact with others is also to be avoided. Please do not be offended if we do not shake your hand.

Cleaning supplies, anti-bacterial hand soap, and hand sanitizer have been made available to all offices. Further, we have supplied a mask, cleaning supplies and gloves to all Fred Craftsmen and Remodeling Consultants.

Sick Leave

We have extended an additional 2 days of leave to all hourly employees to encourage them to stay home if they are not feeling well.

Empowerment

If a Fred employee is meeting with or near someone that they feel is sick, they are empowered to constructively leave the meeting to protect their health.  This practice is to be followed in all circumstances whether with a client, co-worker, supplier, alliance, etc.

Minimizing Exposure 

On the job site:

We have asked our team to erect plastic partitions as feasible around the work area to separate the work site from client living areas.  We also rigidly adhere to the lead safe work practices mandated by the EPA which may be helpful in minimizing exposure. These precautions include containment, careful removal / disposal of material, and HEPA vacuum clean up procedures.

We have conducted team meetings to review best practices for limiting the spread of the virus.

In the office:

We are disinfecting common areas (i.e. entry doorknobs, meeting rooms, coffee machine areas, etc.) on a daily basis in all 4 of our current locations (Bethesda, Falls Church, DC, Warehouse). All of our Design Studios are also being regularly disinfected between meetings.

For a detailed outline of all of the steps we are taking, please click here.

Quarantine

Any team members that have traveled on an airplane (domestically or internationally) have been directed to quarantine themselves at home for a period of 14 days. No one you will come in contact with at Fred has been on an airplane or in an airport for the last 14 days. In addition, any Fred employee that has had any danger of exposure has been directed to quarantine for 14 days.

Customized Solutions  

Every home and every renovation project is unique.  We understand this is more than a construction site, it’s your home. Our team is prepared to address any concerns or implement additional precautions to keep our clients safe.

Our Clients  

We will do what we can to protect your health. We expect the same in return. If you have had any exposure or illnesses, please let us know so that we can adjust accordingly.

Events 

Our friends at Case Design have cancelled their March and April seminars. To learn the status of future seminars, please visit the Case website.

 

We are remodelers, not Epidemiologists. We are not sure what tomorrow brings. There will be changes and adjustments to our plan, and plenty of uncertainty lies ahead. But, we are certain that the health of our team and our clients is our highest priority. From that, we will not waiver.

Be safe. Stay healthy.