How to Choose a Restoration Company: 8 Questions to Ask

Choosing the Right Restoration Company After Disaster

When disaster strikes your home or business, you will have restoration companies calling within hours : some legitimate professionals, some less so. In the aftermath of hurricanes and major storms in Florida, the problem intensifies as out-of-state “storm chasers” flood the market looking for quick paydays. Choosing the wrong contractor can mean substandard work, inflated costs, and even insurance fraud committed in your name.

Here are the eight essential questions that separate true restoration professionals from opportunists : and the answers you should expect from any company you consider hiring.

1. Are You IICRC Certified?

The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is the gold standard in the restoration industry. Look for certifications like WRT (Water Restoration Technician), FSRT (Fire and Smoke Restoration Technician), AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician), and ASD (Applied Structural Drying). Companies should be willing to show their technicians’ certification cards and prove they are current : IICRC certifications require continuing education to maintain.

An IICRC-certified firm has demonstrated that it maintains qualified personnel, follows industry standards, and carries appropriate insurance. Many insurance carriers specifically require IICRC-certified contractors for claim approval.

2. Are You a Licensed Florida Contractor?

Florida requires contractors performing reconstruction work to hold a valid state contractor’s license. Ask for their license number and verify it at myfloridalicense.com. Unlicensed work can void your insurance coverage, leave you liable for injuries to workers, and create legal problems that persist long after the restoration is complete.

Be aware that some companies perform mitigation work (water extraction, drying, mold removal) without a contractor’s license but then subcontract the reconstruction to someone else. This creates accountability gaps and coordination delays.

3. Do You Handle Both Restoration AND Reconstruction?

Many restoration companies only handle the initial cleanup and drying : then you need to find and hire a separate general contractor for the rebuild. This approach creates scheduling gaps, communication breakdowns, finger-pointing between companies, and delays that extend your project by weeks. A full-service company like WrightWay Emergency Services handles everything from emergency extraction through final reconstruction : one company, one point of contact, one seamless timeline.

4. Do You Work Directly With Insurance Companies?

Professional restoration companies should be thoroughly experienced with insurance claims documentation, able to provide Xactimate estimates (the industry-standard estimating software used by adjusters nationwide), and willing to document additional damage when it is discovered during the restoration process. Ask specifically about their billing process and what documentation they provide to support your insurance claim.

5. What Is Your Emergency Response Time?

For water damage especially, response time is critical : every hour of delay increases damage exponentially and raises the risk of mold growth. A reputable company offers 24/7/365 emergency service with response times under 2 hours in their service area. Ask about their after-hours dispatch process. Is it an answering service, or does a live project manager answer the phone? The answer reveals a lot about their commitment to emergency response.

6. What Equipment Do You Own?

Professional restoration requires significant capital investment in specialized equipment. Ask about their fleet of LGR dehumidifiers, high-velocity air movers, air scrubbers with HEPA filtration, thermal imaging cameras, calibrated moisture meters, truck-mounted extraction units, and desiccant dehumidifiers for large commercial losses. Companies that rent all their equipment may face availability issues during peak demand periods : exactly when you need them most.

7. Do You Provide Thorough Documentation?

Documentation protects you and supports your insurance claim. Look for companies that provide detailed moisture readings, daily drying logs, progress photos at every phase, and comprehensive before-and-after documentation. Advanced companies use Matterport 3D scanning for virtual property tours and drone photography for aerial documentation. This level of documentation is especially valuable for insurance claims and can mean the difference between full payment and underpayment.

8. Can You Provide Local References and Reviews?

Check Google reviews, BBB ratings, and ask for references from recent local projects similar in scope to yours. A company with a strong local reputation has more at stake than one passing through town. Also verify they carry adequate general liability insurance (at least $1 million) and workers’ compensation coverage : request certificates of insurance before work begins.

Red Flags That Should Disqualify a Company

• Unsolicited door-knocking after a storm : this is the hallmark of storm chasers who follow hurricanes from state to state
• Requesting large upfront cash payments : legitimate restoration companies work on standard payment terms and provide thorough documentation for insurance claims
• Pressuring you to sign an Assignment of Benefits (AOB) immediately : take time to read and understand any document before signing
• No physical office in your area : a local presence means local accountability
• Unwilling to provide license numbers, certification cards, or insurance certificates : professionals are proud of their credentials and share them readily
• Offering to waive your insurance deductible : this is illegal in Florida and constitutes insurance fraud

WrightWay Emergency Services is IICRC-certified, licensed in Florida, locally owned, and handles complete restoration through reconstruction : one company, one point of contact, one commitment to quality. Call (941) 379-8669 to learn why Southwest Florida trusts WrightWay.