Disasters such as a flood, fire, or earthquake can be stressful and costly. However, hiring a restoration company can add to that stress and cause more pain. Challenges you’re likely to encounter are risky behavior, poor artistry, unnecessary delays, and exorbitant charges.
However, homeowners can save themselves from this agony by knowing the right things to look for in a restoration firm. Here are some things to consider when hiring a restoration service following a fire, flood, earthquake, or any other disaster.
Certification, License, and Insurance
Never consider working with an uninsured or unlicensed restoration firm. Insured and licensed professionals operate legally and may free you from litigation. If you hire an uninsured or unlicensed restoration service and something goes wrong, you might find yourself vulnerable to lawsuits and fraudulent charges.
Working with a certified restoration professional like Wright Restorations gives peace of mind because you will be sure the person handling your home has the experience and skills needed to handle your project. Key certifications for a restoration company include Cleaning and Restoration Certification, Institute of Inspection, and IICRC. A disaster restoration service may have more than these certifications depending on the type of emergencies they can handle.
Reputation
You may not solely depend on online reviews when hiring a restoration company simply because you can’t determine whether they are authentic or paid. So, look for more than just online reviews.
Consider hiring a restoration firm that has been serving the local community for an extended period. While comparing prices is always wise, remember that price may be a reflection of the quality. So, please don’t settle for the cheapest estimate thinking that it is the best deal. Hiring a cheap but less reputable firm may end up costing you more down the line.
Availability
Emergencies strike at unprecedented times. When a fire or flood disaster strikes, you need a response team that can be on the scene within minutes. Therefore, the best thing to do is to hire a restoration firm offering round-the-clock service. You may also want to know their average response time. A disaster restoration firm with multiple locations is likely to respond to a disaster faster, preventing the escalation of a disaster and reducing the total repair cost.
Part of availability includes being open to communication. You will want the restoration company to keep you informed about how the operation will impact your business, what will be needed from you, and the timeframe for the project. Time is of the essence when it comes to emergencies. So, you must hire a team that you can easily reach out to.
Training
A fire or flood disaster can uncover other potential issues that may require the intervention of a professional. For example, you may need to hire an asbestos abatement or mold remediation professional during a water damage recovery.
Your disaster recovery company may have to halt operations and call in another team to handle emerging issues, adding delays and costs to the project. That’s why you should hire a building restoration company with fully cross-trained technicians that can handle any situation that may pop up. That will ensure quick restoration of your operations and minimize any potential future disruptions.
Covid-19 Protection Measures
Coronavirus is highly contagious and continues to claim the lives of millions worldwide. Therefore, property owners should take precautions even during building emergencies to keep occupants safe from infection. You can do this by inquiring about the safety protocols a building restoration company will take to prevent the spread of the coronavirus while working on your project.
Each of their technicians should come armed with adequate PPE and clean, disinfected, and wrapped equipment. Also, check to ensure that the type of disinfectants they are using against Covid-19 are EPA-approved. You might also want to know if they use containment barriers to isolate their workspace. A reputable disaster restoration company dedicated to protecting its clients won’t hesitate to answer these questions.
You don’t have to go through pain choosing the right emergency recovery partner. It will be easy to pick a recovery service with the expertise, experience, and equipment needed to handle your project if you prepare well. Check online reviews to see the techniques and equipment the restoration team will use to help you recover from an emergency.
Hiring a company with several locations ensures that the disaster crew will be on scene within the shortest time possible. It will also be worth hiring a company with fully cross-trained technicians to ensure speedy recovery from any scenario that may come up. If you’re unsure where to start after a disaster strikes your home, visit Restoration 1 home page at https://www.restoration1.com/residential-services/ to learn more about disaster recovery.
