Choosing A Restoration Company: Tips & Checklist
After your property has faced water, fire, storm or mold damage, you'll need a restoration company to fix the damages. Unless you've dealt with property damage before, this might be the first you've ever heard about restoration contractors, so you might be scratching your head wondering who to call. But just like choosing a regular contractor to work on your property, it's important to do your research on the company you choose. Doing so will save you headaches, unnecessary delays, shoddy work, and overpricing.
What is a restoration company?
To start off, it's important to know what a restoration company is unlike a regular building/remodeling contractor. Restoration contractors specialize in cleaning and repairing properties which have been damaged by water, fire, and mold. Regular contractors don't have the necessary experience or equipment to handle restoration projects.
Restoration companies offer some/all of these services:
- Water Extraction
- Contents Cleaning
- Contents Packouts
- Mold Remediation
- Soot & Odor Removal
- Dehumidification
- Lead & Asbestos Abatement
- Biohazard Cleaning
- Backup Sewage Cleanup
Restoration companies are equipped with the following:
- Flood extractors
- Air Movers
- Dehumidifiers
- HEPA Vacuums
- Air Scrubbers
Things To Look For In a Restoration Company
Is The Restoration Company Certified, Licensed, and Insured?
You can't trust your property with just anyone, which is why the restoration company you choose must be licensed. Being licensed translates to the entity having legal permission of the state to perform their services. The company you choose should also be insured. In the case that anything goes wrong in the restoration process, this will free you from financial and legal liabilities.
Lastly, certifications prove that a company has taken the extra steps to verify their skills. When it comes to restoration, IICRC- Certification is one of the industry standards.
R&L Global is Certified, Licensed, and Insured To Carry Restoration Projects of All Sizes.
How Long Have They Been In Business?
With so many fly-by-night restoration companies popping up, an established company with years under them is an indicator they are here to stay. How long a company has been in business also means that they are more experienced. It's recommended to work with a restoration company that has at least 5 years in business.
R&L Global Has Been Serving Houston Since 2007
Whats Is Their Reputation Like?
Being in business for years means little if a company has a bad reputation. Luckily for consumers, it's easier to vet and research a company's reputation more than ever. You can easily do an online search and look up ratings and reviews for any restoration company. Beware of companies with no digital footprint, or companies with bad reviews.
R&L Global Has Over 50+ 5-Star reviews across multiple platforms like Google, Thumbtack, HomeAdvisor, and Yelp.
Do They Offer Full Service Restoration?
Restoration companies vary, some companies can only help with certain areas of the restoration process, needing you to hire other contractors for the rest of the services. For example, a house with a flooded basement will need water extraction & drying service, mold remediation, and restoration/reconstruction. In some cases, contents may need to be packed out. Working with a full-service restoration company will save you time, headaches, and money since you'll only have 1 company working on your property.
R&L Global offers full-service restoration, one call handles everything.