Who are the largest restoration companies?

When you experience a flood, a fire, or other damage to your home, it can be extremely stressful. Luckily, there is a wide range of companies on the market who can clean your home efficiently and professionally. While there are local companies that can do this, sometimes it’s better to go with the big national firms. These guys have extremely robust training, access to the latest technology, and have invested in their service.

This article will discuss some of the largest companies in the United States so that when disaster strikes, you’re informed, prepared, and ready to leap into action.

What to Look for in a Restoration Company

If the worst happens, and you need to hire a restoration company, it can often be tricky to know exactly what you should look for. There are a lot of companies out there, and knowing which ones are reputable and which ones are not is not always easy. However, there are certain things you should always look out for when choosing a restoration service. These include the following:

  • Certification. There are many different certifications out there, but the most reputable industry standard is from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC). The IICRC Certification can certify individual professionals as well as entire companies. The IICRC website has a directory of approved providers, so starting there is a good option.
  • Trade Memberships. The Restoration Industry Association is the professional body within the restoration industry. They provide ongoing professional development. A company that is a member of the RIA will be up to date on the latest techniques and technologies.
  • Licensed. Individual cities, counties, and states have specific requirements for restoration companies. A quick search online will let you know what licenses are required. Don’t be tempted to go with an unlicensed operator. It may be cheaper in the short term, but you’ll pay the price in the long term if the work is of poor quality.
  • Insurance. You should absolutely not proceed with any company or individual who cannot provide you with insurance certificates. A properly insured company will be covered if they damage some of your property.
  • Responsive. When the damage has been done, you need to act sooner rather than later. If a company you call cannot offer you service within an hour, then find someone else. Time is of the essence, so the faster the cleanup starts, the cheaper and quicker it will be.

Of course, things like local reputation and online presence can also tell you a lot about a company. Be sure to have a list of three companies ready at all times so that when you need cleanup, you don’t have to start the research process then. You’ll have the best restoration services ready to go. 

Restoration Companies

Here are some of the largest restoration companies:

911 Restoration

What sets 911 Restoration apart from its competitors is that it is a veteran-owned and operated company. Its origins lie in the world of carpet cleaning in Los Angeles, although it has since branched out into the world of broader restoration services and now operates in more than 120 locations throughout the United States. 911 Restoration specializes in water damage, fire damage, smoke damage (which not all restoration companies offer), and mold removal. They can also offer help with sewage and water pipes – again, a relatively niche offering for a restoration company.

Bio-One

As the name suggests, Bio-One is much more rooted in the cleanup of hazardous materials. It is arguably the number one biohazard and decontamination company in the country. If you have a cleanup job that involves chemical or biological materials, Bio-One is probably your best bet. Professionals at Bio-One specialize in things like mold removal, biohazard cleanup, as well as dealing with sewage leaks and spills. This means that they are often in high demand when there has been flooding or heavy rainfall.

DKI Restoration

DKI Restoration began life as Disaster Kleenup in 1974. However, since then, it has grown, and DKI now has more than 450 locations throughout the United States. This means that if you live in a relatively rural or suburban area, DKI is likely to have a branch near you (which is not always true of other restoration companies). DKI focuses on disaster restoration, meaning that they are experts in dealing with the fallout of fires and flooding. They are also able to offer help with mold remediation and biohazard services.

Duraclean

One of the things that makes Duraclean notable is its age – it has been in continuous operation since 1930. There aren’t a lot of restoration companies that are nearly 100 years old. Duraclean’s areas of expertise center on water and water damage restoration. This includes things like mold removal, carpet and rug cleaning, and tile and grout cleaning. In addition, Duraclean offers biohazard and sanitization services (both of which are usually needed after flooding). They can also clean water vents and ducts. Put another way, if you have a water-related problem, Duraclean can probably handle it.

Paul Davis Restoration

Paul Davis Restoration was formed in 1966 and is an extremely solid option if you need almost any restoration service. It offers water damage, fire damage, mold removal, and biohazard cleanup from 370 branches throughout the United States. All of the Paul Davis team members are required to be certified by the IICRC, meaning that they are abreast of the latest technologies and best practices. Paul Davis is a good option to have on hand because of the breadth of services on offer.

PuroClean

PuroClean is a relative newcomer compared with the other companies on this list; it was founded less than twenty years ago. The speed with which it has grown is indicative of a company that is extremely strong in its operations. It maintains a training academy for all franchisees and their employees to ensure that they are up-to-date with the latest technology and techniques and to ensure a uniform quality of service. PuroClean has a lot of expertise when it comes to sanitization and dealing with biological hazards.

Rainbow International

While many companies on this list are major players in the United States, Rainbow International is truly worldwide. It operates more than 300 branches in the United States and Canada and 400 branches globally. All Rainbow International technicians are IICRC certified, meaning you can be sure you’ll get professional service from experts. Rainbow International’s particular areas of specialization are water and fire damage, as well as mold remediation. In addition, it prides itself on being particularly strong when it comes to carpet cleaning services. Because of the number of branches they have, they are likely to have a location close to you.

Restoration 1

Again, Restoration 1 is a relatively young company, only being formed in 2008. However, they have 130 operations throughout the United States. Unlike other companies, the local branches are not franchises but independent owner/operator companies. Each location operates as a separate entity, although all are bonded, insured, and licensed. Restoration 1 prides itself on the training of its technicians, giving them expertise in water, fire, mold remediation, and biohazard removal services. Restoration 1 is an extremely solid option to call in almost any cleanup situation.

Servpro

Servpro is one of the largest restoration companies in the United States. It has been in existence since 1967 (making it one of the oldest restoration companies) and operates truly nationwide throughout the U.S. and Canada. Servpro has a broad range of offerings, providing professional support in the face of water and fire damage. Servpro was an industry leader in helping with the cleanup after Hurricane Katrina in 2004. In addition, Servpro is adept at dealing with mold removal and remediation. Servpro can also offer cleaning services for houses and commercial buildings.

Steamatic

Unlike almost all the other companies on this list, Steamatic is a foreign business. Formed and based in Fort Worth, Texas, Steamatic is now headquartered in Australia, although it has operations throughout the United States. One of the operational aspects that marks them as unique is that they have 24-hour callouts for emergencies in all of their locations. Although its origins were in carpet cleaning, it now offers a wide range of services from 60 branches. What marks it as unique is that all of its technicians hold licenses and certifications from the IICRC and RIA.

Ultimately, when it comes to restoration, it’s better to be prepared. Doing your research on which companies operate in your area, which ones have good local reputations, and which ones specialize in different areas is all simple preparation you can do in advance of any emergency. Writing these down and having them stored somewhere safe and accessible will mean that, when the worst does happen, you can leap into action. 

This time saved will be invaluable. It will mean that a trained professional is in your home within an hour, saving your property, your mental health, and your wallet. The above list of companies is an extremely strong place to start when it comes to looking for reputable experts who can do a professional job of getting you back on track.