How to Choose a Water Damage Restoration Company
Eight specific checks to separate IICRC-certified professionals from unlicensed storm chasers. Written without contractor sponsorship.
Quick answer
Choose on four things you can verify before anyone enters your house, and ignore everything else. First, the license your state requires, searched on the state's own site rather than read off a card. Second, IICRC certification held by the technician assigned to your job, not just by the firm — ask for the name and check it at iicrc.org. Third, a current certificate of general liability and workers' compensation sent by their insurance agent. Fourth, a written line-item scope listing rooms, materials to be removed, equipment counts and expected days. A company that answers all four without hesitation is the one to hire. To reach a company that answers all four checks, call (888) 840-6512, answered 24/7.
Press 1 for water damage or 2 for mold, then your 5-digit ZIP. The line goes quiet for about half a minute while it connects — that is normal, stay on. Have ready: the address with ZIP, when the water started, what is wet now, and whether you have opened an insurance claim.
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 ask every company we refer to for the items on the 8-point checklist above — IICRC certification, state licensing and current insurance — and we tell you to ask for them again before work starts, because a certificate can lapse between our check and your job. We are paid per qualified call by the restoration company, not by you, and not for recommending one firm over another.
Company Selection Questions
Is IICRC certification required by law?
IICRC certification is voluntary — it is NOT a legal requirement in most states. However, many insurance companies require IICRC-certified contractors for covered work.
More importantly, IICRC certification means technicians have been trained to IICRC S500 and S520 standards — the industry benchmark for safe and effective restoration.
Can I use any restoration company or does insurance dictate who?
You have the legal right to choose your own contractor in every state. Insurance companies can recommend their preferred vendors (called 'TPAs' — third-party administrators) but cannot require you to use them.
Preferred vendors may have faster billing workflows, but they also have incentives to keep claim costs low for the insurer.
How many estimates should I get?
For emergency work, get one estimate from a reputable IICRC-certified company and start immediately — delays cost more than a second estimate saves. For non-emergency work (mold remediation, reconstruction), get 2–3 estimates. Make sure all estimates use the same scope so they're comparable.
What is storm chasing and how do I spot it?
Storm chasers are out-of-area contractors who follow major storms into affected markets, often operating unlicensed or with expired insurance.
Signs: they're at your door within hours of a storm without being called; they pressure you to sign immediately; they can't provide a local business address or license number; they ask you to sign an Assignment of Benefits form as a condition of starting work.
Who do I call right now for water damage?
Call (888) 840-6512. The line is answered 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and connects you with an IICRC-certified water damage restoration company that serves your area. Describe what you can see — where the water is coming from, how long it has been there, and whether it smells — the more specific you are, the faster the right company is on the line.
If the source is a pipe or an appliance, shut the main water valve first. Have four things ready and the call goes quickly: the address, when the water started, what is wet now, and whether you have filed an insurance claim.
Still not sure which of these is your situation? (888) 840-6512 · toll-free · answered 24/7