There's no doubt that fire can be unimaginably destructive. Still, many people underestimate the damage the smoke and the water and flame retardants used to extinguish the blaze can do. All three elements require a different approach when it comes to restoration and cleanup.
Because of the critical role a fire restoration company plays in ensuring your home or business recovers, it’s vital to find the right one. Knowing what to look for can make the choice easier in an already stressful time.
Here are some of the primary elements to look for when choosing a fire damage restoration company:
Certification
Certification is one of the essential factors to consider when choosing a fire restoration company. Make sure they have all the necessary state and local certifications that will legally allow them to provide restoration services and that they are up to date.
Look for Cleaning and Restoration Certification from the Institute of Inspection in particular, but also pay attention to the company's sub-certifications that specify the additional specialized services they can provide. Some examples of these services include commercial and structural drying and mold remediation.
Expertise and Experience
Besides having the proper certification, the company's employees should also be fully licensed and well-trained fire-damage experts, able to handle a wide range of scenarios.
While expertise is crucial, hands-on experience is arguably more important. Every case of fire damage needs the utmost care since incorrect assumptions early on can prolong or derail the restoration unnecessarily. With adequate experience, such misconceptions are less likely to happen.
Make sure that the fire restoration company you choose has more than enough experience and has handled a good deal of similar restoration projects.
Referrals and testimonials
Get first-hand information from the company's past clients regarding their experiences working with each particular fire restoration company. You can also ask for recommendations from other sources, such as your insurance carrier.
Rather than fixating on a single negative or positive review, look for a pattern. Even the best companies have a few outliers in their feedback profiles.
Explore specialties
Different fire restoration companies have different areas they specialize in. Every asset is different, so the company should handle and treat it differently. Assess your assets, determine your priorities, and look for a company specializing in that area.
Recovery time
Seconds can make the difference between being able to recover an item and having to replace it. Choose a company that offers rapid response times. They should also provide sound advice on the actions to take when salvaging possessions from a fire.
Detailed schedule
A good fire restoration company should provide an in-depth, estimated completion date and a detailed schedule of the steps their team will take during the recovery process.
Storage facilities
Some companies offer storage facilities. If they do, find out more information about those facilities such as storage space and other conditions like security and temperature control. Likewise, inquire whether the company provides packing services and how accurate they are at keeping records.
Costs
Most fire restoration companies will provide a free consultation regarding the work to be done. While these costs typically vary based on the extent of damage, having an estimate allows you to pick the option that falls closer to the amount you are willing to spend.
With these few factors and considerations, you should be able to pick a fire restoration company that can meet your expectations. In Fort Worth, SERVPRO is the industry leader.
Why SERVPRO?
SERVPRO is an all-in-one fire restoration and water cleanup company that has served Fort Worth for over 50 years. Their services include mold removal, commercial cleaning services, building restoration services, and more, to ensure you can get your home or business back to normal with just one phone call.
For more information about fire restoration services, contact SERVPRO of Northeast Ft. Worth.
