Q. My home has just suffered damage, who should I contact?

A. It is a good idea to contact your homeowners insurance company and inform them of the damage. Then, call a licensed insurance restoration professional. You should read your insurance policy to know what your coverage limits are. Ultimately though, you will decide which contractor to use.

Q. How do I choose a contractor capable of handling my home's damage? Is any "handyman" capable of repairing my home?

A. Not all contractors are familiar with insurance restoration. It is wise to contact a licensed & insured contractor who specializes in restoration. This contractor should be able to identify restorable & non-restorable items, and items not affected by the loss at all. A restoration contractor is familiar with how insurance claims are handled, and will work with your insurance company to get your home back to original condition quickly, and with attention to detail. You should request copies of licenses, insurance certificates (with you listed as an additional insured), and cleaning and restoration certifications.

Q. My home was just damaged by water. What should I do to prevent further damage?

A. First, make sure the area is safe, and evacuate if necessary before calling a restoration professional. You should call a restoration professional quickly, because the water can spread to additional areas. Avoid walking on affected areas. Also, if left for a period of time, mold & mold-forming bacteria can begin to spread. The longer a damaged home is left before treatment begins, the further damage will occur, in greater areas of the home.

Q. My home was just damaged by water. Should I leave my belongings and furniture in place so the insurance claims people can see my home as it is?

A. It is best to remove belongings and furniture from the affected areas as quickly as possible to prevent further water damage to belongings, and possible staining of carpets and floors. If you are able, move your belongings to a dry, unaffected area.

Q. My home was just damaged by fire, what should I do to prevent further damage?

A. Again, it is most important that the area is made safe. Evacuate if necessary before calling a restoration professional. Depending on the extent of damage, the house may still be liveable. It is important to contact a restoration professional quickly, because the longer smoke & soot stay in the home, it is more difficult to clean and deodorize. Also, do not attempt to clean the fire or smoke damage yourself. Restoration professionals have scientific methods used to specifically clean different types of damage. You might make the cleaning job more difficult by using imprecise methods.