9 Questions You Should Ask When Hiring a Restoration Company

Think about the safety and security of you and your loved ones when making your decision. If you want the restoration process of your home to go as smoothly as possible, do your research so you can decide on a company confidently.

When disaster strikes, it can be tempting to panic and hire the first restoration company you can find. Even though the clock is ticking, take some time to vet these companies so you can find one that truly fits your needs. The unfortunate truth is that some restoration companies are scammers, and others will do a mediocre job. Whether you need fire damage restoration, or water has damaged your home, go through these questions to make sure you, your home, and your family are in good hands.

1. Is the business my insurance company recommends going to be the best choice for my home restoration?

You do not have to go to the place your insurance recommends. I would advise against it if you haven’t done any research on the company.
Even though time is of the essence after disaster strikes, make sure that the company you want to use will do a good job. This will save you time and headaches in the long run.

2. Are the company and its employees certified to be doing this kind of work?

The Institute of Inspection Cleaning Restoration Certification or IICRC is a reputable website to find a company that will be certified to perform the work needed.
You should also request to see the certificates from each person involved in working on your home. You can find out which certificate each person will need on the IICRC website.

3. Is the company insured?

If an accident happens that was caused by them, they need to cover it.
Accidents will become your financial burden if they are not covered. You can avoid this by making sure the restoration company has the insurance necessary to cover any accidentals they may cause.

4. What does their social media and websites look like?

Find out if the restoration company has an updated website and social media accounts. Social media websites may offer more information on the company and you may be able to find someone who has used them in the past.
If they look unprofessional in their photos, that is a good indication of how they will show up to your home.

5. What are people saying about them?

If you know someone that has a restoration company they trust, consider giving them a shot. Personal referrals can be the best and easiest option.
If you don’t know anyone that has used restoration services, check out the reviews for different restoration companies.
- Look at the best and worst review. If someone is complaining that their house grew mold after the restoration was complete, that company is probably not the best option.

6. Can the restoration company provide a complete list of the work that will be performed?

Ask them how long everything on the restoration list will take to complete.
Are there parts of the restoration they do not do that will force you to seek out more help to complete? If so, take that into consideration and perhaps choose a company that will do all of the restorations.

7. What is the restoration company’s rating on BBB or Angie’s List?

You can use either BBB or Angie’s List to find out how reliable the restoration company you are looking into is.
- The BBB assigns ranking to businesses and Angie’s List provides reviews as well as rankings.
- If they are not present on either of these websites I would highly suggest choosing another company.

8. Is the company available 24/7, 365 days a year?

A restoration company knows that when tragedy strikes you have to act fast.
If they are a reputable restoration company they should be able to have someone over to your house within 24 hours and be able to answer your questions by phone any time of day.
The sooner you are able to get someone on the phone and know they will help you handle your problems, the faster you can get relief.

9. How much will this cost me?

A company that offers professional cleanup services will often provide a free inspection and detailed estimate so you know exactly what you are getting into.
If the restoration company doesn’t provide an estimate you won’t know what you are paying for and what your insurance will cover.
- You could end up paying anywhere from $1,000 to $10,000. You don’t want to be surprised with a bill you can’t pay, so make sure that the company gives you a detailed estimate before you agree to work with them.