Have you ever had to decide on a restoration contractor following a fire loss for your home? Have you found yourself pondering the distinctions between an independent Fire Restoration Contractor and a contractor invited to your property by your insurance adjuster following a fire loss?

San Diego Restoration, Inc. is a highly specialized, independent contractor, with a singular focus on fire restoration. At SDRI, ensuring that owners can trust their restoration contractor holds great significance; in the words of Dion San Martin, an SDRI representative, "Your Most Trusted Restoration Contractor" is more than just a slogan.

“Following a house fire, property owners are thrust into the complex and often unfamiliar arena of property damage insurance claims. Upon meeting these individuals in the early stages of the claims process, it is evident that they are frequently uncertain and unclear about the appropriate course of action. Unfortunately, many homeowners are unaware of the best practices that should be implemented immediately after a fire loss, leading them to place their trust exclusively with their insurance adjusters. However, In my experience, this faith often results in the property and property owner receiving an inadequate level of care. “

“In many cases, the claims process commences with insurance adjusters inviting their preferred contractors onto the premises to estimate the damages. These contractors typically prompt the insured party to sign a "Work Authorization" form, which can be misleading and perceived as a contract or service agreement with an unknown, unverified contractor. Such authorizations might contain poor legal language that exposes the insured individual to significant risks, such as unexpected out-of-pocket expenses or direct payment to the contractor from the insurance carrier. Signing these documents initiates a hidden process of communication between the insurance adjuster and the preferred vendor, enabling the latter to take advantage of the insured party's lack of knowledge.”

“Most property owners lack the knowledge necessary to determine the best course of action following a fire loss. Given that the claims process moves swiftly, with adjusters often arriving just a few days after the loss has occurred, it is imperative that property owners understand their options in advance. A range of preferred vendors may suddenly appear, seeking authorization to commence repairs, carry out contents cleaning, and contents handling of the insured party's belongings. The insurance adjuster may quickly approve payments for a preferred restoration contractor initiate cleaning and moving contents off-site, neglecting to inform the insured party of their full range of benefits under their insurance policy.”

“As fire restoration practitioners, we convey best practices to the property owners, offering up-front explanations of our services without attempting to pressure them into hasty signing a work authorization with dense legal terminology. Our work authorization forms are simple and straightforward, outlining basic services to include, repair cost estimates, emergency services if required, and full project management services. We believe that by slowing down the process, we can empower the insured party with all the information they need to make informed decisions before the commencement of work. This provides clear insight into the cost of services and repairs, maximizing the effectiveness of the insurance benefits in repairing the property. We take the time to explain the proper process for fire restoration, rebuilding, and smoke remediation, which is usually not carried out adequately by the insurance company’s preferred vendors. In most cases, insurance adjusters only approve basic line items such as ozone and smoke-sealant, without removing the soot and smoke through techniques such as dry-ice blasting, hepa vacuuming, deodorizing, air scrubbing, and encapsulating with sealant. “

“Our process builds trust with the property owner, delivering immense value to both the property to be repaired and the owner. We often utilize the following questions and answers to help property owners comprehend their options and take control of the aftermath of a fire loss.”– Dion San Martin, SDRI

Question 1: Why choose an independent fire restoration company vs a franchise restoration company that works for the insurance company?

SDRI Answer: Choosing an independent fire restoration company over a franchise restoration company that works for the insurance company offers several advantages:

1. Unbiased Assessments: Independent restoration companies offer unbiased assessments, which means they are not influenced or controlled by insurance companies. This allows them to provide objective opinions about the extent of the damage and recommend the appropriate course of action without any outside influence.

2. Customer-focused Service: Independent restoration companies are typically more customer-service-focused. They prioritize your satisfaction and will work closely with you to ensure you get the best service and outcome. In contrast, franchise restoration companies that work for insurance companies often prioritize the interests of the insurance company over the customer.

3. Control Over the Restoration Process: An independent restoration company allows you to have more control over the restoration process. You are free to choose a restoration company that you trust and feel comfortable working with, rather than being limited to a network of franchise restoration companies that are pre-approved by the insurance company.

4. More Comprehensive Services: Independent restoration companies typically offer more comprehensive services than franchise restoration companies that work for insurance companies. They are generally more experienced and better equipped to handle a wide range of restoration needs, from emergency response to reconstruction.

Overall, choosing an independent fire restoration company can provide you with a more personalized and customer-focused experience, and greater control over the restoration process.

Question 2: Why are unbiased assessments beneficial when choosing a restoration company?

SDRI Answer: Unbiased assessments are beneficial when choosing a restoration company for several reasons:

1. Accurate Damage Assessment: When selecting a restoration company, it is essential to have an accurate assessment of the extent of the damage. An unbiased assessment ensures that the restoration company understands the full extent of the damage and can plan an effective restoration process.

2. Objective Recommendations: An unbiased assessment allows the restoration company to provide objective recommendations regarding the restoration process and the services required. This helps you make informed decisions about the services needed to restore your property, without being influenced by any outside factors.

3. Better Planning: An unbiased assessment will ensure that the restoration company plans a comprehensive and effective restoration process. The restoration company will have a clear understanding of the scope of the work required to restore your property, which helps them make an accurate cost estimate and timeline for the restoration process.

4. Improved Trust: Unbiased assessments help build trust between you and the restoration company. You can be confident that the restoration company is making recommendations based solely on their professional judgment and assessment of the damage.

Ultimately, an unbiased assessment will provide you with a more accurate understanding of the extent of the damage to your property, and help you make informed decisions about the services required to restore it. Working with a restoration company that provides unbiased assessments can also help you to feel more confident and trust in your choice of restoration company.

Ultimately, an unbiased assessment will provide you with a more accurate understanding of the extent of the damage to your property, and help you make informed decisions about the services required to restore it. Working with a restoration company that provides unbiased assessments can also help you to feel more confident and trust in your choice of restoration company.