From a late-night fire to an early morning flood, there are many ways that your Illinois home or business can get damaged. In order to get things back to normal as quickly as possible, you know that you need help – but what kind of help? Most people are familiar with general contractors, and you may also know what a disaster restoration contractor is. When you are faced with an overwhelming mess, which one should you call?

In most cases, you will need help from both. In this article, we will explain the difference between a disaster restoration contractor and a general contractor, which parts of your project each can help with, and why you may want to work with one team for both parts of your project. 

First: A Disaster Restoration Contractor

If your home, rental property, or commercial property has been damaged by fire, water, or sewage, you will need professional resources to get things back to normal. The first person that you will work with is usually a disaster restoration contractor. These experts use specialized industry techniques and equipment to remove water, mold, smoke, soot, and any damaged materials from your property. They typically provide the following unique services: 

1. 24/7 Emergency response availability: This includes services like emergency plumbing and board up services that will help stop the damage and protect your property. 
2. Access to specialized equipment:  A disaster restoration contractor has unique equipment that will efficiently restore your property and prevent further damage.
3. Contents cleaning services: Not only was your property damaged by water or fire, but the contents of your home were also impacted. Disaster restoration contractors can safely clean items that were contaminated by water, fire, smoke, mold and even sewage.
4. Complex processes like mold remediation: Cleaning up after a sewage back-up or water damage that has caused mold to grow can be complicated, dangerous processes. Disaster restoration experts know how to get these projects done safely. 
5. The ability to partner with your insurance company: Experienced restoration contractors work with your insurance company to make sure that your property is restored completely and all claims are filed correctly. 

Second: A General or Reconstruction Contractor

Once the restoration of your home or business is complete, it’s time to start the reconstruction process. For this step, many people will work with a general contractor. General contractors specialize in new construction, remodeling, and property additions. They should be licensed themselves, and can help you create the proper plans and acquire any required permits. They provide the labor, tools, equipment, and materials needed to complete your project. They typically work with numerous subcontractors like plumbers, electricians, masons, roofers, and painters. 

The Benefits of Working With One Team For Both Steps

When your property has suffered serious damage, you will most likely need to go through both stages of this process: Restoration and reconstruction. There are lots of disaster restoration contractors, and lots of general contractors. What is rare is finding one team who can handle both stages of the process. 

At McMahon Services and Construction, we can handle your project from the first emergency call to the final touches on your new finished surfaces. We have served the Chicago area since 1954, and quickly evolved into both a premier disaster restoration team, and a high-quality general contracting company with many insurance partners in the area.  

Our restoration services include:

• Water damage restoration
• Fire, soot and smoke damage restoration
• Mold remediation
• Sewage damage restoration
• 24/7 emergency response for damage restoration, emergency plumbing, and board up services 

Our general contracting services include:

• Roof repairs and replacements
• Plumbing
• Heating and cooling systems
• Siding, gutters, fascia, soffits
• Interior finishes including drywall, cabinets, trim, and more

There are many benefits to working with one team for both parts of a project. Communication is easier, there are no confusing hand-offs and delays, and the whole project can be more efficient due to our ability to see the big picture, from start to finish. Whether you need help with water damage that occurred yesterday or to finish a remodeling project that you started last year, McMahon can help – contact us today to learn more.