How to Choose a Water Damage Restoration Company: 8 Things to Check

How to Choose a Water Damage Restoration Company: 8 Things to Check

During a water emergency, you'll have contractors calling your phone within hours of filing a claim — or even showing up at your door without being called. Here's how to separate the certified professionals from the opportunists.

Check 1: IICRC Certification

The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is the industry's primary credentialing body. Key certifications:

• WRT (Water Restoration Technician): Core certification for residential water damage
• ASD (Applied Structural Drying): Advanced drying techniques
• AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician): Mold remediation
• FSRT (Fire and Smoke Restoration Technician): For fire-related water damage

How to verify: Search the company name at iicrc.org under "Find a Certified Firm." Individual technician certifications can be verified by license number. If a company cannot provide this documentation, move on.

Check 2: State Contractor License

Restoration involves both remediation and reconstruction. License requirements vary by state:

• Texas: TDLR contractor license for reconstruction; mold remediation requires separate TDLR Mold Remediation Contractor license
• Florida: DBPR contractor license; mold remediation requires specific Florida Mold-Related Services license
• Arizona: ROC (Registrar of Contractors) license required for remediation and reconstruction

How to verify: Use the state licensing board's online lookup. Accept no substitutes — an unlicensed contractor means no recourse if work is poor or damages occur.

Check 3: Liability Insurance and Workers' Compensation

Request a Certificate of Insurance before any work begins. You need:

• General liability: Minimum $1M per occurrence, $2M aggregate
• Workers' compensation: Active coverage for all employees on-site

If a worker is injured on your property and the contractor lacks workers' comp, your homeowner's insurance may be responsible. Verify the certificate shows your address or project as the named site.

Check 4: Written Estimate Before Work Begins

Emergency water extraction can (and should) begin before a full estimate is prepared — delaying extraction by 12 hours to get three quotes is worse than the cost difference. However:

• Emergency extraction and drying is a defined scope — request a written authorization for that scope before signing anything
• Reconstruction work (replacing drywall, flooring, painting) should have written estimates from multiple contractors

Any company that says they "can't provide an estimate until after they start" and wants a broad authorization is a red flag.

Check 5: Avoid Assignment of Benefits (AOB)

AOB is a legal document transferring your insurance rights to the contractor. The contractor then files and negotiates your claim directly with the insurer.

In states with problematic AOB history (Florida especially), AOB has been used by dishonest contractors to inflate claims, generate disputes, and leave homeowners with contractor liens.

Legitimate restoration companies work alongside you and your adjuster — they don't need to own your claim. If a company's first question is "can you sign this AOB?" treat it as a red flag.

Check 6: Ask About Their Drying Documentation

Professional restoration creates a paper trail: moisture readings, equipment logs, temperature and humidity readings, and psychrometric data. This documentation:

• Proves drying was completed to IICRC standard
• Is required by many insurance carriers to approve claims
• Protects you if mold appears months later

Ask: "Will you provide daily drying logs and final clearance documentation?" A professional company will say yes without hesitation.

Check 7: Verify Local Reviews and References

Focus on reviews that mention:

• Response time and professionalism during emergencies
• Communication with insurance adjusters
• Final outcome of drying/reconstruction
• Whether moisture readings were shared

Be skeptical of companies with only 5-star reviews and no detailed descriptions — these can be manufactured. Look for Google My Business profiles with photos and responses to negative reviews.

Check 8: Storm Chaser / Out-of-Town Red Flags

After major disasters, restoration companies travel from other regions to work. Some are legitimate IICRC-certified firms expanding temporarily. But watch for:

• No local address or local license
• Demanding upfront cash payment
• Arriving uninvited within hours of a disaster
• Pressure to sign anything immediately
• No physical business presence you can verify

Preference for local companies with established track records isn't just trust — it's insurance for follow-up if problems arise months later.