Tips on Hiring the Right Restoration Company After a Devastating Loss

9/5/2022 (Permalink)

Fires can be incredibly destructive. Still, people underestimate what water and flame retardants to extinguish the blaze can do. These elements require a different approach to fire and smoke restoration and cleanup.

Because of the critical role a fire restoration company plays in ensuring your home or business recovers, it’s vital to find the right one. Knowing what to look for can make the choice easier in an already stressful time. 

Here are some of the primary elements to look for when choosing a fire damage restoration company:

Certifications

Certification is one of the essential factors to consider when choosing a fire restoration company. Make sure they have all the necessary state and local certifications to legally allow them to provide restoration services and that they are valid. 

Look for an IICRC Certification in particular, but there may be additional certifications for other services provided by the same company. Examples of these services include commercial and structural drying and mold remediation.

Expertise

Besides having the proper certification, the company's employees should also be fully licensed and well-trained fire-damage experts, able to handle a wide range of scenarios.

While expertise is needed, hands-on experience is also very important. Every case of fire damage needs care since incorrect assumptions early on can prolong or derail the restoration process. Experienced professionals like the professionals at SERVPRO, such misconceptions are less likely to happen.

Make sure that the fire restoration company you choose has more than enough experience and has handled its fair share of restoration projects.

Reviews

You can get first-hand information from the company's reviews regarding their experiences working with each particular fire restoration company. You can also ask for recommendations from other sources, such as your insurance agent or adjuster.

Rather than fixating on a single negative or positive review, look for a pattern. Even the best companies have a few outliers in their feedback profiles.

Explore Specialties

Different fire restoration companies have different areas they specialize in. Every belonging to be restored is made of different materials and textiles so the company should handle and treat them accordingly. Determine your priorities, and ask the company about their strengths of restoring similar items. 

Recovery time

Seconds can make the difference between being able to restore an item and having to replace it. Some items are sentimental and really can’t be duplicated or repurchased. Choose a company that offers quick response times. They should also provide sound advice on the actions to take when salvaging possessions from a fire. SERVPRO thoroughly documents non-salvageable items.

Detailed Schedule

A good fire restoration company should provide an in-depth, estimated completion date and a clear and defined schedule of the steps their team will take during the recovery process.

Storage Facilities

Some companies offer storage facilities. If they do, find out more information about those facilities such as storage space and other conditions like security and temperature control. Likewise, inquire whether the company provides packing services and how accurate they are at keeping records. This is something SERVPRO spends time doing right the first time to avoid any issues for our customers later on!

Costs

Most fire restoration companies will provide a free initial consultation regarding the work. While these costs typically vary based on the extent of damage, having an estimate allows you to pick the option that falls closer to the amount you are willing to spend.

With these few factors and considerations, you should be able to pick a fire restoration company that can meet your expectations. SERVPRO of Rolla is the industry leader.

Why SERVPRO?

Our services include mold removal, commercial cleaning services, building restoration services, and more to ensure you can get your home or business back to normal with a single phone call.

SERVPRO of Rolla should be your first choice for residential or commercial restoration needs. Our team of professionals is trained to assess the damage and potential threats, extract and contain the affected area, dry, and restore your property to preloss condition.