After a property loss, you have the right to hire any contractor you choose to handle your repairs. It’s your home, and you get to decide who you trust to get the job done.
The good news is, you have options. No matter who you choose, your restoration contractor should handle your restoration with care and compassion. You should be comfortable with the contractor you hire and trust that they’ll put your best interests first.
Your insurance carrier might recommend a preferred restoration contractor who may be perfectly qualified, but ultimately the choice is yours. Taking the time to understand your options and ask questions will help to avoid unexpected challenges down the road.
Here are some things to consider when choosing a fire restoration contractor for your property:
Are they certified in specialized fire, smoke, and water restoration processes?
Restoring and repairing structural fire damage is a complex process that requires specialized knowledge, skill, and equipment that’s beyond the scope of a typical home remodeling project. While there are many skilled general contractors in our area who offer quality services, this is not the time to call a contractor friend or family member for a free quote.
Your fire restoration contractor should hold industry certifications in areas like fire, smoke/odor, water, and mold remediation and restoration. Working with a certified restoration professional means that your repairs will be done safely, quickly, and completely – so you won’t be displaced from your home for longer than needed, or worse, move back into a beautifully-remodeled home with lingering mold issues or smoke odor.
Rochester Fire Restoration is an IICRC Certified Firm, which means our team is trained and certified to handle the specific needs of a fire damage loss. We maintain ongoing professional development to stay up-to-date on the latest restoration standards and guidelines.
Do they have experience dealing with insurance companies?
Many homeowners have one insurance claim every twenty-six years. Your restoration contractor should have at least one every day. Choose a contractor that knows the ins and the outs of the insurance industry so that they can guide you through every step of the clean-up and restoration process.
At Rochester Fire Restoration, we deal with insurance and mortgage companies day in and day out. We’re proud to be recommended and trusted by many insurance professionals to help their clients after a fire loss. Yet, as an independent restoration firm, we work directly for you and we always put your interests first. Our established relationships with insurance adjusters and companies mean that we’re able to work with your insurance company to avoid unnecessary delays and ensure that you – our shared client – are fully satisfied.
Do they have experience handling other losses like yours?
Not all restoration companies are created equal. Some have loads of experience cleaning up the mess from water or smoke, but limited experience with the complex reconstruction process of putting your property back together. Others may specialize in specific categories like water, mold, or hazardous clean-up. While all good restoration companies will be skilled in their unique area of expertise, fire damage restoration requires a broad mix of skills that includes everything from water, smoke, and mold cleanup to general construction and remodeling expertise – often all on a single project! Be sure that the company you choose is equipped with the diverse knowledge and skills needed to handle a project of your scope and size.
Rochester Fire Restoration is an all-in-one fire restoration contractor with decades of experience handling fire damage restoration and reconstruction projects from large to small. Not only are we equipped to remediate and clean up the mess from a fire, we’re experts in handling large-scale reconstruction and remodeling projects to put your home back together quickly, safely, and beautifully.
Do they take time to listen to your concerns and answer all of your questions?
A good restoration contractor understands that while they may have handled hundreds of fire losses just like yours, this is most likely your first time dealing with a disaster situation. You’re stressed, overwhelmed, and have lots of questions. Your restoration contractor should take the time to address all of your concerns, answer your questions, and walk you through the restoration process step by step to put your mind at ease.
Do they have positive reviews and references from past customers?
Any contractor worth their weight in lumber will have a long list of satisfied customers who can attest to their professionalism, quality workmanship, and service – and they’ll be proud to show it off! In addition to checking online reviews and testimonials, don’t be afraid to ask for references to speak with specific customers who have had losses similar to yours about their experience. Your contractor should be happy to connect you with others who can attest to their positive experience with the company. We’re proud to have many satisfied customers who we’ve helped restore and rebuild their property after a fire loss. Read what our customers have to say about us.
If you’ve experienced a fire loss, contact us at Rochester Fire Restoration for full-service fire damage restoration and reconstruction.
