What does a home remediation company do? A homeowner’s guide to disaster recovery.

Remediation vs. restoration company: What’s the difference?

When searching for a remediation company, you may see the words remediation and restoration used interchangeably, which can often be confusing. But these are actually two different steps in the post-disaster recovery process.

• Step 1: Remediation. This focuses on making your home safe after a disaster by removing or cleaning up hazardous conditions, like water, mold, or smoke.

• Step 2: Restoration. This is the rebuilding phase of the process that happens after the cleanup is done. It’s the process of repairing walls, floors, roofs, and other structural damage to bring your home back to how it was before the damage.

Put simply, remediation comes first, then restoration.

But here’s where the confusion can happen. Many companies market themselves as restoration companies, which usually means they offer both remediation and restoration services. However, you don’t have to use one company for the entire process. You may choose to hire one company for cleanup after the destruction and another to tackle the repairs.

For example, if you already have a contractor you trust or your home needs some sort of specialty work, such as custom fixtures or intricate crown molding, you may prefer hiring the remediation company for the cleanup and another to rebuild your home.

Ultimately, it depends on the extent of the damage and what you feel comfortable with. For smaller issues, like fixing a minor leak, a contractor may be able to handle the entire job. But if your home is badly damaged by something like a tornado or wildfire, you'll need to call in the remediation specialists who can safely do the job.

Learn more: How to insure your home against tornado damage

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Types of remediation services

From wildfires to tornadoes, each disaster is different and leaves varying damage in its wake. For this reason, each cleanup process is unique and usually requires a certain type of tools and expertise.

That's why some remediation companies focus on specific types of damage, like water or mold mitigation, while others offer a wide range of services. Some companies can even take on the entire recovery process, so you don't have to hire multiple professionals to handle the project.

By understanding the differences between each remediation service, you can hire the right company for your situation. Here are some of the most common services:

• Water damage remediation: This type of cleanup can include removing standing water, drying and dehumidifying the area, deep-cleaning carpets, and fixing plumbing issues after flooding or water damage.

• Fire and smoke damage remediation: After a fire, recovery can include cleaning soot and smoke residue, removing lingering odors, and filtering the air to make your home safe to live in.

• Mold mitigation and air quality services: Services for removing mold include treating areas so it doesn't come back, and cleaning air ducts to purify the air in your home.

• Storm and structural repair services: This process includes services like tarping and fixing roofs and siding, boarding up broken windows, and hauling off debris.

• Content remediation: To help salvage your damaged items like furniture, clothing, and electronics, some companies clean, repair, and restore them to their pre-damaged condition.

• Crime and trauma scene cleanup: This type of work involves safely removing biohazards like blood and pathogens, disinfecting affected areas, and deep cleaning the space to make sure it's safe to use again.

• Structural repairs and reconstruction: This service includes repairing and rebuilding the damaged parts of your home — like walls, floors, and roofs.

Learn more: How FEMA flood insurance works

How the remediation process works

Here’s a breakdown of how the remediation process works alongside your homeowners insurance:

• File a claim: Start by filing a home insurance claim and confirm that the damage is covered under your policy. Your insurance company may give you a list of preferred vendors that can help you with the recovery process. But remember, you’re typically free to choose your own.

• Document the damage: If it's safe, take photos and videos of everything that was damaged. This gives you supporting documentation you can share with the insurance adjuster to help back up your claim.

• Protect your home: If the remediation company isn't able to get to your home right away, you may need to take steps to protect your home from further damage. For example, if your windows are shattered after a storm, you'll need to board them up so rain or other damaging debris can’t get inside your home. Because many home insurance policies cover remediation costs (up to policy limits) after a disaster, make sure to keep any receipts for items you use to make these repairs. This way, you can turn them into your insurance company for reimbursement.

• Damage assessment: Once the restoration crew arrives, they'll inspect your home and map out a plan for repairs, including timing and costs.

• Clean and sanitize the space: The team will haul away anything that’s damaged, clean up the mess, and make sure the area is safe and free of any toxic or harmful substances like mold or bacteria.

• Restore your home: If you choose to hire the same team for the repair work, they’ll handle everything from fixing walls and floors to repairing the roof or wiring. But remember that you can always hire two different teams if that makes more sense for your situation.

• Final inspection: After the project wraps up, the remediation/restoration company will walk you through an inspection of the repairs and explain what was fixed. It’s also a good idea to conduct your own inspection, so you can make sure you’re happy with the finished repairs. If you're not completely satisfied with their work, ask them to make the necessary changes as soon as you discover them.

Learn more: How to get paid after a homeowners insurance claim

How to choose the right reputable restoration company

If your home insurance covers the damage, your insurer will likely recommend a preferred vendor to assist you with the cleanup and repairs when you file a claim. When you’re under pressure to get your home back to normal, going with their recommendation is often the easiest option, as long as you feel comfortable with this choice.

But keep in mind, no two restoration companies are exactly alike. So, if you're not in a hurry to find a company to help with the mess, carve out some time to compare remediation companies in advance. Finding a company with the right credentials, licensing, safety practices, and experience can make a big difference in your recovery process.

Here are some things to look for when comparing restoration and remediation companies:

• Check qualifications: Some companies only offer services for specific types of damage. For example, many handle water cleanup, but not all have the tools or training to do mold mitigation. So, if you’re researching companies before a disaster, choose one that covers the full range of services, or one for each specific type of remediation.

• Look for credentials: Although it’s not mandatory for companies to have certifications, holding one from the Institute of Inspection Cleaning and Restoration Certification (IICRC) or the Restoration Industry Association (RIA) shows that the company carries insurance, follows strict safety standards, and provides ongoing training for its staff. The same goes for licensing, which often depends on the type of recovery work and local or state laws. But choosing a company that’s licensed and certified can give you extra peace of mind that the job will be done right.

• Ask for referrals and check reviews: Reach out to your friends, family, or neighbors to see if they’ve worked with a remediation company they would recommend. It’s also a good idea to read the company’s online reviews to see how other customers rate their experience.

• Request quotes: Since pricing can vary, gather bids from a few companies so you can compare pricing and timelines before deciding who to go with.

Learn more: What does home insurance not cover?

Watch out for restoration scams

Unfortunately, when communities are in crisis mode, it leaves room for fraudsters to take advantage of vulnerable homeowners. In fact, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB), $9.3 billion was lost to post-disaster fraud in 2024.

In the wake of a natural disaster, scammers often pose as remediation or construction companies, promising fast and affordable repairs. But instead of following through on these promises, they may overcharge, leave jobs unfinished, or take your deposit and disappear without doing any work at all.

Learn more: How to shop for homeowners insurance in 5 steps

7 tips on avoiding disaster relief scams and fraud

The best way to avoid these schemes is to know what to watch out for and carefully vet any professional before hiring them to work in or on your home.

Here are some tips to help you avoid falling victim to restoration scams:

Tip 1

Coordinate repairs and construction with your insurance company so they can verify that the services are covered under your home insurance policy.

Tip 2

Find a licensed, insured, and well-reviewed contractor before anyone shows up at your doorstep offering to help rebuild your home.

Tip 3

Verify credentials and check reviews by looking up licensing and certification information and reading reviews on sites like the Better Business Bureau (BBB).

Tip 4

Get several quotes from different remediation and restoration companies so you can compare pricing and quality of work.

Tip 5

Request (and carefully review) a written contract that details the scope of work, the timeline, and the estimated cost.

Tip 6

Pay attention to potential red flags like if someone is being too pushy, not giving you straight answers, or they’re unwilling to put anything in writing. If something seems off, your best bet is to listen to your instincts.

Tip 7

Stay involved in the recovery process by asking for updates, taking photos, and keeping track of all communication with your contractor and insurance company regarding the repairs.

Expert advice: If you think you’ve been a victim of fraud, you can contact your local police department and the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) by calling 800-TEL-NICB (800-835-6422) or by filing a report online.

Home remediation companies FAQs

When should I call a remediation company?

As long as it’s safe to do so, you’ll want to contact a remediation or restoration company as soon as your home is damaged by a disaster, like a flood, fire, tornado, or mold.

Usually, if the damage is covered by your home insurance policy, your first step is to call your insurer to file a claim and confirm what’s included in your coverage. From there, your insurance company may recommend a remediation company, or you can choose one on your own. Either way, the sooner a professional can step in, the more damage you can prevent.

Does homeowners insurance cover remediation services?

In many cases, yes, as long as the damage was caused by an unexpected and accidental event that’s covered under your policy, such as a toilet overflow or a severe windstorm (up to policy limits). However, for some issues like mold, your insurance company usually won’t cover remediation if it resulted from a long-term problem or normal wear and tear, like a slow pipe leak. Before hiring a remediation company, make sure you understand your policy details so you know what’s covered and what’s not.

Learn more: How much homeowners insurance do you need?

What’s the difference between remediation and restoration?

Simply put, remediation and restoration are two steps in the home recovery and repair process. Remediation is the cleanup phase, which involves removing hazardous materials and making the area safe. Restoration, on the other hand, is the repair and rebuilding phase that begins once remediation is complete. Keep in mind that some companies may offer both services, while others may specialize in just one.

Jamie Young and Tim Manni edited this article.