Guide · Hiring
How to choose a water damage restoration company in Michigan
In an emergency you'll hire the first company that answers. That's fine, as long as you ask a few questions and read what you sign.
Five questions before they start
- Are your technicians IICRC certified in water damage restoration? The IICRC sets the industry's cleaning and restoration standards and certifies technicians.
- Can I see proof of insurance? At minimum, general liability and workers' compensation.
- Will you take and share daily moisture readings? Drying should be documented with meter readings, not judged by touch.
- Do you bill my insurer directly, and what will I owe? Get the answer in writing before the equipment goes in.
- Do you do the rebuild too, or only the drying? Many companies only mitigate. Know whether you'll need a second contractor.
Read the paperwork
- Work authorization: gives permission to start emergency work. Normal and expected.
- Assignment of benefits: transfers your right to be paid by your insurer to the company. It can make billing easier, but it also means the company deals with your insurer directly, and disputes can involve you. Read it carefully before you sign.
- Direction to pay: tells your insurer to pay the company directly, without assigning the rest of your rights.
Red flags
- A crew that shows up uninvited after a storm and pressures you to sign that day.
- A demand for full payment up front.
- A refusal to give a written scope or estimate.
- No physical business address, or a name that doesn't match the paperwork or truck.
- Tearing out large amounts of material before documenting moisture readings.
Your cancellation rights
Michigan's Home Solicitation Sales Act lets you cancel a home solicitation sale until midnight of the third business day after you sign. The emergency exception is narrow: you must have asked for immediate work because of an emergency, and given the seller a separate, dated statement in your own handwriting describing the emergency and waiving the three days. A preprinted waiver in the contract isn't the same thing, so don't sign one under pressure. If you think a contractor has acted unfairly, contact the state attorney general's consumer protection office.
Licensing and registration
Michigan requires a residential builder or maintenance and alteration contractor license from LARA for most residential jobs of $600 or more, including roofing, siding, insulation, carpentry and basement waterproofing. You can look up a license on LARA's website. Local building departments issue the permits.