Don't hire a restoration contractor until you've asked these questions. Protecting your home and your claim starts with choosing the right company.
When your home has been damaged by water, fire, or mold, you're often under pressure to act quickly — and that pressure makes it easy to hire the first contractor who shows up or calls you. But restoration work is complex, affects your home's structural integrity, and is deeply tied to your insurance claim. Choosing the wrong contractor can mean poor repairs, claim complications, and months of frustration.
Here are the most important questions to ask before signing anything.
"Are you licensed and insured?"
This is non-negotiable. Any contractor working on your home should carry:
- General liability insurance — protects you if they damage your property during work
- Workers' compensation insurance — protects you if a worker is injured on your property
- State contractor's license — required in both North Carolina and South Carolina for most residential work
Ask to see certificates of insurance, not just verbal confirmation. A legitimate contractor will provide these readily.
"Do you have IICRC certification?"
The IICRC (Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification) is the industry standard body for restoration contractors. Certified technicians have completed training in water damage restoration (WRT), applied structural drying (ASD), fire and smoke restoration (FSRT), or applied microbial remediation (AMRT).
IICRC certification means the contractor follows established protocols — not guesswork.
"Do you handle the entire project or will you subcontract?"
Some restoration companies handle emergency mitigation but then hand off reconstruction to a subcontractor you've never met. Others handle everything in-house. There are pros and cons to both, but you deserve to know:
- Who will be in your home
- Who is responsible for quality
- Who you call if there's a problem
A company that manages the full project — mitigation, drying, demolition, and reconstruction — reduces coordination complexity and accountability gaps.
"How do you handle the insurance claim?"
A good restoration contractor has experience working with insurance companies and can:
- Write estimates in Xactimate format (the industry-standard software adjusters use)
- Communicate directly with your adjuster
- Document damage in the way insurers require
- Supplement claims when hidden damage is discovered during demolition
Ask specifically: "Will you communicate directly with my insurance company or is that entirely on me?"
"How will you document the damage and drying process?"
For water damage especially, proper documentation is both legally important and necessary for a complete insurance claim. Ask:
- "How do you document moisture levels before, during, and after drying?"
- "Will you provide daily moisture readings?"
- "How will I know when the structure is confirmed dry?"
A contractor using moisture meters, thermal cameras, and daily readings is following IICRC protocol. A contractor who just "runs fans for a few days" is not.
"What is your response time for emergencies?"
If you have a water emergency at 2am, will they answer the phone? Will they dispatch immediately? Ask directly: "Are you available 24/7 and how quickly can you typically be on-site for an emergency in my area?"
"Can you provide references from similar jobs?"
Ask for references from homeowners who had similar types of damage — water damage, fire damage, roofing work. A five-minute call with a past customer can tell you more than any website.
"What is your warranty on repairs?"
Quality restoration work should be warranted. Ask what they warranty, for how long, and what the process is if you have a problem after the job is complete.
Red Flags to Watch For
- Door-to-door solicitation after storms — storm chasers travel to disaster areas, do quick work, and leave. Use local, established companies with a permanent presence.
- Pressure to sign immediately — legitimate contractors don't create artificial urgency.
- Asking you to sign over your insurance rights — be very careful with Assignment of Benefits (AOB) agreements. Consult with your insurer before signing anything that transfers your claim rights to a contractor.
- Unusually low bids — in restoration, you often get what you pay for. A bid far below others may mean shortcuts.
- No physical address or local presence — you need a company you can hold accountable.
Dark Sky Restoration is a local company based in Lake Wylie, SC. We're licensed, insured, IICRC certified, and have served homeowners throughout York County, Lancaster County, Mecklenburg County, and Gaston County. We handle everything from emergency response through final repairs and work directly with your insurance company. Call 704-960-3922.