5 Steps to Choosing the Right Birmingham, AL, Restoration Contractor
5 Steps to Choosing the Right Birmingham, AL, Restoration Contractor
When your home has been damaged by flood, fire or another type of disaster, you need to find someone who can restore your property promptly, using the tools, techniques
Choosing a contractor isn’t rocket science, but it’s not a task you should rush through either. While an online search may turn up a dozen or more companies that claim to offer restoration or “cleanup” services, it’s very important to know how to evaluate different companies to make sure the one you select can perform the work in a timely, efficient and skilled manner. Here’s what you can do to make sure your search is successful:
- Look for online reviews. Getting recommendations from friends and family is fine - but generally, it’s not a good idea to hire a family member to perform the restorations. Look beyond personal recommendations to online reviews and the Better Business Bureau site. But remember: People who have negative experiences are more likely to post bad reviews than those who’ve had positive experiences, so read reviews with a critical eye to get a general idea of the overall experience.
- Hire a company that specializes in restorations. Plenty of companies offer “cleanup” services, and even general contractors and “handyman” services may claim they can “fix” your property - sometimes for a much lower price. But the fact is, repairing damage caused by water, fire and similar issues requires a specific skill set as well as specific tools and equipment. While a general contractor might be a fine choice to add a deck or build an addition, when it comes to restoring a property after significant damage, you want a company that has considerable experience in that area so you can feel confident they have the know-how to get the job done right the first time. Plus, contractors who specialize in property restorations are also skilled in working with insurance companies - and that can mean a lot
less headaches for you. - Ask the company what steps they take to evaluate your property. A licensed and skilled restoration contractor will start with a thorough site evaluation to assess the damage - not just the damage you can see, but problems that lurk below the surface of your walls, ceilings
and floors. Without that in-depth evaluation, serious problems like mold or structural damage could be missed, leading to even more problems in the future. These types of assessments require not only a skilledeye, but also special tools and equipment to identify and examine damage wherever it may have occurred. - Ask if the company is IICRC certified. IICRC stands for Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification, and it demonstrates that the contractor has the skills and experience necessary to perform restorations correctly. Certification also means the company follows a specific set of guidelines and regulations to provide customers with important peace of mind about how the work will be performed. Always look for a restoration company that has this certification.
- Make sure the company can act quickly. Water, fire
and other damage can make your home - or at least parts of it - unlivable. And if water damage is involved, your health could be at risk too - it only takes 24 hours for mold to start growing in a damp environment. Plus, when the restoration process is delayed, the damage can spread to other areas or your home can be exposed to the elements or even to looting. That means time is of the essence - and you need a company that’s ready to act right away to assess the damage andsecure your home to prevent additional problems. - Look for a company with roots and connections in the local community. A restoration company with ties
in the Birmingham, AL, area depend on local customers to keep their business up and running. That means they work extra hard to do things right so their reputation builds. Plus, working with a company with deep community roots means the contractor will be around if you have questions or concerns in the future.
Choose a Birmingham, AL, restoration contractor you can trust.
Brookstone Restorations is a top-ranked, IICRC-certified restoration contractor dedicated to helping homeowners and businesses in the Birmingham, AL, area with the services they need to restore their property and get their lives back on track. If your property has been damaged by water, fire, smoke or mold, we can help. Call Brookstone Restorations at 205-436-2680 and schedule an evaluation and assessment today.