Dealing with property damage is never fun, and hiring a contractor can be as stressful as the damage itself. How do you know who to trust? Who will do the best job for the most reasonable price? Who can get the job done the fastest, with the least disruption to everyday life?

When your property experiences a burst pipe, water damage, mold issues, or even fire damage, it is important to find the right restoration company to handle the repairs. With so many companies on the market today, what questions should you ask before choosing the one that will repair your building? Follow this guide to find the right restoration company for your commercial building.

What to Ask a Restoration Company Before Hiring

1. Check for certifications.

   Your restoration company should always have certifications. Look for a company that is certified by the IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification). The IICRC ensures the highest standards of restoration processes and ethics from their certified companies. You can also inquire about any other certifications the company holds within specific restoration areas like mold or fire restoration.

2. What services can the company offer?

   Your restoration company should, ideally, cover all aspects of the restoration project. At McMahon Services, we handle every part of the restoration from inspection, remediation services if necessary, reconstruction, and clean up.

3. What are the prices of their services?

   Can the company provide recommendations? While price should not be the only factor when hiring a restoration company, it does need to be a consideration.

4. Ask for recommendations from friends and family.

   Begin by asking friends and family for recommendations of restoration companies they may have used in the past, check online reviews, and don’t be afraid to ask the company itself for recommendations.

5. Does the company offer emergency services?

   Sometimes emergencies strike at times that are not during business hours. Does the restoration company provide 24/7 services in the event of an emergency during the middle of the night? What is the response policy? If the company does not provide emergency services, don’t trust the restoration company with your project. This is a sign of an ill prepared restoration company, and one that may not be prepared to handle large jobs.

What to Avoid When Hiring a Restoration Company

There are several red flags to consider when hiring a restoration company. If any of these present themselves during the research  and interview, consider a different restoration team for your needs.

1. A company is requesting large sums of money upfront. While 10% of the cost for a deposit to cover materials is typical, anything higher is cause for concern. Lay out specific payment terms before any work is started on the restoration project.
2. Do not believe that all companies possess the same work ethic. Like we discussed above, references are key. Price is important, but the saying “you get what you pay for” is not something you want to risk when working with a restoration company.
3. Never begin working with a team without a contract. Agree to mutual terms including pricing, payment dates, and deadlines. Any company that wants to begin work without an agreement is worth a second look.

Choosing the right commercial restoration company is an important decision, but not impossible. At McMahon Services and Construction, we specialize in commercial and residential restoration from water, mold, and fire or smoke damage. Our services are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Call us when you need us, we are ready to take your restoration from start to finish, and get your building back to normal as quickly as possible.