Helpful Information
Where Do I Start?
When your property has been damaged,
you will be besieged by companies
and individuals offering their services.
Sifting through information and credentials
at this time can be difficult. Atlas
Restoration Specialists offers these
guidelines:
- National Franchises
Most companies that provide restoration
services are franchises of national
organizations – often specializing
in janitorial services or carpet
cleaning. Usually, they’ll
provide cleaning services, leaving
you to hire multiple companies
to complete your project. If they
do handle repairs, it’s usually
through subcontractors, which may
not result in high quality work.
- Public Adjusters
For a fixed percentage of your
insurance claim, public adjusters
will negotiate the settlement with
your insurance company. Unfortunately,
their fee often exceeds the benefit.
It may also delay settlement of
your claim and lengthen the time
you are out of your home.
- Independently Owned Firms
Local firms, like Atlas Restoration
Specialists offer personalized
service, but vary widely in ability,
staff and expertise. Carefully
evaluate credentials, references.
and methods of operation. You’ll
find the most qualified professionals
through:
Restoration
Industry Association
Institute
of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration
Certification
Freqently Asked Questions
Can you really get
rid of the smoke odor?
Will my insurance company
choose a restoration contractor?
Will the insurance settlement
be enough to make my home / business
look brand new?
Do I have to accept
the lowest estimate?
Must I get multiple
estimates?
What is the RIA? Is
it important?
What is IICRC certification?
How quickly must I make
a decision?
Can you
really get rid of the smoke odor?
Yes, but it requires employing a
multi-step deodorizing process before
beginning reconstruction. You need
to beware. Many restoration contractors
are “cover-up specialists”
that just seal or paint over affected
areas. If the contractor cannot give
you specific information, move on.
Will my
insurance company choose a restoration
contractor?
Occasionally they may refer a contractor
to you, but the final choice is yours.
Remember, your insurance company
will not supervise the work to repair
your property. Select a contractor
you can trust.
Will the
insurance settlement be enough to
make my home / business look brand
new?
Most insurance settlements will enable
you to return your property to its
“pre-existing condition.”
There will be talk of “actual
cash value” and “recoverable
depreciation” – all complicated
subjects. Your Atlas Restoration
Specialists project manager will
evaluate your specific situation,
and help you understand the entire
process, as well as what your home
will look like when it’s complete.
Do I have
to accept the lowest estimate?
No. Each firm will offer different
levels of service and have different
degrees of experience. Choose the
company that offers the best quality
service for the best value. You’re
entrusting the care and future of
your home to this restoration specialist.
You need to be comfortable with your
choice.
Must I
get multiple estimates?
If you choose an experienced restoration
contractor, you won’t need
multiple estimates. Qualified contractors
use computerized estimating programs
that document the costs of all services
in a way that will satisfy your insurance
company.
What is
the RIA? Is it important?
Membership in the Restoration Industry
Association (RIA) is essential. This
international, non-profit association
ensures that restoration contractors
maintain a strict code of ethics,
receive on-going technical training,
and are up to date on the latest
scientific advances in the restoration
industry.
What is
IICRC certification?
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning
and Restoration Certification (IICRC)
serves as the cleaning and restoration
industry guardian. This non-profit
organization helps ensure that property
owners have access to trained professionals
and firms that are certified in their
areas of expertise. It also enforces
a strict code of ethics for certified
companies.
How quickly
must I make a decision?
The sooner, the better. Once damage
has occurred, things may begin to
deteriorate within hours –
due to the chemical reactions that
have occurred. The damage to your
property and its contents will become
more serious every day. Select a
restoration contractor quickly, but
be sure to select a firm that makes
you feel completely comfortable.
