Studies show that 98% of basements in the United States will experience some form of water damage. Water damage affects thousands of people each year and is often inevitable, especially if you live in an area prone to flooding or extreme weather. However, attempting to do water damage cleanup services on your own can lead to other problems, like mold growth in your home. To get help with water damage repair or water damage restoration, it is best to hire a professional water damage service. Do you want to learn more about hiring the best water damage restoration services for your cleanup in Naperville, IL and the Northwest Suburbs? Keep reading this guide for the top 10 tips to follow when hiring a company!
1. Prioritize Experience
When you are hiring a water damage restoration company, you must prioritize finding a company with experience. If you are looking for the most qualified contractor to help, they will likely have years of experience in the industry. While you may be able to save a bit of money by hiring a newer company, they may still be new to the trade and unfamiliar with some common problems that will arise. A more experienced contractor will be able to take care of your water damage and mold clean up more efficiently and will be able to prevent further damage to your home. Plus, you can be sure that an experienced company has the right training and qualifications to work safely in your home. They have satisfied customers and will be more likely to offer high-quality services to you as well.
2. Find a Certified, Licensed, & Insured Company
It is also essential that you verify your water damage restoration company's qualifications before you hire them. You need to make sure they have gone through the right training and steps to be a reliable business. First, you need to make sure you find a company that is licensed. Most states require contractors to get a contracting license in order to perform work in the state. To get this license, they need the right training and experience. You should also find a company that is fully insured. Whenever you have someone working on your property, there is a chance that they could get injured or cause property damage. If they are not insured, you may be held liable for their injuries or the damage they caused. Finding an insured company will ensure that you are not held responsible for these potential accidents.
Finally, you must learn more about the company's training and certifications. One common certification you can look for is the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification, also known as the IICRC. Companies with this certification will be up-to-date on the best practices to follow for water damage restoration.
3. Ask About the Equipment
You should also ask your water damage service for more information about the equipment they will use in your home. When you hire a professional service, they will provide higher-quality equipment that will remove the water more efficiently. Some water damage cleanup equipment they should use include pumps and extraction equipment, fans, dehumidifiers, and more. You should make sure they use professional-grade equipment that will provide you with the best results for your water damage restoration. This will ensure that the job is done correctly and will lower the chance of your home developing mold or other problems in the future.
4. Consider Availability
When you need a water damage emergency service, you also need to consider the availability of the company that you choose. When there is some type of flooding in your home, you need to find a company that will provide prompt cleanup. If they cannot respond immediately, the standing water in your home may lead to mold growth and further damage to your home and belongings. Often, water damage restoration companies provide 24/7 services. If you can find a company with fast availability, you will be able to prevent a lot of unnecessary damage!
5. What Is Included in Services?
To make sure you get everything you need from the water damage restoration service, you must learn more about what is included in their services. For example, some companies may only help with the water removal and drying of your home. However, this will not do much to prevent mold from growing in the future. Instead, you need to find a company that offers complete restoration services. This includes water mitigation, water removal, drying and dehumidifying, cleaning and sanitizing, and more. Some companies will even offer services to replace damaged building materials like flooring and drywall. Make sure you know exactly what is included in the service so you can get the best value for your money.
6. Research Reputation
Reputation is another important factor that you need to consider when hiring a company to work in your home. You must make sure a company has provided high-quality services and has satisfied its past customers! One way you can do this is by looking at their online reviews. This will give you information about the experiences past customers have had working with a customer. If most of the customers were satisfied with the services they received, you will likely be satisfied as well. While you research the company's reputation, make sure you keep an eye out for a pattern of negative reviews or serious complaints from customers. This way, you can recognize red flags in a company and avoid hiring an unreliable water damage restoration service.
7. Consider Insurance Coverage
Before you choose a company to work with, you should also consider your insurance coverage. If you live in an area that is prone to flooding, it is likely that you have flood insurance to protect you from this water type of water damage. You must make sure you choose a service that accepts your type of insurance. This way, you will not have to pay for the cost of water damage restoration out of pocket. In some cases, your insurance company will not cover the loss. Still, you need to dry out your home as quickly as possible to prevent mold from growing in your home and causing potential problems with your health. If your insurance will not cover the services, you should consider each of the other factors before choosing a company.
8. Get an Estimate
Next, you must get an estimate for the services that a water damage restoration company will provide for you. Most companies will provide you with a free pricing estimate for your water damage services so you can see whether or not they fit your budget. While this allows you to shop around for companies that fit your needs, you should still consider more than just price when choosing a company. You should also ask for an estimate of the timetable for your water damage restoration project. The amount of time it takes may depend on the size of your property and the extent of your damage. Still, this will help you know what to expect from your services.
9. Search for a Guarantee
It is also important that you search for a company that offers a guarantee in their company. While a company may not be able to guarantee that mold will not grow after a flood, you can find a company that will guarantee their work. If something does go wrong with the services they performed, this guarantee will ensure that the company comes back and makes it right! This will protect you financially and will keep you from having to pay for the same services multiple times.
10. Ask About Their Process
Finally, you must ask about the process that a company uses when they help with water damage restoration services. What steps do they take to restore your home? What tools do they use? How far out do they schedule? Not only will this help you learn more about the quality of services that a company offers, but it will also help you know what to expect when you need their help. Make sure you learn more about specific steps of the process to ensure that they provide thorough restoration services for homeowners.
Looking for a Water Damage Service in Naperville, IL? We Can Help!
Finding the right company for your water damage repair is necessary if you want to get the highest quality services. By following these tips, you can find a reliable company for your water damage restoration needs! If you are looking for a water damage service in Naperville, IL, or anywhere in the Northwest Suburbs, Zero Mold can help! We provide non-toxic mold solutions and water damage services to prevent long-term damage to your home.
Contact us today to learn more about our services and to schedule a service with our water damage restoration experts!