Why ask at all

Mitigation companies vary a lot. Some take careful readings and remove only what they must. Others pull out more than needed or leave you with little paperwork. The work starts fast and usually under stress, so the questions you ask on the first call are your best chance to judge who you're dealing with.

Many restoration companies that serve Lakewood are based elsewhere in the metro, so ask about travel time. Older Lakewood houses also raise specific issues, like asbestos testing and galvanized plumbing, that a company should bring up without you prompting it.

On the first call

  1. Can someone come today, and how soon could they realistically reach my part of Lakewood?
  2. Do the technicians coming to my house hold IICRC certification in water damage restoration?
  3. Will you take moisture readings across the whole affected area, including the rooms next door and the level below?
  4. Will I get a written plan, a sketch with readings and photos before any material comes out?
  5. How do you handle possible asbestos in older flooring, ceilings or joint compound?
  6. Do you bill my insurer directly, and what will you ask me to sign to authorize that?
  7. If I hire a different contractor for repairs, will you hand over the documentation?

Answers that reassure, and answers that worry

Reassuring

  • Explains the readings and offers to show you the meter
  • Mentions dry reference readings and daily monitoring
  • Raises asbestos testing unprompted for a pre-1980s house
  • Gives you time to read the paperwork and call your insurer

Worrying

  • Proposes removal before taking any readings
  • Can't say what counts as dry
  • Waves off testing as unnecessary in an older house
  • Pushes you to sign an assignment of benefits on the spot with no explanation

After the call, before they arrive

  • Write down who you spoke with and what they promised.
  • Look up the business name and confirm it's registered with the Colorado Secretary of State.
  • Read recent reviews for patterns, not single complaints.
  • Tell your insurer which company is coming, and when.

Common questions

Does my insurer pick the mitigation company?

Some insurers suggest preferred vendors, but in most cases the choice is yours. Ask your adjuster whether using a particular company changes anything about the claim, and decide with that in mind.

Is it reasonable to call more than one company?

Yes, when the water isn't spreading. For an active leak, start with whoever can respond properly, ask these questions anyway, and decide on repairs separately once things are stable.

General information for Lakewood, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.