Get Help with Remediation and Avoid Scams
Recovering from flood and water damage frequently involves finding experienced help. Unfortunately, when disasters occur there are often offers for help that range from well meaning and uninformed to some that are downright scams. Below I have provided some information to help you protect yourself.
Mold Remediation Contractors doing business in the State of Texas must be licensed and comply with Texas State Regulations. You can search for a licensed mold remediation firm or contractor at: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/mold/profession.shtm
Mold Assessors doing business in the State of Texas must be licensed and comply with Texas State Regulations. You can search for a licensed mold assessor at: https://www.dshs.texas.gov/mold/profession.shtm
Water Damage and Flood Restoration Contractors are not required to have contractor's licenses in Houston. This just makes it a little easier for scam artists to demand a down-payment for work in advance, for work they never do. One way to help prevent being defrauded is to check the credentials of companies offering these types of services.
There are three organizations that offer certification for companies that have training for responding to water damage and flooding. They are the ICRA, IICRC, and RIA. These are the people that understand water damage and mold problems in buildings. The ones routinely working in southern states understand the unique problems that will be faced by buildings damaged by Hurricane Harvey.
When looking for a company to help you with your water damage recovery - look for one of these three certifications. It is important that you not assume a company displaying the logo is actually certified. Although these organisations try to ensure their logos are not misused, disasters like Harvey guarantee that some company's will imply they are certified when in fact they are not. It's easy to check - If you want a certified firm, go to the organization's web-site and use their consumer resources search site to make sure the people you are hiring truly do have the credentials you need them to have. If your internet is down - call the organization and double check if the firm truly has the certifications they claim.
Below I have listed for you the three organizations that offer for certifications for companies.
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The first organization is ICRA: http://www.icrassociation.org/consumer-services/member-search
or call 1-888-617-3266 ext. 302.
ICRA is made up of five US regions
The Society of Cleaning and Restoration Technicians is the ICRA regional organization that serves Texas and other southern states. https://www.scrt.org/find-a-pro/search-your-area
or call 800-949-4728.
During emergency flooding it is important to work with contractors that are familiar with the specific issues faced in your climate. SCRT Restoration Technician live and work in hot humid states and understand the special challenges faced trying to dry a building when the outdoor humidity is working against you.
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The Second Organization is IICRC: http://www.iicrc.org/locate-a-certified-professional/
or call 1-800-835-4624.
The IICRC is a nationally accredited, non-profit certification body that works to protect consumers from deceptive and unreliable companies in the cleaning, restoration and inspection industry. IICRC-Certified Firms and Technicians must meet industry standards to maintain their good standing.
In order to achieve IICRC-certified status, firms must meet a rigorous list of standards in business ethics and expertise. All IICRC Certified Firms must:
Present accurate information to consumers and conduct business with honesty and integrity.
Require a technician on all jobs who has been formally trained and passed all required tests.
Require a continuing education program to keep technicians up-to-date on the latest changes in the industry.
Maintain liability insurance to protect all parties in the event of an accident.
Maintain a written complaint policy and agree to Better Business Bureau or similar arbitration to resolve disputes, and accept the conclusions and recommendations of arbitration.
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The third organisation is RIA: http://www.restorationindustry.org/?page=FindACertifiedPro
or call 202-367-1180.
RIA members adopt and abide by the following Code of Ethics
"As providers of property damage restoration, remediation and cleaning services to the public, we subscribe to the following principles in our relationships with customers, employees and business associates:
To treat our customers and their property with care and respect.
To provide professional service in accordance with high standards of practice that will, where possible, restore the customer's property to its pre-damaged or pre-soiled condition.
To operate in a manner consistent with ethical principles and sound business practice.
To be proficient in our work through ongoing participation in education and training.
To provide our customer with accurate information concerning the scope of work required and its costs, maintaining strict impartiality in our professional opinions.
To disclose to the customer any connection we may have to their insurer or any other interested third party."
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I hope that this information helps you in your search for remediation help. You may also be interested in my other blog post about Ten Safety Tips after a Hurricane.