Has your Chicago commercial property sustained fire or water damage? If so, you need a commercial restoration company to help you clean up and repair the damages. The question, though, is how to choose the right one.
Here at ServiceMaster of Lake Shore, we restore Chicago businesses that have been damaged by fire or water each week, so we understand what it takes to get the job done.
In this blog, we’ll discuss how to find and hire the best Chicago-based commercial restoration contractor for your needs.
Let’s dive in.
11 Tips for Choosing the Best Commercial Restoration Contractor
Finding a great commercial restoration contractor becomes the top priority when disaster strikes your business.
Fortunately, you’re not alone in the process.
Follow these tips to find a commercial restoration expert to restore your property:
1. Look for someone who offers 24/7 emergency response
Water and fire damage doesn’t only happen during the workday. Whenever damage does occur, it can cause costly downtime for your business.
Because of this, look for a restoration contractor who provides 24/7 emergency services and prompt response times. The faster the team can respond to your call and provide services, the less downtime and interruption your company will face.
2. Choose someone who is licensed, bonded, and insured
These are huge considerations any time you’re hiring a Chicago restoration contractor, but they’re crucial when you’re looking for commercial restoration teams. When someone is licensed, bonded, and insured, it means they’ve taken steps to make themselves legally accountable for their work and that they’re equipped to make things right if something goes wrong.
Look for a licensed, bonded, and insured company to perform your restoration work. This ensures high-quality service and protects you and your business in the process.
3. Look for a contractor with experience in the industry
As you search for a contractor, look for someone who regularly works with commercial properties. Commercial properties have different needs and considerations during the restoration phase, and it’s essential to work with a contractor who is knowledgeable about these things.
If you’re not sure whether a contractor has commercial experience, contact them to ask about the recent commercial projects they’ve completed in the Chicago area.
4. Hire a contractor who can help you navigate the insurance claims process
After water or fire damage in your commercial space, you’ll need to file an insurance claim. However, this can be a lengthy, confusing, frustrating process, so it’s wise to hire a contractor who can assist.
Experienced, reliable commercial restoration companies will be familiar with helping clients make insurance claims and will work with you to ensure you don’t miss a step or leave money on the table.
5. Ask the contractor about their restoration plan
A good contractor should offer a clear restoration plan. The team should be able to explain their steps and provide an estimate of how long the process will take.
For example, if the pipes in your commercial building froze, broke, and flooded your property, how does the team plan to identify the source of the water damage and remove the water that’s already soaked your property?
Because water and fire damage can worsen over time, your restoration expert needs to act swiftly, proactively, and intentionally to tackle the problem.
6. Look for a team that offers on-site inspections
Before creating a quote, a good restoration company should come to your commercial location to inspect the damage on-site. Most reputable restoration companies charge an inspection fee for this process since it takes time and effort to assess damages accurately.
In most cases, this fee is applied to the restoration work the company will do if you hire them.
7. Ask for a quote
Before they begin your job, the commercial restoration contractor should give you a quote in writing. This quote should outline the scope of services and provide information regarding payment, timeline, and policies.
8. Look for a full-service restoration company
The company you hire should offer full-service commercial restoration. This means they provide commercial water damage restoration, fire damage restoration, mold remediation, and necessary cleaning services like carpet and rug cleaning and restoration, air duct cleaning, floor cleaning, and property reconstruction,
A full-service company like ServiceMaster of Lake Shore in Chicago is better equipped to address all your needs and will be able to resolve complex issues as they come up, rather than outsourcing them to another team, which can decrease the level of service you receive and create delays.
9. Look for a company that has active certifications and memberships
As you search for a contractor, look for someone who has active certifications and memberships. A team that’s IICRC-Certified, for example, has met the standard of excellence put forth by The Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification.
Meanwhile, a company with an RIA (Restoration Industry Association) membership can be counted on to follow best practices in the restoration industry.
Before you hire anyone, ask the contractor what memberships and certifications they currently hold.
10. Look for a company with good reviews
The commercial restoration company you choose should have an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau and good customer reviews on their website, social media pages, and Google listing.
The company should also be able to provide references for work they’ve completed in the past. Be wary of companies with bad customer reviews or teams that are unwilling or unable to provide references.
11. Insist on a team that uses state of the art equipment
The contractor you hire should use commercial-grade fire and water damage equipment, including dehumidifiers and air scrubbers.
The company should also have a commercial fleet capable of handling even large jobs with extensive fire or water damage. Not only does this indicate the quality of service, but it will help ensure the job gets done as quickly as possible.
Looking for a Professional Commercial Restoration Contractor in the Chicago Area? Turn to ServiceMaster of Lake Shore!
If you’re facing fire or water damage, you don’t have to struggle through it alone. Here at ServiceMaster of Lake Shore, we’re the commercial restoration contractor facility managers, property managers, and business owners have trusted with tough jobs for years. We service all types of facilities damaged by water including warehouses, healthcare facilities, and more.
Our office is in downtown Chicago, so we’re just around the corner to provide the help you need when you need it.
Contact us today to learn more about our commercial restoration services or request your quote: 312-707-8597
