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Fire damage restoration: Why should you trust Restore-It

September 16th, 2024

4 min read

By Jorge Cardenas

Kitchen with fire damage

 

Maybe you were cooking a hearty meal for the changing season and left the kitchen for a minute. Or perhaps it was faulty wires. Regardless, you will need professional restoration services if you had a fire in your house. But with so many options, do you know which company best fits you?

As a firm certified by the IICRC, we have expert knowledge. But this is only one of our most important assets. Our ability to empathize with you lets us approach the job with respect and sincerity. This comes from over 50 years of combined experience in the industry.

With such accolades, it is no surprise that we consider ourselves the best option in the market. After all, what self-respecting company wouldn't? But don't simply take us by our word. In this article, we will discuss some of the problems found in the market and what makes us different as a professional fire restoration company. So follow along and discover why hundreds of satisfied customers have trusted us and why you should.

Issues found in the fire damage restoration industry (and our solutions!)

The typical fire restoration project is much more than removing affected materials. Proper fire restoration is a complex process that addresses the damage left by soot, smoke, and water used to extinguish the flames. Of course, reputable fire restoration companies exist, but others offer a subpar experience. Here are some of the issues we have encountered in the market:

Lack of qualifications for fire damage restoration

The quality of contractors in the industry can vary a lot. Some may not adhere to best practices, which results in subpar work. This can be very problematic long-term: a poorly addressed restoration project can leave all sorts of issues. Problems like lingering smoke, structural damage, and mold can affect you in the long term.

That's why we at Restore-It emphasize being a certified firm by the IICRC. This organization determines the best protocols and methods during a fire restoration project. Also, The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) acredits the IICRC Standards. This means industry experts ensure their methods are the most effective for fire restoration.

Slow response time and delays in fire damage restoration

After a fire, the damage can spread further even after the fire has been extinguished. This will negatively affect your and your family's health, which is precisely why immediate action is essential.

According to the National Cancer Institute, soot exposure is linked to some forms of skin, lung, esophageal, and bladder cancers. And, according to the New York State Department of Health, prolonged exposure to smoke increases the risk of chronic health issues.

The water used to put out the fire creates a humid environment that can develop microbial growth (mold and mildew). This can happen even if the property has been boarded and tarps were put in place. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), mold can produce allergens, irritants, and sometimes toxic substances (aka "mycotoxins").

With a shop located in the heart of South Arkansas, we at Restore-It can guarantee prompt service for your emergency needs. In fact, we are happy to inform you that we can send one of our qualified technicians within one hour if your home is located within the city limits of El Dorado.

Problems with the insurance companies

As a homeowner, you must maintain proper contact with your insurance provider after filing a claim for fire damage. Insurance companies accept the majority of firehouse claims (unless it is a case of arson). However, improper documentation and lack of communication can lead to project delays.

Meanwhile, we at Restore-It will help you navigate through this process. If you are unaware of how to file a claim, we will direct you to your insurance agent so you can do it. If you let us, , we can contact the adjuster and share the information we gather. Close communication between all parties involved can significantly speed up the process.

Zero restoration efforts on actually salvageable items

Many companies treat objects that come into contact with soot and smoke as untreatable. And what does this translate to? They dispose of many valuable objects into piles of unsalvageable content. This forces you to discuss the value of your lost property with your insurance company. In the worst cases, you may even have to say goodbye to a precious memory forever.

But nothing is further from the truth: This is an issue of not having the right tools for the right jobs. Many objects can be restored with the right equipment so long as their structural integrity has not been compromised.

In contrast, we at Restore-It have specialized machines to deal with the cleaning of most contents. This includes:

  • Ultrasonic cleaners: They are used to detail clean "hard contents." This means objects like figurines, glassware, and anything with a hard surface.
  • Electronic cleaning equipment: We can clean all sorts of devices, appliances, and gadgets that were affected by the fire.
  • Esporta washing system: This machine can process "soft contents," provided they are not damaged. We are talking about things like clothing, laundry, shoes, blankets, etc.

Ultimately, this means you do not have to lose most of your possessions after a fire.

What Restore-It offers as a fire restoration company

We have told you about the problems found in the market, but you should not choose us for what others do wrong but rather for our own particular merits. Here are some reasons why you should choose us:

Local expertise for ease of access

Many franchises are located outside of South Arkansas, which can delay the response time. But, our warehouse is set in El Dorado, which means shorter trips within the city and its surroundings.

This also means your contents will be cleaned locally, easing access to them, should you need it. Having said that, we suggest you don’t leave anything in the next 30 to 90 days to avoid delays in the restoration. We will constantly communicate with you to prevent this scenario.

Empathetic, sensible customer service

When a fire happens, your and your family's lives can dramatically change in a matter of minutes. Our experience in this industry has shaped our customer service to respond to a fire incident while respecting the emotional toll it can take on you. Communication is essential to reassure you that we will do our best to help you and your family during this challenging situation.

From the moment you call us to the final walkthrough, we will talk to you to understand your needs. This is especially important when dealing with "content" cleaning and restoration. For instance, we will focus on those items that are important to you. From a special gift given by a good friend to a memory of a loved relative, we will restore them to the best of our abilities and as quickly as possible.

Our core values at Restore-It as a fire restoration company

This ability to empathize and listen to your needs is both a result of years of experience as well as an expression of our four guiding principles:

  • Integrity: To uphold the highest ethical standards in our job.
  • Dependability: So you can count on us whenever you need us.
  • Humility: To be able to listen and empathize with you.
  • Grit: To tackle any challenge and see the job through to the end.

These values aren't just words—they reflect our unwavering commitment to delivering excellence. Our commitment is to ensure your home is in trusted hands.

Finding the right company to restore fire damage can be a hassle. But we expect you to have a clearer view of the industry and our solutions. Now that you have learned why you should choose us for your fire restoration project, your following action is to contact us.

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