24/7 Emergency Service
7 key things to consider when looking for a Restoration Company
5/6/2022 (Permalink)
Let us be part of your Ready Plan!
When a disaster strikes, it can be an overly stressful and highly a costly experience. Choosing the wrong restoration company can make a significantly add to that stress and do more harm than good.
Overcharging, unnecessary delays, poor workmanship, as well as risky behavior are common problems in the current industry. But being aware of the right things to look for, you can save yourself from considerable headaches and added expense.
Here are 7 key things to consider when choosing a restoration company:
- Are they licensed, insured, certified and have positive reviews?
There are several reasons to only work with licensed and insured restoration companies. For one, licensed and insured professionals can legally address your building emergency, freeing you from legal and financial liabilities. If things go wrong with an unlicensed or an uninsured restoration company, you’re vulnerable to fraudulent charges and lawsuits.
One certification to verify is IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification). Additional certifications expand the types of emergencies that the restoration provider is equipped to respond to. SERVPRO of Bloomington/Pontiac lists all current certifications.
- Are they available 24/7?
Emergencies are unpredictable. How dare they right?
But when disaster strikes, you need the team that’s prepared to respond at any time of day and on any day of the week. A company that offers round the clock servicing is a must. How long is their average response time? Part of availability is their communication. You will want to be kept in the loop with the timeframe for the situation, what will be needed of you, and how your property will be impacted. In emergency situations, time is essential and proper communication goes a long way to make sure things run as on task as possible.
- Do they have a good reputation in the community?
Online reviews can make us skeptical. Are they paid or are they authentic? It can be hard to tell. So, look at more than just reviews- Have they been serving the local community long and do they do much for the local community? Does anyone local want to recommend them? How long have they been in business and what type of resources do they have? And what do they specialize in?
These are all questions to consider. Of course, doing a estimate comparison is always a smart course, but remember, cheaper is not always better.
Don’t assume that the cheapest estimate is the best deal. In fact, going with a cheaper but less reputable restoration company may cost you much more in the long run. Quality and experience should be paramount.
- Are their technicians trained to handle multiple issues at once?
An emergency can uncover other potential issues that need to be addressed. A call for water damage may also require mold remediation and/or asbestos abatement. In most cases, a building restoration company will need to bring their work to a halt and call in another team to handle the new issue. This adds cost and delays to a project. Look for a building restoration company that has a fully cross-trained technicians that are equipped to address any situation they come across.
- Are they taking measures to protect their clients from COVID-19?
The SARS-CoV-2 virus is extremely contagious and is responsible for the COVID-19 pandemic that has taken the lives of millions around the globe. Even during building emergencies, every precaution should be taken to keep occupants safe from potential infection.
Ask your building restoration company what protocols they are taking to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Our staff is educated on protocols on protecting clients and themselves. A building restoration company that is dedicated to keeping their clients safe while they perform their work will be happy to answer these questions for you.
- Is it Local? What do they do for the community?
What is the difference if the company is local or nationwide? Sometimes not much-sometimes a large difference. For SERVPRO of Bloomington/Pontiac, we have the benefit of both. Our franchise is locally owned and staffed but has the benefit of a national brand. We can service all size project and all types of damages-and know we have a strong team behind us if we need more. We take great pride in our local outreach and involvement in numerous local groups. Knowing that keeping our community strong, keeps our business strong-this helps everyone grow!
- Do they communicate?
When preparing to hire a company-watch for their response to you and ask others how their communication was.
Communication is key to a successful demolition of damage. It is also key to putting it all back together. SERVPRO of Bloomington/Pontiac strives to keep an open line of communication from start to finish-you need to know what is happening and when. It helps keep the project on track and removes any confusion that may occur.
It Pays to Ask the Right Questions.
Choosing the right building restoration and emergency recovery partner doesn’t have to be a difficult process. With the right research and questions prepared, you’ll be able to pick a company that has the experience, equipment, and expertise that will meet your needs and give you peace of mind you deserve.
Contact SERVPRO of Bloomington/Pontiac today with any questions you may have or for any services you may need!
24/7/365
309.827.7500