When you buy a new house, it's the last thing on your mind to worry about all the possible damages it might sustain. A windstorm, a burst pipe, or a broken appliance can severely damage a home. In the event of water damage, your entire building and contents may be lost. A fire can cause devastating damage, no matter how small. House mold is unsightly, potentially harmful, and destructive. Whatever the damage, you must call a professional restoration company to restore your home to its pre-loss condition. What is the best way to choose who to call? Choosing a restoration company to handle your home's damage involves a number of factors. If you need a restoration professional, here are some things to look for.
What are their certifications?
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification, or IICRC, is a non-profit organization that certifies and sets standards for the restoration and cleaning industries. In order to maintain certification, the IICRC has strict standards for its member companies and their employees in terms of ongoing training. Water damage restoration requires the "Water Restoration Technician" certification, but other certifications may be useful, for instance, Applied Microbial Remediation and Applied Structural Drying.
How does the insurance compatibility work?
A good restoration company will work directly with an insurance company. A company telling you otherwise should raise red flags. In addition to working directly with your insurance adjuster, your project manager will also ensure you receive the standard of care within the limits of your policy. By communicating directly with your insurance adjuster, your restoration team can expedite the process.
What is the company's reputation and business rating?
When researching restoration companies, read online reviews and ask around. If a restoration company has been in business for a long time, there should be a lot of positive reviews online. Take the time to read their response, even if they have some negative comments. How a company responds to a bad review speaks volumes about its professionalism and attitude. In addition, the restoration industry relies heavily on word-of-mouth advertising. It is likely that someone can tell you how a company performed, whether it was good or bad. In addition to online reviews and a good reputation, the company should be accredited by the Better Business Bureau.
What is the companies response time?
Restoration professionals will realize the importance of restoring the property as quickly as possible when there is a fire or water damage. Thus, most restoration companies provide 24-hour emergency services and respond quickly to calls. Lack of response within a reasonable amount of time, barring extenuating circumstances such as a storm overload, makes a company appear unprofessional or inconsiderate. Many companies create a waiting list in overloaded situations and even refer you to other reputable ones so your emergency can be dealt with as soon as possible.
Knowing what to look for makes it easier to deal with a disaster at home and less stressful. You can experience peace of mind that you never thought you would have in a crisis with an experienced agency.
If you experience any of the disasters listed above, contact Restoration 1 Northwest Arkansas and have your home restored by a reputable company.