Do you find yourself in need of a disaster restoration service? Are you trying to figure out which local service you should add to your list of emergency contacts in the event that something should ever happen to your home? It can be tough to find the right fit when you’re looking for a company that offers damage restoration services, and sometimes, you may find yourself working with one that isn’t quite what you thought it would be. If you want to find out more information about how to spot a good company when you’re comparing options, check out this list of bad habits that disaster restoration companies (and individuals) should probably stop doing. This can give you a good idea of what you don’t want when you’re trying to make your decision.
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Only offering one type of service.
- Maybe the company you’re looking at is just starting out and has only really had experience with flood damage restoration. Maybe you don’t live in an area where floods are really much of a problem, so the company’s bigger selling point is its ability to clean up after fires. Or maybe you’re just looking at a service company that hasn’t figured out how to market itself to a wide audience just yet. Whatever the case may be, if the service you’re thinking of going with doesn’t seem to offer more than one type of cleanup option, you might want to check elsewhere.
- This also means that you should be looking at service companies that offer several “packages” or pricing options to customers who are in need of a cleanup. A good restoration company will provide not only flood and fire assistance, but also cleanup options for mold caused by other issues, sewage and biohazard cleanup, hoarding assistance, and much more. The more options the company in question offers, the more well-rounded they are, and the more likely they are to be able to help you with your problem, too.
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Taking too long to get back to potential customers.
- When a disaster befalls your home or other property, you don’t want to wait around for a restoration company to get back to your call for several days. You’re looking for a company that will come out and assess the damage as well as give you an estimate right away. This is why companies that deal with water and fire damage should always be available 24/7 for emergency services. They should be willing and able to answer the phone at any point and direct your call to the right place the first time. Companies that can help you out by responding quickly to your needs are the best options for dealing with unpleasant home disaster situations.
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Making it difficult to find information about their licenses, insurance, and certifications.
- Any restoration company you work with should always be licensed, insured, and properly trained and certified. They should be proud of this fact and should boldly display this information on their web site, so you don’t have to go digging for it. At most, they should have a page on their site dedicated to this information, making it easy for you to locate it when you’re doing your research into different company options. Always check a restoration company’s web site for logos and banners that will let you know who has given them certifications and where their insurance comes from.
- If you cannot find this information, this doesn’t necessarily mean that the company isn’t licensed or insured. However, sometimes it does, and unfortunately there are some shady companies out there that may hope potential customers won’t notice this. A good company will always be willing to provide you with this information. If you ask for it and the company still won’t tell you anything, don’t hesitate to go with someone else.
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Not following up with customers after the fact.
- Customers appreciate it when companies check in with them after restoration is completed. This could be as simple as an emailed or mailed survey or a phone call from a receptionist just to see if there are any issues. Although you won’t be able to find out for sure if the company you choose will do this before you hire them, you can always ask if they offer any follow-up services. Most companies will be happy to ensure that their work has met or exceeded what you’re looking for and will be more than willing to talk to you after they’ve completed the job.
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Not being understanding and compassionate.
- Customers who are in need of sewage cleanup, fire damage repair, mold removal and other services like these are usually in the middle of a very distressing situation. For this reason, it’s crucial that service technicians and everyone else a customer will come into contact with when dealing with a restoration company is polite, understanding, and kind. A little friendly attitude and willingness to politely offer information goes a long way toward making sure a customer is satisfied enough to hire the company—or to call back again in the future if needed. If you find that the company you’ve contacted isn’t very friendly or helpful, this may be a sign you should look into someone else for your restoration services.
- As a side note, keep in mind that service technicians may be less friendly when they’re in the middle of a job, simply because they are focused on what they’re doing. If you need to ask a question while your service technicians are working, be polite on your end, too, and wait for a good time to do so. Politeness works both ways!
Has your home or other property suffered damage from fire or water? If so, reach out to Restoration Techs right away. We offer 24/7 emergency restoration services as well as estimates to Naperville, IL, and the surrounding areas. Call us today at 800.600.3594.