How to Choose a Water Damage Restoration Company Near You

Choose a water damage restoration company that answers 24/7, sends certified technicians the same day, measures moisture instead of guessing, and gives you a written scope and photos your insurer can use. If a company is vague on any of those, keep calling.

If you have water in your home right now, call (855) 229-9998. We answer around the clock across Long Island, NYC, Westchester and the Hudson Valley. If you are still comparing options, here is what to check.

Do they answer the phone and show up fast?

Water damage does not wait for business hours. A pipe that bursts at 2 a.m. keeps running until someone shuts it off, and the wet materials start to break down within hours.

When you call, you should reach a person, not a voicemail box. Ask when a crew can be there. A good company gives you a real window, not "sometime this week."

Are the technicians certified?

Look for IICRC certification. The IICRC writes the industry standards for water damage restoration, and technicians trained to those standards know how much drying equipment a space needs and how to tell when it is actually dry.

Ask which certifications the crew holds, for example water damage restoration or applied structural drying. A company that is proud of its training will name them.

Do they measure, or guess?

Ask how they will know the job is done. The right answer is moisture readings: meters on drywall, wood and subfloor, taken on the first visit and again during drying, until the readings match dry reference materials.

A company that tells you the area "feels dry" is guessing. Wet framing that gets closed up is how mold ends up behind a wall a few weeks later. Our water mitigation vs water restoration guide explains the two phases of the work, so you know what you are paying for.

Will they remove the water first?

Standing water and soaked carpet and padding should come out first, with pumps and extraction equipment, before any drying equipment goes in. Fans alone cannot handle liquid water. Read what water extraction involves so you can tell whether a crew is doing it properly.

Do you get a written scope and photos?

Before work starts, you should know what will be removed, what will be dried in place and what equipment is going in. Ask for photos and moisture logs as the job goes on. Your insurance adjuster will want that paperwork, and so will you if there is ever a question about what was done.

Never sign a blank form or one with the amounts left empty. Read anything that gives the company rights to deal with your insurer, and ask questions before you sign.

How do they work with your insurance?

Ask whether they document the loss in a way adjusters accept and whether they will talk to your adjuster when you need them to. You can pick your own company, and you do not have to use whoever your insurer suggests. Our water damage insurance claim guide walks through the steps in order.

Are they local to where you live?

A company based nearby gets there faster. Aqua-Pro Restoration works out of Melville on Long Island and has handled water, fire and mold jobs since 2004. We serve Nassau and Suffolk counties, Westchester, Rockland, Orange, Dutchess and all five boroughs.

You can also read what past customers say about us on our Google Business Profile before you decide.

Warning signs to walk away from

• No one answers, or you are told to call back during business hours.
• The price is quoted over the phone with no look at the damage.
• Pressure to sign right now, before anyone has seen the water.
• No mention of moisture readings, extraction or drying equipment.
• No written scope, no photos and no paperwork for your insurer.

Get a crew moving today

Tell us what happened, where the water is and how long it has been there. We will tell you what to do while the crew is on the way, such as shutting the main valve and keeping power off to wet areas.

Call (855) 229-9998 and a real person will answer, 24 hours a day. See our water damage restoration services for what we handle.

How fast should a water damage restoration company arrive?

A real emergency company answers the phone at any hour and gets a crew moving the same day. Ask for an arrival window when you call. Water starts soaking into drywall and subfloors right away, and mold can begin on wet materials within 24 to 48 hours, so every hour of delay adds to the damage.

What does IICRC certified mean?

The IICRC (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification) sets the standards for water damage restoration and trains technicians on them. A company that says its crew is IICRC certified should be able to tell you which certifications its technicians hold, such as water damage restoration or applied structural drying.

Should I wait for my insurance company to pick a restoration company?

No. You can choose your own company, and you are expected to take reasonable steps to stop further damage right away. Call your insurer to open the claim, but do not leave water sitting while you wait for a callback.