Towson Restoration Professionals: How to Choose 

It's the last thing on your mind when you buy a house to worry about the different kinds of damage it can sustain. Weather, burst pipes, or broken appliances can cause extensive damage to a home. You can lose your entire structure and contents if you do not address water damage. Damages caused by fire, no matter how small, can be devastating. Mold in a house is unsightly, potentially dangerous, and damaging. To get your home back to its pre-loss condition, you need to call a professional restoration company no matter the damage. But how do you choose whom to call? Choosing a restoration company to handle the damage to your home involves several different factors. Here is what to look for when you are in need of a restoration professional. 

What is their certification?

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 industry. In order to renew certification year after year, the IICRC maintains strict standards for its member companies and their employees in terms of ongoing training. The "Water Restoration Technician" certification is necessary to handle water damage restoration, but other certifications can be helpful, for example, Applied Microbial Remediation and Applied Structural Drying.

What is the insurance compatibility? 

The best restoration companies work directly with insurance companies. It should set off red flags when a company tells you otherwise. In addition to working directly with your insurance adjuster, your project manager will also make sure that you receive the industry standard of care within your policy limits. Your restoration team can expedite the process by communicating directly with your insurance adjuster. 

What is their reputation and business rating?

Check online reviews and ask around when researching restoration companies. Restoration companies with a long track record should have a wide range of positive reviews online. Even if they have some negative comments, take the time to read their response. The way a company handles a bad review reveals a lot about its attitude and professionalism. Additionally, the restoration industry relies heavily on word-of-mouth advertising. Someone will likely be able to tell you how a company performed, whether it was good or bad. As well as online reviews and an overall good reputation, the company should be accredited by the Better Business Bureau. 

What is their response time?

When there is fire or water damage, the restoration professional will understand the importance of restoring the property as soon as possible. Most restoration companies, therefore, offer 24/7 emergency service and offer quick response times. When a company fails to respond within a reasonable amount of time, barring extenuating circumstances such as an overload of calls during a storm, they are not being professional or considerate. In overloaded situations, many companies will create a waitlist and even refer you to other reputable companies to ensure that your emergency is dealt with as quickly as possible.

A home disaster can be stress-inducing, but knowing what to look for in a restoration company can remove some of the guesswork. An experienced agency will offer you the peace of mind you never thought you could have in a crisis. 

In the event that your home has suffered any of the disasters listed above, contact Restoration 1 Towson and have a reputable company restore your home.