When you or your loved ones are impacted by a flood, fire, or earthquake, it’s physically and emotionally draining. As you look at the aftermath, you may feel overwhelmed with all that needs to be done to return life to normal. However, you don’t have to do it alone.
If a disaster hits your home, you should hire a restoration provider to help you clean up the destruction. Many people only look at price when considering which restoration provider to hire, and while it’s understandable that people want to save money, it is important to remember that you get what you pay for. If a company is much cheaper than others in the industry, there may be a reason.
Before making a decision, you should look at the following criteria:
- Experience and customer service — Working with an experienced and reputable restoration provider will make the recovery efforts easier for you. They will explain everything that needs to be done and the steps for a full restoration of your property. They can also help provide information to you for when you need to make an insurance claim for the damage. If possible, check for reviews of the company online.
- Certifications — For this type of work, there are a variety of certifications that those working on your property should have. It’s important to ask potential restoration providers what kind of certifications they require their employees to have. A quality company will have employees with more than one Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). IICRCs can cover anything from drying portions of your property after flooding to dealing with damage from fire and smoke. If you are searching for a provider for a business that handles any hazardous materials, you’ll also want to see if the company you are considering is qualified to handle those types of scenarios.
- Safety — Performing restoration on a building can present a different set of challenges than a regular construction site. If only part of the building is in need of restoration, other portions of the building can be available for use. An experienced restoration provider will know what to do to make sure those using the building are safe while the restoration is taking place.
- Good history — While the company you’re looking at may seem like a quality organization, it’s important to check for any litigation history before signing a contract. If the company has had any issues in the past, there may be a record of it at the Better Business Bureau or in local court records. If the company has had multiple issues, consider selecting another company.
A business that is dedicated to its customers will go the extra mile help you understand the whole process and won’t cut corners on the work. Although picking the right company to restore your property may be tedious, if you select a winner, you will reap the rewards of quality service.
