Dealing with cleanup after water damage is stressful for most homeowners. Most of us never think about having to call a water damage mitigation company, and if we ever do, we’re not sure who to use. Many questions float through your mind: Will insurance pay for it? Is mold growing? What do I do?
Good news, you aren’t in this alone. We’ve created this short guide to help you choose a flood mitigation company and get your home and life back in order.
Before you choose a flood mitigation company to work on your home, ask…
How long have they been in business? Are they local?
We see it all the time after a populated area experiences a natural disaster like a flood or microburst of rain, contractors from all over and out of state migrate to the area to offer their services. That’s not necessarily a bad thing when there’s a lot of work to be done. Unfortunately, some of these contractors are brand-new to the business and just capitalizing on an opportunity. That doesn’t mean they will do shoddy work, but choosing a provider with a history of business and good references is a safer bet, especially if they aren’t local and would be leaving after the work is completed.
Are they certified?
Above all else, choose a certified restoration professional. We are specially trained and use techniques and practices that help us to secure and protect your home and property before and during the mitigation process. Certification also means we’re held to a standard that requires us to restore your home to pre-loss condition.
Do they have positive reviews from previous clients?
In this day and age, it’s hard to find a company that’s been around for a while and doesn’t have any reviews or references. If you can’t readily find customer reviews, ask the mitigation company to share contact info for previous clients so you can check on their quality of work and operating practices. Knowing how they behave after they win the business and secure a job is very important. Pre-restoration is the honeymoon stage.
How quickly do they respond to questions?
You should get an idea of how the company or contractor operates by reading reviews or talking to past clients. One of the things you’ll want to look for is; how responsive are they when customers ask a question? Do they make it a point to reply within 1 hour? Do they point their clients to the correct information, so they feel confident and secure throughout the cleanup and restoration process? Are they slow to reply and short with their answers?
Will they work with your insurance company?
A crucial question for every potential water damage company you interview. Can they work with your insurance directly, and will they. At Umpire, we have created an extraordinarily straightforward and streamlined process that homeowners and insurance companies appreciate. Our team understands this is a stressful time for you and that you just want your home or business restored quickly. We coordinate with your insurance agent and adjuster throughout the process and make sure you have as stress-free an experience as possible.
Contact Umpire anytime to learn more about fire, water, and mold mitigation, as well as industry news and tips for keeping your home safe and protected.
