4 RED FLAGS WHEN HIRING A RESTORATION COMPANY

Hiring a restoration company is one of the most important decisions you can make when disaster strikes. Because when you need a reputable company to help you pick up the pieces after a fire, storm or other disaster, you want the job done correctly and time is of the essence. There are plenty of companies in the Quad Cities claiming to be able to do restoration work. But the industry is largely unregulated and it can be hard to know whether you are choosing the best company for the job. And the wrong decision can make a bad situation even worse. But there are a few warning signs to look out for when making your choice – here are a few:

No certification

A great restoration company goes beyond being licensed and bonded (which is really the minimum requirement to do work in your area). When a company is serious about restoration, they work to gain additional certifications. These certifications take additional time, effort and money. Certifications to look for include IICRC (The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification), certified lead renovator, certified RedStar contents restoration and OSHA-certified. And make sure to ask if the person doing the work on your home or business is certified.

No experience with restoration work

In general, the work required in restoration work goes beyond that of a general construction company or handyman. Part of the reason is that many restoration jobs go beneath the surface – dealing with smoke in a fire or mold in water damage, for example. The work takes experience and tools that are specific to the industry. And you definitely want someone on the job who knows what they are doing and has the tools to finish the job right.

No answer

In the restoration business, a company has to be available at all times. When you call a reputable company, you should be talking to a real person – at any time. This 24/7 service isn’t easy. And it’s not always cheap. That’s why some companies don’t do it.  But when it comes to water in the basement or a fire, do you really want to wait until tomorrow morning at 8:30 a.m. to talk to someone?

No quick response

In addition to answering the phone when you call, it’s also important for restoration companies to react quickly. That means a certified technician should be at your home or business quickly. In many cases, a property needs to be boarded up in a timely manner. In other cases, the damage needs to be assessed immediately. If a company can’t react quickly, it’s probably not the right choice.

The bottom line

When a disaster happens, finding the right restoration company is one of the most decisions you’ll make. These warning signs can help you make the right choice.

More questions? Contact our restoration experts.