When Disaster Strikes: Choosing a Restoration Company

For most of us, our home is the biggest investment we have ever made. It’s a huge financial commitment, sure, but it’s also an investment in our future happiness. This is where family dinners will be shared and a lifetime of memories will be made. It’s hard for most of us to imagine what we would do if a disaster were to strike our home, but unfortunately it’s a reality that many Toronto homeowners have to face every year.

Whether it’s from fire, flooding or even water damage from a broken appliance, it’s important to know what to look for when evaluating restoration companies.

Toronto Restoration Companies

There are numerous companies in Toronto and the surrounding area that claim to be experts in disaster restoration. For many of those companies, it’s only a small part of their overall general contracting services. When it comes to putting your home back together after a devastating event like flood or fire, you need to work with a company that specializes in disaster restoration. The level of expertise that comes from handling restoration projects is very reassuring at a time when you need it most.

Professional disaster restoration companies know the signs of serious complications that can come after a significant, damaging event in your home. It’s not enough to simply clean up after a disaster, not when the aftermath could include mould infestation or the discovery of hidden sources of lead or asbestos that come as part of the initial cleanup.

A company that specializes in handling toxic materials has existing relationships to help handle the safe, proper disposal of contaminated materials. In a city like Toronto, where there are strict guidelines surrounding waste removal, it’s important to work with a company that will pay attention to every aspect of your restoration job.

Questions to Ask Disaster Recovery Specialists

As a layperson, it may be hard to know what to ask to ensure the disaster recovery specialist is a qualified one. Here are some questions to keep in mind when selecting a restoration company in Toronto:

• Is your Service Level Agreement (SLA) customized for each job, or is it a generic form? Does it outline specific timelines, and clearly spell out what services are, and are not, included?
• How long have you been in business?
• How many recoveries of this nature (fire, flood, etc.) has your company performed?
• Do you have any tips to help manage the insurance claim management process?
• Do you have any client references we can contact?

The answers to these questions are, of course, important to help you assess the company’s qualifications. However, how the questions are answered will be almost equally important. Does the company’s representative take the time to explain how the process will work, from start to finish? Are they patient with your questions at a time of a devastating loss, or do you get the sense that they’re hoping to just move on to the next customer? A level of sensitivity in the disaster recovery process is a must.

The home you love can be restored after a devastating event like a flood or fire. Make sure the disaster restoration company you choose is one who really knows their stuff!