Fire damage can be devastating. It is an awful experience seeing your house or building on fire. Fortunately, there are expert fire damage restoration companies available to get your property back in order after a fire.
Tips For Hiring An Expert Fire Damage Restoration Company
Hiring an expert fire damage restoration company will help clean up the mess left after a fire is put out, and it will also help take some stress off your shoulders.
Here are some tips when looking for a company to do restoration work
1. Check responsiveness and availability
To begin with, you need to be sure that the fire damage restoration company you hire will be there to respond to your questions all throughout the restoration process.
The ideal restoration company should be available 24/7. They should also have a hotline in case you need to reach out to them at any time of the day or night. You want easy and fast access to their services.
It is also important that you know how long it takes a fire damage restoration company to respond. You will need a quick assessment of the losses after the fire is extinguished. It is not a good sign if it takes too much time for your potential fire damage restoration contractor to respond.
2. Hire a company that provides a written inspection report
There are fire damage restoration companies that will take advantage of the situation and overcharge you. Many of these companies will never offer you written documents in any form. They mostly prefer verbal communication and agreements. Beware of companies like these as they may be misleading, exaggerating the extent of the damage.
Only hire companies that provide you with a written report of all inspections or assessments carried out. This will ensure that you do not fall into the trap of dealing with fraudulent companies. It will also ensure that the real value of the losses is correctly stated, helping you know the real cost of repairs and/or damages. Moreover, the right restoration company will recommend that you consult a third party to affirm their report.
Furthermore, good fire damage restoration companies are transparent all throughout the process. Their charges are also fair, meaning you won’t be overcharged. The purpose of their report is to help you decide if their services are within your means. The right company will ensure that there are no hidden fees attached to all that they have prepared in their report.
3. Ask to see licenses and insurance coverage
Unlicensed fire restoration companies are more likely to violate industry standards. When undertaking restoration work, they may choose to ignore safety standards for one reason or another. It is also likely that these companies use substandard materials and overcharge you for their service(s).
One way to avoid this issue is by only dealing with licensed fire damage restoration companies. These are companies that adhere to regulations. They also meet industry standards in their work. With them, you can be assured that quality materials will be used in the restoration process. They will also put everything in place to meet all safety requirements.
Dealing with an unlicensed fire restoration company is a huge gamble. These companies can even cause more damage to your house and property, leaving you to bear the cost. Additionally, you may be compelled to bear the cost of injury suffered by any of their workers working in your home.
Ideally, confirm the license and insurance coverage of a company before hiring them.
4. Pick a restoration company that works with home insurance firms
You are entitled to some compensation if your home is insured against fire. However, filling out the claim paperwork can be a hassle. The process of doing this can take days to complete. Moreover, deciding how much money you should receive as compensation can be stressful and troubling. To avoid these hassles, hire a fire damage restoration company that collaborates with insurance companies.
Many of the companies who work with insurance firms understand how to handle the paperwork required, ensuring that you get adequate compensation. They can also help you in the process by generating an informative and comprehensive fire damage assessment report. You will get compensation from your insurance provider faster with help from such a company.
5. Check references and online reviews
To help you with the process of hiring an expert fire damage restoration company, read online reviews and seek references. Check and gather information from those who used the services of your potential company.
Furthermore, the information you gather from reviews will reveal any red flags to look out for– in some instances, you may find complaints about hidden fees from previous clients of a company. That is a sign to avoid such companies!
6. They must have exceptional customer service
The representatives of a restoration firm should understand and provide answers to your questions. They should fulfill your needs during the restoration process.
Additionally, the reps should be able to give you adequate information about how their companies work. They should be able to tell you how long it takes to complete fire damage restorations depending on what has occurred.
Conclusion
Fire damage can be disturbing– mentally, emotionally and physically. However, you can lessen the stress of it all by following the tips discussed. The tips will help you hire an expert fire damage restoration company that will do a proper job. In Minnesota, call Arko Restoration of Blaine, MN, at 763-434-2756 for helpful fire restoration services.