How to Choose a Water Damage Restoration Company
Eight specific checks to separate IICRC-certified professionals from unlicensed storm chasers. Written without contractor sponsorship.
8 Things to Check Before Hiring
IICRC Certification
How to check
Visit iicrc.org and search "Certified Firm" or verify individual technician certifications. The technician who shows up should have an IICRC certification card — not just the company.
Red flag
Company claims IICRC certification but can't provide a firm ID number. Individual technicians are unlicensed even if the company has a certification.
State Contractor License
How to check
TX: Verify with TDLR (tdlr.texas.gov). FL: Verify with DBPR (myfloridalicense.com). AZ: Verify with ROC (azroc.gov). License must be current and in good standing.
Red flag
Contractor can't provide a license number, or the license is expired, suspended, or belongs to someone else.
Active Liability & Workers' Comp Insurance
How to check
Request a Certificate of Insurance (COI) naming you as a certificate holder. Verify the insurance is current — call the insurer directly if in doubt.
Red flag
Contractor can't produce a COI on request, has coverage limits below $1M general liability, or workers' comp is excluded.
Written Estimate Before Work Begins
How to check
Legitimate contractors provide a written scope of work with line-item pricing before major work begins. Emergency extraction may start before a full estimate — but you should have one within 24 hours.
Red flag
Contractor refuses to provide a written estimate, quotes only hourly rates, or presents terms only after work is underway.
No Pressure Assignment of Benefits (AOB)
How to check
Ask the contractor explicitly: 'Do you require Assignment of Benefits to start work?' A legitimate contractor will say no and work directly with you and your adjuster.
Red flag
Contractor presents AOB as required and pressures you to sign before any assessment is done.
Local Physical Address
How to check
Search the company name + city in Google and Google Maps. Verify they have a local office, not just a PO Box. Check their BBB profile and state contractor database for the address.
Red flag
Company has no local address, uses a national call center number, showed up unsolicited after a storm, or can't tell you which city they're based in.
Verifiable Reviews
How to check
Check Google Reviews, BBB, and Yelp. Look for patterns in negative reviews: slow response, billing disputes, failure to finish work, or mold found after dry-out. A company with 500+ reviews and 4.5+ is a good signal.
Red flag
All reviews are generic 5-stars posted within a few weeks. No reviews over 6 months old. BBB complaints about billing or incomplete work.
Moisture Monitoring Documentation
How to check
Ask: 'Will you provide daily moisture readings in writing until the structure meets IICRC dry standard?' Reputable companies use software like DryBook or DASH to log readings automatically.
Red flag
Contractor can't explain what IICRC S500 dry standard is, doesn't use moisture meters during the job, or can't provide moisture logs for your insurance claim.
National Franchise vs. Local Restoration Company
| Factor | National Franchise | Local Company |
|---|---|---|
| Brand recognition | High | Varies |
| Response time | Usually fast (large fleet) | Varies by company |
| Insurance relationships | Pre-negotiated rates | Negotiates per job |
| Community accountability | Low (franchise turnover) | High (reputation-driven) |
| Technician quality control | Standardized training | Owner-supervised |
| Pricing flexibility | Less flexible | More negotiable |
| IICRC certification | Usually required | Verify independently |
Both can be excellent or poor — IICRC certification and the 8-point check above apply equally to national and local companies.
How HearthDry Selects Companies We Refer
We only refer homeowners to companies that meet every item on the 8-point checklist above. We verify IICRC certification, state licensing, and insurance currency. We do not accept payment from contractors for referrals — our monetization is pay-per-call (homeowners call us; we help triage and dispatch). This means our incentive is always to connect you with the most qualified local pro, not the highest-paying one.