Why ask at all

Mitigation companies vary a lot. Some are careful about readings and selective removal; others remove more than needed or leave little paperwork behind. Because the work starts fast and often under stress, the questions you ask on the first call are your main chance to judge who you are dealing with.

Many restoration companies serving Lakewood are based elsewhere in the metro area, so travel time is worth asking about. Older Lakewood houses also raise specific issues, like asbestos testing and galvanized plumbing, that a company should recognize without being prompted.

On the first call

  1. Can someone come today, and realistically how soon could they reach my part of Lakewood?
  2. Do the technicians who will be at my home hold IICRC certification in water damage restoration?
  3. Will you take moisture readings throughout the affected area, including adjacent rooms and the level below?
  4. Will I get a written plan, a sketch with readings and photos before materials are removed?
  5. How do you handle possible asbestos in older flooring, ceilings or joint compound?
  6. Do you bill my insurer directly, and what will I be asked to sign authorizing that?
  7. If I want a different contractor for repairs, will you provide the documentation?

Answers that reassure versus answers that worry

Reassuring

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

Worrying

  • Proposes removal before taking readings
  • Cannot say what counts as dry
  • Dismisses testing as unnecessary in an older home
  • Pushes you to sign an assignment of benefits on the spot without explanation

After the call, before they arrive

  • Write down the name of the person you spoke with and what was promised.
  • Look up the business name and check that it is 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 make your decision with that information.

Is it reasonable to call more than one company?

Yes, when water is not actively spreading. For an active leak, start with whoever can respond appropriately and still ask these questions, then decide on repairs separately once things are stable.

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