Four Red Flags Homeowners Should Be Aware of When Choosing a Damage Restoration Company

10/20/2021 (Permalink)

Blog Summary: SERVPRO of Carrollton highlights mistakes that homeowners make and red flags they overlook when choosing a company for damage restoration services.

SERVPRO of Carrollton is committed to providing customers with reliable emergency damage restoration services from the customer’s first contact with SERVPRO to the completion of the restoration project. Crews arrive within one hour of the call. After a thorough inspection and assessment, customers are presented with a written estimate that includes documentation and images. SERVPRO of Carrollton handles insurance claims while also working closely with the customer. The Carrollton SERVPRO is locally owned and operated. The business will be around for many years after the project is complete.

When homeowners need water damage restoration, fire and smoke restoration, or mold remediation, they want to hire a reputable professional restoration company they can trust. Since any disruption to life is stressful and inconvenient, the goal is to find a company as quickly as possible so that life can return to normal. A homeowner looking for property damage restoration at 2:00 am is usually in crisis mode.

Homeowners should not let an unscrupulous restoration company take advantage of their situation. Listed below are some danger signs homeowners should be aware of to avoid making the mistake of choosing an untrustworthy restoration company.

Red flag: The company offers instant estimates.

In the aftermath of a fire damage disaster or water damage disaster, the frantic homeowner is tempted to hire a company that can provide an estimate over the phone and can start work immediately. The homeowner should avoid any restoration company that claims to deliver an accurate estimate of the project without looking at the scene. A credible estimate requires a thorough inspection of the damage by a trained professional, an assessment of the extent of the damage, and an accurate calculation of expenses using industry-standard software such as Xactimate. An estimate that carries weight with an insurance provider must have sufficient documentation that includes photos. An estimate of this quality requires in-person damage inspection and assessment. Surprises will only serve to make a difficult situation worse.

Red flag: The company lacks or refuses to show paperwork.

Paper trails are essential. Proper documentation leads the homeowner to the most reputable, experienced, and trustworthy property damage restoration companies in the community. It is a good business practice to request the following documentation:

• General contractor license if the company claims to be a general contractor
• Verification of insurance and bonding
• A written estimate along with the contract for the provision of services

This request for documentation is customary and not out of the ordinary for a reputable property damage restoration company. A franchised company may have a quality control and customer service process that requires the company to provide this documentation to every customer for every job. Make sure the licensing, insurance, and bonding are current. This request will filter out unqualified or unscrupulous competitors.

Red flag: The company requires upfront funding or offers a large cash discount.

A large-scale disaster such as a hurricane, tornado, or flood attracts home services companies, tree trimming companies, and property damage restoration companies near and far. The vast majority of these responders are great Americans who lay aside their comfort and convenience to serve their neighbors in need who have been displaced from their homes by a large-scale natural disaster or other crisis.

Red flag: The company lacks the proper certifications.

When hiring a damage restoration company, beware of service providers that do not have certifications to back up their work. Look for certifications from industry-standard certifying bodies, such as the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification.

Regrettably, scammers take advantage of unsuspecting homeowners caught in a crisis and in need of immediate assistance. First, the scammer will pressure the desperate homeowner to make a large down payment to cover materials. Second, the scammer will offer a sizable cash discount if the homeowner immediately hires the company to do the work. If the job is started, it is not finished. Even if the scammer finishes the job, the workmanship and materials will be inferior, and the company will conveniently disappear.

Trust the proven experts at SERVPRO of Carrollton for water, mold, fire, and storm damage restoration. IICRC-certified in a variety of restoration disciplines, the team provides twenty-four-hour emergency service. The technicians are highly trained restoration professionals who live in the communities that they serve.

For more information about the Dallas, TX, damage restoration company, contact SERVPRO of Carrollton by email at office@SERVPRO10952.com. The office can also be contacted by calling (972) 446-0383.