Whatever caused the initial damage to your house, the last thing you want to do is make anything worse. That effort may have encouraged you to look for emergency restoration companies or someone may have referred you to a company or two.
As you’re looking through company websites or calling around, how do you know which company you can trust? After all, this company will be responsible for restoring your home and helping preserve the precious memories made there. Thankfully, there are 7 red flags to avoid when considering restoration services and a clear choice for Edison, Union, Westfield, and Piscataway property owners—Paul Davis Restoration of Mid-Central, NJ.
Red Flag 1: No Local Presence or Slow Response Time
Even when there’s not a need for emergency restoration work, time is always of the essence when it comes to restoration services. A company that doesn’t have an office in your area won’t reach your address without significant delay. That precious time could result in further damage and a more expensive cleanup.
The same goes for companies that don’t respond to requests quickly. If the company you’re reaching out to doesn’t respond to your calls within 30 minutes, it’s likely they’re equally slow to reach your address. Slow or delayed responses can jeopardize restoration services, so look for local companies that respond fast.
Red Flag 2: Lack of Certifications
As you’re researching possible restoration companies, consider what certifications the company boasts. In the restoration services industry, the IICRC or Institute of Inspection, Cleaning, and Restoration Certification, provides the most recognized standards and certifications. The IICRC also coordinates with the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to develop industry-wide standards guiding how quality restoration work is completed.
Companies that are not certified with IICRC or similar agencies like ACAC (American Council for Accredited Certification) are not taking steps to ensure their teams have the best training possible. It also demonstrates that they may not have as high of standards as other companies. For example, at Paul Davis Restoration of Mid-Central, NJ we’re members of the IICRC and ACAC and train our technicians in IICRC-approved courses because we believe in doing the best work possible for our clients.
Red Flag 3: No Insurance or Liability Coverage
If a company offering restoration services isn’t insured or doesn’t have liability coverage, it can leave you vulnerable if the work isn’t completed properly. First, it could signal that the company is unwilling or unable to get insurance. This might be out of apathy or be the result of a history of dangerous and illegal work. Or, their lack of insurance could demonstrate that they’re looking to cut corners and costs by foregoing basic expenses, like insurance.
There’s also the risk that if you do select a company without insurance, you won’t be able to get compensation when you inevitably sue them for their shoddy work. If your damages exceed their assets it could leave you without any recourse for getting your home fixed or your money back. At Paul Davis Restoration of Mid-Central, NJ, we can’t wear the Paul Davis logo without meeting high insurance coverage requirements. This gives you peace of mind throughout the process.
Red Flag 4: Poor Reviews or No References
Likewise, a history of poor reviews indicates a company that isn’t interested in providing the best service possible for its clients. When reputable companies receive negative reviews, two things happen. First, they reach out to the reviewer to try to address their concerns and, if the review has merit, go to work resolving the issue. Then, the company works with staff to figure out how the problem occurred and what can be done to avoid it in the future. A company that receives consistently poor reviews probably isn’t working with clients to resolve problems or training staff to prevent them.
Also, a company without references likely indicates that the company is new or untrustworthy. Generally speaking, we only refer people to companies and brands we use and trust ourselves. People likely aren’t referring to a particular company for good reason, they don’t trust them.
Red Flag 5: Limited Service Scope
When severe damage strikes, it rarely comes in one form or another. If a property restoration company only understands or focuses on one area, they may not be able to conduct complete restoration work. Even if you find the best water damage company, they won’t be effective if they don’t also understand mold, mildew, and content restoration.
The need for a broad service scope is most clear after a fire. In putting out the fire, the local fire department uses gallons of water. If a property restoration company only has expertise with fire damage, they’ll leave your home only partially restored, and likely in dangerous shape. After a fire, your restoration company must be able to address water damage and potentially mold.
At Paul Davis Restoration of Mid-Central, NJ, we offer a diverse array of restoration services for property owners in our region. From fire and smoke to biohazard cleanups, we bring expert crews to every restoration operation. This allows us to conduct complete restoration work that leaves nothing to chance.
Red Flag 6: No 24/7 Emergency Restoration Availability
If there’s one thing that’s true about every emergency, it’s that they’re never convenient. When a storm, fire, or flooding occurs outside of business hours, you can’t afford to wait for a restoration company to reopen their doors and get started on your property. A property restoration company worth your time should be available for 24/7 emergency restoration. That’s why we offer a 30-minute contact window. Within 30 minutes of your outreach, we will speak with you regarding your restoration needs and be on-site within four hours.
Red Flag 7: Lack of Transparency in Pricing or Insurance Coordination
If the company you’re considering for restoration services isn’t upfront about how they price their services or won’t offer a free quote, consider other companies. These practices indicate that the company wants to lock you into their services without giving you a clear understanding of what to expect in terms of the work, the charges, and the results.
Paul Davis is a restoration services industry leader in transparency. We pioneered the use of computerized pricing and offer a “Predict-a-dry” service to provide an upfront estimate for certified water damage restoration work. These days, we provide free estimates to give clients a clear image of the road ahead.
We’re also proud to partner with insurance companies to deliver a straightforward claims and restoration process for property owners. Our Quality Assurance department ensures a consistent standard and helps facilitate claims, so property owners can get back to normal.
Why New Jersey Trusts Paul Davis Restoration
Finding the right restoration services for your property doesn’t have to feel like entering a minefield. That’s especially true when there’s a company offering local expertise, nationwide resources, and a commitment to bettering their community. That’s what Paul Davis Restoration of Mid-Central, NJ offers Edison, Union, Westfield, Piscataway, and surrounding NJ property owners.
Our local location allows us to reach these communities in less time than competitors, giving your property the best chance of success. This is also the source of our local expertise—we’ve mastered New Jersey and local building codes and ensure our work meets these specifications. Time and again, Mid-Central, NJ property owners trust us for property restoration services.
Our service area is also our home, which is why we believe in giving back and doing right by our clients. The people and properties we serve are our neighbors and we want to see their homes and businesses looking their best as much as they do. Choose Paul Davis for Stress Free Restoration.
