The restoration industry has changed significantly in recent years. As severe weather events, water losses, fires, and other property damage continue to create demand, more companies are entering the restoration market and existing companies are being purchased by private equity money.
More options and change can be a good thing. However, as the restoration industry continues to grow, property owners are seeing a wider range of companies entering the market. Newly established restoration companies may have limited industry experience, training, or resources, while private equity-backed firms may place greater emphasis on rapid growth, consolidation, and financial performance. For property owners and facility managers, this changing landscape makes one question increasingly important: How do you know the company responding to your loss has the experience, qualifications, and resources to handle it properly?
Restoration involves much more than extracting water, setting drying equipment, or removing damaged materials. Proper restoration requires training, experience, documentation, specialized equipment, and an understanding of established industry standards.
When a school, commercial building, or public facility suffers significant property damage, choosing an inexperienced or unqualified contractor can potentially create additional problems rather than solve them. An experienced restoration contractor has likely encountered unusual conditions before and understands how one decision can affect the next phase of the project. Experience matters when dozens or even hundreds of decisions need to be made quickly. That knowledge can be difficult to replicate through equipment purchases or short-term training alone.
When evaluating a restoration contractor, ask about the company’s qualifications, not just how quickly they can arrive. One designation worth looking for is an IICRC Certified Firm. The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) develops industry standards and administers certification programs for restoration professionals. There is also an important difference between an individual holding a certification and the company itself being an IICRC Certified Firm. When evaluating contractors, property owners should understand which credentials are held and by whom. According to the IICRC, Certified Firms must meet established requirements, including maintaining appropriate insurance and having qualified certified technicians associated with the firm.
Before a property disaster occurs, property owners and facility managers should consider asking prospective restoration partners the following questions:
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- Are you an IICRC Certified Firm?
Ask which certifications the company and technicians maintain. - How long have you performed restoration work?
Ask specifically about experience with losses comparable in size and complexity to your property. - Can you handle both mitigation and reconstruction?
Understanding capabilities ahead of time can help reduce handoffs and delays during recovery. - How do you document a water loss?
Professional restoration should include appropriate moisture monitoring and project documentation, not simply equipment placement. - Do you have experience with occupied or complex commercial facilities?
Schools, offices, healthcare environments, multifamily properties, and public buildings can require additional coordination and planning. - Can you provide references?
Past performance can tell you a great deal about how a contractor responds when the pressure is on.
- Are you an IICRC Certified Firm?
At The Gerloff Company, restoration isn’t a new service we added because the market grew, it’s what we’ve been doing since 1985. For more than four decades, our team has responded to water, fire, storm, and mold losses across Texas. The Gerloff Company is an IICRC Certified Firm, with team members who have earned advanced IICRC designations, including Master Water Restorer, Master Fire & Smoke Restorer, and Master Textile Cleaner. That experience matters when the unexpected happens.
