Though you may experience building damage from a disaster, whether it’s from smoke, water or something else, there’s always the potential for recovery. But if you’ve never been in this situation before, you might find yourself wondering what questions to ask a restoration company in order to make sure your expectations are met. That’s where we can help you.
1. Is your company licensed and bonded?
Don’t think that just anyone is equipped to handle your restoration needs. A restoration contractor should be licensed to operate in your state. Make sure you inquire with restoration companies to find out whether they have the proper licensing, insurance, and certifications to work on homes and businesses in your area. For example, RestoreCore is licensed to operate in PA, NJ, MD, and DE, and holds several industry certifications.
2. Are technicians certified?
Not only do you want the company handling your property’s restoration to be legit, but also the people doing the actual labor. For example, services like professional mold remediation require the correct training and educational background. The minimum standard in this industry says that each technician should be certified by the Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification (IICRC). Being an IICRC certified firm means that the restoration company meets a threshold for the number of certified technicians in each location. Technicians can also be certified specifically for water restoration, fire and smoke restoration, applied structural drying, microbial remediation, and more. If they’re not certified for the work you need, find someone who is.
3. What is the extent of your restoration experience?
Every situation is unique, but that doesn’t mean others aren’t similar to your own. Find out if (and how many times) the company has handled a situation like yours and what the results were. Some restoration companies specialize in single family home/residential insurance work, while others specialize in the commercial or multifamily industry; some only perform emergency services while others are full service companies that provide both emergency response and reconstruction; and some restoration companies are experienced with small losses but are not equipped to handle large scale, catastrophic losses. For example, RestoreCore is full service and has four decades of working in single family homes and with insurance companies but we also have members of our staff who specialize in managing commercial and multifamily work. We can handle small, everyday losses like a toilet overflow affecting a single room but we also have a large loss division that can handle six and seven-figure projects.
4. Is your company available 24/7?
Disaster can hit at any time. You need to know that the company you’re relying on can be there for you whether you need them at 2 p.m. or 2 a.m.
5. Will the company communicate with you?
Contractors can very easily earn a bad reputation because they fail to communicate progress and next steps. Find a restoration company that will provide you with regular updates so you are informed throughout the entire process.
6. How long will the restoration take?
Don’t be left in limbo. If a company is reliable and reputable, they will be able to give you a realistic expectation as to just how long it will take for them to finish the job.
Learning the right questions to ask a restoration company is key to making sure your possessions and property have the best chance of recovery should the unexpected occur. RestoreCore not only meets these expectations but exceeds them. In the event you ever find yourself in need of restoration services, we hope you’ll trust us with the things you love the most.
Contact us at one of our four locations – Allentown, King of Prussia, Harrisburg, PA and Edison, NJ. Or, if you need immediate assistance, call us directly at 877-561-8648
