Quick answer
ServiceMaster Restore averages 1.6★ on PissedConsumer (75% unfavorable) with complaints concentrating on no-shows, slow completion and billing disputes, while prompt drying crews draw consistent praise. It is one of the oldest restoration networks (since 1929) working heavily through insurance programs. Vet the specific local office, demand a named project manager and written schedule, and remember you can decline an insurer's assignment. Call (888) 840-6512 to reach a certified water damage restoration company in your area; the line is answered 24/7.
Written & reviewed by Marcus ReedIICRC WRT
Reviewed August 19, 2026· Next review Feb 2027
ServiceMaster Restore Reviews: What the Record Shows
ServiceMaster Restore is the oldest name in this industry — cleaning and restoration since 1929, long before "restoration" was a category. Like every legacy franchise network, its reviews split between a rough brand-level average and widely varying local offices. Here is the honest read.
The Ratings
| Platform | Rating | Sample |
|---|---|---|
| PissedConsumer | 1.6★, 75% unfavorable | ~26 reviews |
| Yelp (regional operators) | ~2.9★ | small samples |
| BBB (office profiles) | varies by office | complaint logs public |
| Google (individual offices) | commonly 3.5★ – 4.7★ | per location |
The usual honesty rule: complaint platforms collect the industry's unhappy endings, and every national brand — Servpro, Paul Davis, ServiceMaster — lands between 1.4 and 1.7 stars there. The brand average identifies nothing; the complaint *themes* do.
The Themes
ServiceMaster's complaint record leans slightly differently than its rivals'. Where Roto-Rooter's record is about pricing, ServiceMaster's is about time:
- 1Missed appointments and no-shows — crews scheduled and not arriving, the most distinctive recurring complaint.
- 2Slow completion — jobs stretching weeks past estimates, concentrated in the rebuild phase.
- 3Billing disputes — liens and refund problems in a minority of accounts.
- 4Quality control on rebuilds — subcontractor finish work.
And the consistent praise: prompt drying response and courteous technicians. The pattern across the entire industry repeats here — mitigation reviews well, reconstruction generates the disputes.
Already have a quote? Compare it
National brands price from a franchise rate card. A local IICRC-certified crew often scopes the same job differently — you keep whichever quote is better.
(888) 840-6512- Tell them the scope you were quoted
- A local certified crew prices the same work
- Compare line by line — no obligation either way
What This Means Practically
If you hire ServiceMaster Restore — or accept an insurer's assignment of them — the public record tells you exactly which protections matter: schedule discipline. A named project manager with a direct number, written phase dates, day-before visit confirmations, and a weekly written status during rebuild. None of that is adversarial; good offices do it by default, and asking for it identifies whether yours is one.
Because ServiceMaster works heavily through insurance carrier programs, also know that the assignment is your choice — in every US state you may pick your own contractor. Either way, keep your own copies of the scope and moisture readings; our insurance claim checklist walks through the documentation that protects you if scope disputes arise.
What ServiceMaster Costs
Xactimate pricing, like every national: typically $3.75–$7 per sq ft for water losses, roughly $3,000–$8,000 for a moderate residential job. Full numbers in our ServiceMaster water damage cost guide.
Vetting Your Local Office
- Search "ServiceMaster Restore [your city]" — the office-level Google rating is the signal.
- Read the one-star reviews for the failure mode; if scheduling complaints repeat, weight them.
- Ask for IICRC WRT certification and documented dry-standard readings.
- Written scope before equipment, written change orders during, punch-list walkthrough before final payment.
- Compare one quote from an independent or a rival franchise; see who to call for water damage for the decision framework.
Bottom Line
ServiceMaster Restore is a legitimate, experienced network whose complaint record concentrates on scheduling rather than competence. The protections are simple and free: named contact, written dates, confirmed visits, weekly status. Apply them and the industry's oldest brand is as safe a choice as its local office deserves to be.
Reading to confirm what you already suspect?
Confirm it in two minutes instead — the pro on this line answers questions about YOUR situation all day: what it is, what it should cost, whether you even need service. If you want, they'll set the appointment on the same call.
Toll-free · no obligation · asking costs nothing
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ServiceMaster Restore a legitimate company?
YesServiceMaster Restore is one of the oldest restoration networks in the US, operating since 1929 with hundreds of franchises and deep insurance-carrier relationships.
Complaint-platform scores are low (1.6★ on PissedConsumer, 75% unfavorable), but such platforms skew negative for every national brand; individual office quality varies widely.
What do ServiceMaster Restore complaints say?
The recurring themes across public platforms: missed appointments and no-shows, slow project completion, billing disputes including liens and refund problems, and quality-control gaps on the rebuild phase.
Positive reviews consistently praise prompt drying response and courteous technicians — the mitigation half of the business reviews better than the reconstruction half.
How much does ServiceMaster charge for water damage?
ServiceMaster Restore prices with Xactimate at industry-standard rates — typically $3.75–$7 per sq ft, or roughly $3,000–$8,000 for a moderate residential water loss. See our ServiceMaster water damage cost guide for the full breakdown.
My insurer assigned ServiceMaster — can I refuse?
YesIn every US state you have the right to choose your own restoration contractor; insurer-preferred vendors are a recommendation, not a requirement.
Whether you keep the assignment or not, check that specific office's Google reviews, require a written scope before work begins, and keep copies of all moisture documentation.
ServiceMaster vs Servpro — which is better?
At brand level they are near-twins: old national franchises, Xactimate pricing, insurance-program volume, and office-dependent quality with the same complaint themes (communication, rebuild delays, billing).
The meaningful comparison is your two local offices — their Google ratings, certifications, and how quickly each produces a written scope.
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
Sources
- PissedConsumer — ServiceMaster Restore Reviews
- This Old House — ServiceMaster Restore Review
- ConsumersAdvocate — ServiceMaster Restore Review
Methodology: How we source and verify data · Report an error
Disclaimer: HearthDry is an independent educational resource. This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute professional, legal, or insurance advice. Consult licensed professionals before making decisions about your property or insurance claims.
Free 2-day shipping
Amazon Prime members pay no shipping on restoration equipment
Dehumidifiers, air movers, and moisture meters qualify for free Prime delivery — bulk items that otherwise cost $15–$40 to ship.
Affiliate link — HearthDry earns a bounty if you sign up; costs you nothing extra.
Equipment
What each machine actually does
Removes the moisture the structure is still giving off — the machine that decides how long drying takes
See the picks →Moves air across wet surfaces so the dehumidifier has something to take out of the air
See the picks →Finds water behind walls and under floors, and tells you when a material is actually dry
See the picks →Alerts you the moment a leak starts — the cheapest thing on this list and the only preventive one
See the picks →Those pages carry affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, HearthDry earns from qualifying purchases; it costs you nothing extra.
Our Amazon storefront →Advertisement
