When water damage hits your home, you're under stress, working against the clock, and being solicited by multiple companies at once. Making a poor hiring decision can cost you thousands of dollars more, leave your home with hidden moisture, or void your insurance claim.
This guide covers what to look for, what to avoid, and what questions to ask before you sign anything.
What to Look For in a Restoration Company
IICRC Certification
The Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) is the industry's gold standard. Look for technicians who hold WRT (Water Restoration Technician), ASD (Applied Structural Drying), and — for mold — AMRT (Applied Microbial Remediation Technician) certifications. You can verify credentials at iicrc.org. Without these certifications, you have no guarantee the work follows accepted scientific standards.
Guaranteed Response Time
Ask specifically: 'What is your response time guarantee to my area at 2am on a Saturday?' A company that can't commit to a specific timeframe — or hedges with 'usually 2-3 hours' — is not equipped for true emergencies. APT guarantees 60-minute on-site response throughout DuPage and Kane Counties, 24/7, 365 days a year.
Insurance Coordination Experience
Restoration projects often run $5,000-$20,000+. A company with no experience working with insurance adjusters can make or break your claim. Ask: 'Do you work directly with insurance adjusters? Will you provide documentation and communicate with my adjuster on my behalf?' The right company does this as a standard part of the job, at no extra cost.
Professional Equipment
Ask what drying equipment they use. Professional restoration requires industrial-grade dehumidifiers (not consumer units), high-velocity air movers, thermal imaging cameras for moisture detection, and professional moisture meters to verify drying goals. Companies that show up with rented consumer equipment or rely on 'fans and dehumidifiers from Home Depot' cannot achieve proper structural drying.
Written Estimate and Scope of Work
Never authorize work without a written estimate. It should specify exactly what work will be done, what materials will be removed vs. dried in place, what equipment will be placed and for how long, and the total projected cost. Any company that asks you to sign a blank authorization or refuses to provide a written scope is a red flag.
License, Bonding, and Insurance
Verify that the company is licensed as a contractor in Illinois, carries general liability insurance (minimum $1M), and has workers compensation coverage. Ask for a copy of their insurance certificate before work begins. If a worker is injured in your home and the company has no workers comp, you could be liable.
Red Flags to Avoid
Door-to-door soliciting after a storm
'Storm chasers' patrol neighborhoods after disasters looking for desperate homeowners to pressure into signing contracts on the spot. Legitimate restoration companies don't cold-knock on doors.
No IICRC certification or evasive answers about credentials
If a company can't give you certification numbers or gets defensive when you ask, move on.
Asking you to sign assignment of benefits (AOB) forms
An AOB transfers your insurance claim rights to the contractor, removing your ability to dispute costs or quality. It's legal in Illinois but commonly abused.
Pressure to decide immediately or 'before the damage gets worse'
Legitimate companies explain what needs to happen urgently (water extraction, yes) vs. what can wait for you to make an informed decision. Manufactured urgency is a sales tactic.
No written estimate or vague scope of work
If they want to start before you have anything in writing, say no.
Pricing that seems too low or too high without explanation
Extremely low bids often lead to change orders and add-ons. Extremely high bids may be inflated for insurance claims. Ask for itemized estimates.
Why APT Stands Out
What Our Customers Say
"I called three companies. APT was the only one who could give me a guaranteed response time and showed up with actual credentials. The others were vague. Made the right call."
Robert L. — Wheaton
"APT handled everything — the cleanup, the drying, AND the insurance claim. I didn't have to do any of the paperwork. That's what sets a professional company apart."
Jennifer P. — Naperville
"After seeing two other companies try to oversell unnecessary work, APT came in, assessed honestly, and did exactly what was needed. No upselling, no pressure. Earned my trust completely."
David C. — Elmhurst