Top 6 Tips For Choosing a Home Restoration Company
If your home has suffered damage in a recent hail or wind storm, quick action is vital to ensure your exteriors and interiors don’t experience further problems. Finding a reputable home restoration company on the fly is not advisable, as this can be a stressful and overwhelming time for any homeowner.
It’s best to be prepared, which is why we have listed the top six tips for choosing a home restoration company you can trust. Home restoration companies in general can provide repairs to roofing, siding, windows, and other exteriors that have been damaged by a storm. They can also provide interior restoration services such as when water damage has occurred.
1. Call Your Insurance Company
After a storm, the first step is to get in touch with your insurance company to notify them of the incident. They will send out an adjuster to evaluate the damage. Most insurance companies will provide you with a list of their preferred local restoration companies, but you can use anyone you want. This is where the research process will come in.
2. Identify Certified Companies
Home restoration involves many specialized processes, so make sure the company you choose holds the appropriate licenses, training, insurance, and any other required standards. Make sure the company you choose has experience restoring the type of exterior that has been damaged, such as roofing, gutters, and siding. However, because storms can wreak havoc on multiple exteriors, you want to choose a contractor that specializes in many areas for a one-stop-shop.
Other restoration services you may need include:
- Mold remediation
- Fire and smoke damage restoration
- Stone and tile cleaning
- Water damage restoration
- Floor maintenance
- House cleaning
3. Check Availability and Response Times
Restoration contractors should ideally be among the first responders to your house after a storm or natural disaster. They can help clean up the initial mess, and take steps to preserve and protect your home from further damage. Look for a company that is available 24/7, as storms don’t always wait for 9 to 5. A company that can provide a quick response to emergencies is worth its weight in gold.
4. Check References and Recommendations
In addition to the recommendations you received from your homeowners insurance company, ask for first-hand recommendations from friends, family, and neighbors, as well as third-party review platforms such as Yelp, Google, and social media. When consulting references, have a list of questions ready to ask. Did they charge a reasonable cost for the services provided? Did they show up quickly? Would you hire them again? These questions can help you glean important information that will support your decision on which company to hire.
5. Ask About Restoration Cost and Timeline
Before hiring a contractor, be sure to get an estimate on cost as well as timeline. In the case of widespread damage that affects several neighborhoods, it’s important to know when they can get to your house and perform the work. Are you in line behind 10 other homeowners? Are you first on the list? How long will the job itself take? Do you have to relocate while the work is going on?
After a storm, home restoration companies will send a representative to assess the damage and talk about what needs to be done to fix it. They will also provide the homeowner with a quote. If you have the time, it’s wise to get quotes from at least three companies to get a good idea of typical pricing. Ask if the total quoted cost covers cleanup, repair, restorations, materials, and labor, as well as miscellaneous services like dumping fees. To avoid surprises later, review the quote carefully.
6. Be Alert to Scammers
Unfortunately, some home restoration companies take advantage of stressed and confused homeowners in the aftermath of a storm. Known as “storm chasers,” these companies will try to scam you during your most vulnerable time. Here are some red flags to keep an eye out for.
- Prices that seem too good to be true. Quality restoration services aren’t cheap, so don’t be taken in by a company quoting suspiciously low prices.
- Cash payments upfront. No reputable company will ask for all cash upfront before doing any of the work. They may, however, ask for a deposit, which is common industry practice. Still, don’t pay cash: only use check or credit card.
- No credentials, certifications, or references. If the company can’t supply you with any of these, go with someone else.
Book a FREE Inspection With Our Home Restoration Contractors
You won’t regret partnering with us for your home restoration work. Our contractors have more than 11 years of experience providing home restoration services and filing homeowner insurance claims to save you an average of $20,000 per claim. To find out if you qualify, contact us for your FREE home inspection. Our comprehensive storm restoration service extends beyond your roof to help cover gutters, windows, siding ‒ even interior restoration. We service homeowners throughout Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and DC.