How to Choose the Right Flood Cleanup Service

 

Household emergencies don’t get much worse than flooding. Need proof?

A mere 1 inch of water that gets into your property can cause up to $25,000 of damage! If that’s not enough to strike fear into the hearts of homeowners, then we don’t know what is. And here’s the bad news:

You can’t always avoid it.

From burst pipes to freak storms, flooding can and does happen! The only thing you can do in these situations is to find a high-quality flood cleanup service in your area to handle the problem. Have you suffered flooding in your home and want some advice on selecting the right crew to help out?

You’re in the right place. Keep reading to discover exactly how to choose the best flood cleanup services for the job.

Check They’re Certified and Insured

First thing’s first: never hire a company that lacks insurance and certification!

After all, you want to know they’ll provide a certain standard of work- something you can’t guarantee if they aren’t certified by a governing body (such as the Restoration Industry Association). Likewise, if they lack insurance, you could be liable if an accident happened in your home and someone got hurt.

Avoid both unhappy eventualities by asking to see proof of their certification and insurance. If the company shows any unwillingness to do so, then see it as a warning sign. You might be better off looking elsewhere for support.

Check Their Availability

Time is of the essence when it comes to flood restoration work. The longer the water’s left inside your home, the more damage it’ll cause! That’s why the first few hours after any flooding occurs are vital…

If you can handle the issue within this timeframe, you stand a chance of salvaging your carpets, soft furnishings, and other precious possessions. Any longer and you may have to replace them.

When it comes to hiring a flood cleanup service, then, it’s imperative they can help ASAP. As an aside, that’s why the best companies are available 24/7. Before committing to anything, check when they plan to arrive and make sure they provide a guarantee for that time.

Seek Clear Communication

As you can imagine, there’s nothing more stressful than seeing your beautiful home be flooded with water! That’s why we recommend prioritizing cleanup crews who demonstrate strong and clear communication skills.

Rather than rushing to work and leaving you in the dark, they’ll take the time to tell you the plan of action- reassuring you they have it under control. Furthermore, they’ll be upfront with you on the cost of their support (reducing the chance of nasty surprises when you receive the invoice down the line). Ultimately, their clear communication will settle your nerves and reduce the stress of handling the flooding.

Impressive Online Reviews

Choosing the right flood cleanup service isn’t so dissimilar from selecting a restaurant to see at. These days, it’s rare to pick somewhere at random, right?

You probably browse the web, visiting sites like TripAdvisor and Yelp to read online reviews from past patrons first! Understandably, what you see there plays a big role in determining where you end up going.

Take the same tack here by reading the comments from past customers on their Facebook Page, Google entry, and so on. You could also ask for references from their previous clients. Alongside the online reviews, hearing their positive feedback should increase your confidence in their suitability.

Seek Referrals

If you live in a flood area, then there’s a good chance you know someone who’s suffered this same fate at some point in the past. So, whether it’s a friend, family, or colleague, try asking around for referrals! Can anyone you know recommend a reputable cleanup service?

This is a sensible step for two main reasons:

Firstly, because you know these people, you can trust them only to recommend first-rate companies. And second, you can hear from the horse’s mouth what the company’s like to work with! That’s a big deal in terms of settling your nerves, understanding the process to come, and finding out how much the work might cost.

Think Carefully About Costs

Building and restoration work is never cheap, so it might be tempting to err on the side of affordability when selecting a flood cleanup company. Unlike finding ways to save money on flood insurance, now’s not the time to take the budget approach! Remember, you’ll get what you pay for…

With lots of potential for trouble (think mold, mildew, structural damage, and ruined furniture), you’ll want to ensure your home gets a thorough and extensive clean from a company that knows what they’re doing. This may cost extra in the short term, but this could pay for itself down the line in terms of the quality and extent of support you receive.

Look for Extra Services

Another worthy consideration is the additional input a company may be able to offer. Most services will specialize in water damage restoration, yet the best in the business often provide extra, related help too.

Some examples include mold testing and removal, as well as the replacement of damaged drywall in your property. Hiring a company that delivers these types of extra interventions is super convenient. You can kill two birds with one stone, saving yourself the trouble of finding another tradesman to do the work.

Time to Choose the Right Flood Cleanup Service

Few household disasters are more damaging or disruptive than a flood. As a result, it’s in your explicit interest to hire the very best flood cleanup service possible! With their input, you’ll limit the damage done to your home, salvage as much as possible inside, and get back to normal in no time.

With any luck, the tips in this post will help you choose the right company for the job.  Want to read more about this topic and others similar to it? Browse the “House” section of the website now.