Residential and commercial premises damaged by fire, water, mould, and other disasters are cleaned up, repaired, and restored by SERVPRO. The company was established in 1967 and has a nationwide network of franchises that provide emergency response and restoration services around the clock.
Advantage
- Quick response to emergencies
- Water damage restoration
- Good communication throughout process
Dis-advantage
- High costs for services
- Poor customer service experiences
- Issues with billing transparency
SERVPRO
SERVPRO is a national franchise that specializes in cleaning, restoring, and rebuilding residential and commercial structures. It began as a little painting company and has now expanded into a well-known network of locally owned and run franchises throughout the US and Canada. In addition to providing biohazard cleanup, odor removal, document and belongings restoration, and basic cleaning services, the organization specializes in handling damage caused by fire, water, storms, and mold. SERVPRO shows itself as a reliable partner for homeowners, businesses, and insurance professionals, especially those who need effective, professional property restoration, with its 24/7 emergency support.
ServPro’s Services
To help households and business property owners deal with various types of property damage, ServPro offers a broad range of cleanup and restoration services. The core areas that ServPro focuses on include:
- Water damage restoration
- Fire damage restoration
- Storm damage mitigation
- Mold remediation and removal
Customers can hire ServPro cleaners on a separate basis to handle additional tasks, or they can incorporate cleaning services in a restoration project. This work could include:
- Air duct and HVAC cleaning
- Odor removal
- Graffiti removal
- Viral pathogen cleaning
Even crime scenes, natural death situations, and locations with chemical or biological pollution that need hazmat help can be cleaned up by ServPro. Customers can use ServPro carpet cleaning services to get rid of ugly stains and foul smells from their homes. The company also offers much more routine cleaning services.
ServPro technicians can tackle many facets of the restoration process to bring a home back to its original condition after a devastating crisis:
- Remove and haul away debris such as damaged drywall and flooring
- Clean and decontaminate surfaces
- Store or protect personal belongings
- Dehumidify the affected area to remove moisture and prevent dangerous mold
- Remove smoke odors and soot
- Deep clean upholstery and carpets
Pricing and Cost
The nature of the damage and the amount of work needed will determine how much ServPro charges for cleanup and restoration. The company determines each job’s cost based on the people and equipment required to complete cleanup and remediation. The hourly labor charges for ServPro restoration services may include the time required to:
- Remove drywall, flooring, insulation, cabinetry, and other damaged materials
- Wrap furniture and personal belongings in protective plastic
- Disconnect washers, dryers, and other appliances
- Clean walls, floors, carpets, and upholstery
- Set up ServPro equipment, such as air scrubbers or dehumidifiers
- Monitor equipment performance
- Remove restoration equipment once the job has been completed
Additionally, each piece of equipment used throughout the restoration process is paid to customers based on the time it operates. Decontamination may also be necessary for certain ServPro restoration and cleanup tasks. For instance, spilling water from drainage backups may contain sewage that needs to be entirely removed from the house. For those services and any specific equipment needed for the cleaning process, such as HEPA-filtered air purifiers, ServPro will charge an additional fee.
Availability and Emergency Service
With over 2,000 branch locations nationwide, ServPro’s services are easily accessible to a large number of homeowners. The corporation says that its service region encompasses 90 percent of all U.S. ZIP codes, indicating a vast operational footprint. Furthermore, ServPro guarantees prompt, efficient service, stating that its professionals can address a service request in as little as 2 hours. The website does not clarify, however, whether the response time applies to the first interaction with a representative or to an in-home examination to begin evaluating damage.
For emergencies, including damage from severe storms, fires, or flooding, ServPro provides round-the-clock assistance in case homeowners are unable to wait to complete the standard quotation and scheduling procedures. It’s unclear exactly what this emergency service entails, how quickly ServPro specialists can respond to an emergency and repair damage to a home, and what additional costs may be charged for using these services. Even so, having that option may be a great relief to customers who want to begin fixing property damage and restoring their house as soon as possible.
How It Works
Many clients will contact ServPro in an emergency when time is of the utmost importance, even though the firm offers a wide range of cleaning services. For example, homeowners may need immediate cleanup to prevent mold from growing in their walls and flooring if standing water persists due to a water leak or a malfunctioning sump pump. To help homeowners rebuild as soon as possible, they may also wish to promptly repair fire damage to eliminate soot and smoke odors and remove any damaged materials. In these situations, homeowners can schedule an examination of the affected area and establish a scope of work by contacting the corporate call center or a nearby ServPro franchise.
ServPro will prepare a scope of work with a breakdown of the expenses necessary to remove damaged items, clean and disinfect surfaces, and return the area to its pre-damaged state, after assessing the impacted area and estimating the amount of work required for mitigation. If homeowners choose to hire ServPro’s services, they may be able to pay the entire cost themselves or ask their insurance company to cover it if their policy covers the mitigation work.
After the initial takedown work is complete, removing excess moisture or smoke odors from the house can take time; thus, water and fire damage restoration services could take several days to complete. In those circumstances, ServPro specialists will visit daily to assess the condition of the affected area and ensure that all equipment is operating as it should. Crew members will return to the residence to remove the equipment after the designated technicians confirm that the affected area has been thoroughly cleaned and decontaminated. At that time, clients can choose another contractor for that work or retain ServPro to perform any construction required to repair damaged walls and flooring.
Conclusion
You need assistance quickly when a crisis occurs, whether it’s water filling your basement, a kitchen fire, or mold growing behind the walls. SERVPRO has established a solid reputation for being accessible around the clock and acting fast to repair significant damage to homes and businesses. With more than 2,000 franchise locations across the U.S. and Canada, SERVPRO can handle everything from water and fire damage to mold removal, storm cleanup, biohazard cleaning, and even odor removal. Many customers appreciate the quick response times and the ability to manage both cleanup and rebuilding in one place.
