Disasters can strike at any time and can leave your home or business in shambles.
When you’re dealing with a disaster — whether large-scale such as a flood, wildfire, or earthquake, or more contained, such as a burst pipe or mold infestation — the aftermath can be devastating. This is when you need a disaster restoration service, professionals who are trained to restore your property to its pre-disaster condition.
When disaster strikes, it can be overwhelming and confusing to know what to do next. So, even today, it’s important to give thought to when you might need a disaster restoration company — before catastrophe strikes.
Disaster restoration companies can offer the help you need when the damage from a disaster calls for more than simple repairs.
This could include:
- • Water damage restoration.
- • Fire damage restoration.
- • Mold remediation.
- • Storm damage restoration.
- • Smoke damage.
Disaster restoration companies can offer the help you need when sustained damage calls for more than simple repairs.
Choosing the right disaster restoration services begins with knowing what kind of companies are operating in your area. Do a quick online search for “disaster restoration services near me” and study how previous customers rated their results.
You might refine your search to include “disaster cleaning services” or “disaster remediation services.” Customers’ responses will likely connect with one or more of the following top 10 tips for choosing the right disaster restoration services.
NOTE: Convoy of Hope is not a disaster restoration service for hire. With the help of donors and partner organizations, Convoy brings needed resources into communities around the world following large-scale crisis events.
1. Choose a Company With Experience
Look for a company that has experience in disaster restoration services.
If it’s not obvious on their website, call and ask if they were involved with restoration following a well-known disaster in your area — like a tornado or hurricane, for example.
2. Check for Certifications
Make sure the company is certified by the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC).
Call your local Better Business Bureau for more information on a company you are considering. Also, your state government can help you connect with companies that work in specific areas of disaster recovery (recovery.mo.gov in Missouri, for example).
3. Read Reviews
Read reviews from past clients to see how satisfied they were with the company’s services. Don’t be put off by an outlying bad review. Keep an eye on how most customers feel about the work performed.
Also, note the nature of the review to be sure it connects with the type of service that you need. If you’re dealing with a severe mold infestation, you want to find reviews specifically connected with that problem.
4. Ask for References
If the online reviews look promising, ask the company for references from their most recent clients to get a better idea of their work.
5. Look for a Company That Offers a Variety of Services
Review disaster remediation companies that offer a variety of services so you can get all the help you need in one place.
Going back to the example of mold infestation, the presence of mold is often connected with a moisture problem. You will come out ahead if the cleanup services you hire can address both the mold and its primary cause.
6. Choose a Company That Is Available 24/7
Disaster restoration services can be needed at any time, so it’s important to choose a company that is available 24 hours a day. However, keep in mind that the more quickly a company responds, the more expensive it can be — like the plumbing companies that guarantee they can arrive within an hour, but charge you a premium to fulfill that promise.
If your disaster damage is not causing an immediate threat to the rest of your home or business, consider scheduling a more reasonable day and time for the job to be completed. For example, you might be able to seal off an individual pipe that burst or temporarily cover an opening in your structure.
7. Ask for a Written Estimate
Make sure you get a written estimate before any work is done so you know what to expect. Estimates are also important when you are going to make an insurance claim. As a rule, call your insurance company first before you begin researching a disaster restoration service to retain.
8. Choose a Company That Uses the Latest Technology
Look for a company that uses the latest technology to ensure the best-possible results. This closely connects with how new their equipment is and how well maintained it is.
9. Check for Insurance
Make sure the company is fully insured in case anything goes wrong during the restoration process. Whenever you allow a service professional to do work on your property, that person should be covered by their company’s insurance.
Many restoration jobs are higher risk than typical home or business services. It’s also important to ensure that any damage restorations that will be performed are covered by your insurance policy.
10. Choose a Company That Communicates Well
Look for a company that communicates well and keeps you informed throughout the restoration process. One of the first indicators on how well a company communicates with clients is during the first phone call or email. If you can’t quickly connect with an expert ready to address your need, consider looking somewhere else.
Disasters can strike at any time. You’ll come out ahead if you have an idea of where you might turn when disaster restoration services would be needed. Choosing the right disaster restoration services is crucial to getting your property back to its pre-disaster condition.
Convoy of Hope is a faith-based, nonprofit organization with long experience in disaster response following natural disasters. Convoy is not a disaster restoration service for hire; rather, with the help of donors and partner organizations, Convoy brings needed resources into communities around the world following large-scale crisis events. Convoy of Hope offers basic preparedness information at convoyofhope.org/prepare.
