When water damage strikes, panic often sets in. A broken pipe in the middle of the night, a leaking roof after a storm, or a flooded basement can leave homeowners and business owners wondering what to do first. The truth is, once water enters your property, the clock starts ticking. Within hours, moisture can seep into floors, wick into walls, and into furniture. Within days, mold can begin to grow.

That’s why knowing how to choose a water restoration company before an emergency happens is so important. With the right partner on your side, you can limit damage, avoid unnecessary costs, and restore your property quickly and safely. With the wrong company, you risk incomplete drying, hidden mold, denied insurance claims, and long-term structural and health problems.

This guide will walk you through the essential factors to consider, the questions you should always ask, and why Spangler Restoration has been the trusted choice for North Carolina homeowners and businesses for decades.

Why Choosing the Right Water Damage Restoration Company Matters

Water damage isn’t just inconvenient; it’s dangerous. A small leak can compromise drywall, flooring, and insulation. A flooded basement can ruin electrical systems. In just 24 to 48 hours, trapped moisture can lead to mold growth, which carries serious health risks for your family or employees.

Hiring the wrong company can actually make things worse. Some contractors claim to provide restoration services but lack the training, certification, experience, or equipment to do the job correctly;

• Failing to fully dry spaces leads to future mold problems.
• Excessive drying can cause damage to wood trim and finishes, while also resulting in inflated charges due to extended equipment run times and unnecessary unit counts.
• Removing materials unnecessarily increases costs.
• Struggle to properly document damage, leaving you at odds with your insurance provider.
• Lack the staff and resources to respond quickly, the time you can’t afford to lose.

The right company, however, restores more than your property, it restores peace of mind. Choosing wisely ensures your home or business is safe, healthy, and structurally sound.

Key Factors to Consider When Selecting a Water Restoration Company

1. Local Expertise and Fast Response

When disaster strikes, every minute counts. A company with local teams and offices can often be on-site within the hour, preventing additional damage, and is around the corner for warranty issues. Local knowledge also matters; weather patterns, building codes, inspectors, and insurance practices vary by region. A team rooted in your community will know exactly how to address these factors.

What to look for:

• 24/7 emergency availability.
• A guaranteed rapid response time.
• Offices located near your home or business for local scalability.

Red flag: 

Companies with minimal local staff who rely heavily on out-of-state subcontractors or franchise employees often face challenges in providing the same level of speed, accountability, and consistency. In addition, this approach typically adds extra costs to your bill, including daily per diem, lodging, and transportation expenses.

2. Certifications and Professional Training

Restoration isn’t just about drying carpets. It’s a highly technical process requiring training in water removal, structural drying, microbial remediation, and safety standards. The gold standard in the industry is IICRC certification (Institute of Inspection, Cleaning and Restoration Certification), CICTI Construction Infection Control Training Institute certifications in Healthcare, and NCLBGC governing & licensing NC General Contractors. Certified technicians follow science-based methods, infection control measures, use professional-grade instruments, and commercial equipment to ensure no moisture is left behind. They’re also trained to handle related issues like mold, fire, and storm damage, which is important, since water problems often overlap with other types of property damage.

What to look for:

• IICRC-certified staff.
• CICTI-certified staff in Healthcare. 
• NCLBGC- Licensed general contractors who can handle repairs as well as cleanup.
• Continuing Education training programs to keep staff up-to-date
• Years in business locally and how many locations within NC.

3. Comprehensive Service Offering

When your property is damaged, the last thing you want is to juggle multiple vendors. A full-service water damage restoration company will handle the process from start to finish:

• Emergency water extraction
• Moisture detection and structural drying
• Mold remediation
• Storm damage cleanup
• Odor removal
• Repairs and reconstruction
• Insurance documentation, estimates, code upgrades, and proceeds.

This seamless approach means you won’t have to coordinate contractors or worry about gaps in service. It also ensures accountability, as one company is responsible for the entire project.

Pro tip: Ask if they also provide content cleaning and storage services. Protecting your furniture, personal belongings, and business assets is just as important as restoring the building itself.

4. Insurance Knowledge and Claim Support

Dealing with insurance after water damage can be overwhelming. Proper documentation of the damage, detailed estimates, and clear communication with adjusters are essential for a successful claim.

A restoration company experienced in insurance processes can:

• Photograph, including thermal images, Matterport, moisture map, and document damages thoroughly.
• Provide accurate estimates that align with insurance guidelines, including code upgrades.
• Communicate directly with adjusters to avoid delays from the beginning by agreeing on the scope of work and any unforeseen changes that arise.
• Help you understand policy limits with adjuster communications.

Why it matters: Poor documentation can lead to claim denials or reduced payouts. The right company helps protect your financial interests.

5. Reputation and Reviews

In emergencies, trust is everything. One of the best ways to gauge reliability is by checking reviews, testimonials, and case studies. Look for companies with a history of serving your community and a proven record of professionalism.

What to look for:

• Positive Google reviews with detailed feedback.
• Testimonials from both residential and commercial clients.
• Case studies that show experience with situations similar to yours.

Red flag: A lack of online presence or negative reviews about delays, poor communication, or incomplete work. Companies with a low volume of work.

Smart Questions to Ask Before You Hire

Before hiring, take a few minutes to ask these important questions:

1. Are you certified in water, fire, and mold restoration?
   Certification ensures you’re hiring trained professionals who follow industry best practices.
   
2. What is your guaranteed response time for emergencies?
   Look for a company that offers 24/7 service and clear commitments on arrival times.
   
3. Can you share recent examples of similar projects? How many projects do you complete a year?
   Case studies, references, and the volume of annual jobs give you insight into their experience, results, and company size.
   
4. How do you assist with insurance claims?
   A strong partner will handle communication and documentation, reducing your stress.
   
5. What safety and compliance steps do you take during restoration?
   Safety should always be a priority, whether it’s mold remediation, structural drying, or handling biohazards.
   

Pro tip: Ask, “How many projects do you complete a year?” When a company has been established for many years and consistently completes thousands of jobs locally and statewide, rather than just a few hundred annually, it’s a strong indicator of stability, experience, and proven trust within the community.

Why Spangler Restoration is the Right Choice

Spangler Restoration has built its reputation on one simple promise: Because trust matters.

• Local Teams, Rapid Response: With offices across North Carolina, our teams are available 24/7 and can often be on-site within the hour and scale accordingly.
  
• Certified Expertise: Our IICRC-certified technicians, CICTI-certified managers, and licensed general contractors provide complete restoration services for water, fire, mold, storm, and more. Spangler brings 153 years of management expertise in the industry.
  
• Comprehensive Services: From water extraction to full reconstruction, we manage the entire process, start to finish, with documentation and transparent communication.
  
• Insurance Partnerships: We supply thorough documentation and progress updates to insurers as requested by you so your claim can be processed efficiently.
  
• Decades of Trusted Experience: As one of the largest locally privately owned restoration companies in the Carolinas, we’ve helped 27,000+ families and businesses recover from disasters.
  

Our clients choose us not just for our technical expertise, but for our compassion, professionalism, and reliability during stressful times.

Conclusion

Water damage can feel overwhelming, but being prepared makes all the difference. By understanding how to choose a water restoration company, you can act quickly and confidently when disaster strikes.

Remember these key takeaways:

• Choose a local, responsive team.
• Verify certifications and training.
• Look for a full-service provider.
• Ensure they have insurance expertise.
• Check reviews and reputation.

Don’t wait until the next storm or plumbing emergency to start your search. Save our number now, and know that when you need us, Spangler Restoration will be ready to respond day or night.