Imagine you’ve just come home from a busy day, only to find a flooded home with water damage! It’s every homeowner’s worst nightmare! What’s more stressful is now you’ve got to find out how to choose the right water damage company to take care of the issue.

Whether you’ve got a leaking or burst pipe, a faulty appliance, sewage water or plumbing issues, you’re going to need expert assistance.

Below we break down a step-by-step guide.

Let’s go.

Step 1: Ask Google Or Bing

If you don’t know of someone who has experienced water damage before, ask Google. Go online and look for a water damage company in your area.

Search engines and their algorithms prioritize the most reputable companies for your search query in organic results.

Step 2: Make Sure They Have Certification

Make sure the water damage company you choose is certified. Carrying out water restoration damage requires a specific type of certification.

Does your chosen water damage contractor have it?

Gaining Cleaning and Restoration Certification requires a water damage restoration technician course.

In it, contractors learn about water damage, its effects, and the techniques suitable for drying.

A contractor who doesn’t have this certification may not be legally permitted to carry out restoration work.

Then, if your water damage isn’t correctly fixed, you may not be entitled to have the damage repaired.

Always ask to see proof of certification before hiring a water damage company. You can then have peace of mind that the contractor has both the knowledge and appropriate licenses to carry out the job.

Step 3: Choose Local

We’re told all the time about the importance of shopping locally.

Choosing the right local water damage company is no different. Not only are you supporting the community in which you live, but you can also enjoy far more convenient service.

By choosing a water damage company near you, your travel fee (if applicable) can be far smaller.

You may also be able to call upon them with considerably shorter lead times. You don’t have to wait until they have more than one customer in your area before they will arrive.

Step 4: Check Their Availability

Water damage doesn’t just happen during nine to five working hours.

Instead, it happens whenever it pleases! So, the best water damage company is one that understands that and is available to assist day or night.

Check contact information for “after hours” numbers, and look for key phrases like “24/7” and “emergency water damage company.”

A water damage company that works around the clock won’t mind if you call at 3 am to a flooded basement, or in the middle of the day for leaking pipe damage.

Step 5: Offers Transparent Costs and Timeframes

Businesses that deal with water damage are well versed in the costs and time required for restoration jobs.
After all, many of them have years of experience working in all kinds of conditions. So, don’t be afraid to ask for expected costs and timeframes.

Find out the total cost of the job, as well as when they can start and finish. The more you know, the better prepared you can be. If the company you contacted is vague or refuses to offer such information, then move onto the next available company who will provide it.

However, a company would be wary of offering such information over the phone, and that’s a good thing.
Invite them to your home so they can perform an inspection of the damage.
They can then form a proper plan to take care of it, which allows you to get a more accurate gauge on the price and timeframe.

Step 6: Check If They Use Specialized Water Damage Equipment

The type of water damage equipment your chosen company uses can separate the professionals from the amateurs.
The more advanced and modern the gear, the better suited it can be for the job.
What’s more, special commercial water damage equipment can take care of the problem far quicker than inferior products for home users.

Some of the most popular equipment for water damage companies includes water extraction tools, guards to protect walls and stairs, zipper walls, turbo channel walls, and turbo ducting.

Find out how well equipped your preferred company is before you enlist their services.

Step 7: Find Out About Other Services They Offer

Some water damage companies offer a single service: water damage restoration.

Others though, provide services that link to that service to handle the side effects of it.

For example, mold is a significant problem that’s related to moisture.

It certainly helps if they can combat this health hazard, all the while getting your home back to its pre-flood status.

If you’re not sure what other services they offer, then ask.

There’s no harm in knowing so that you can contact other businesses if you can’t get an all-inclusive service.

Step 8: Check Out Their Reputation

Even if you based your decision on a recommendation from friends and family, it doesn’t hurt to check out their reputation. Fortunately, the digital age has made this a lot easier. Check out their Google and Facebook reviews and testimonials on their website. It also helps if they have before and after shots from previous projects so you can see what they are capable of.

Now That You Know How to Choose the Right Water Damage Company, What’s Next?

As long as you’ve put in the hard yards to choose a reputable water damage company, then you can sit back and relax!

Even though having to deal with water damage in your home can be stressful, the right company can take all that stress from your shoulders.

Don’t delay in getting the water damage restoration process underway.